Out For Democracy

Which Presidential Candidate is Winning over Web Activists?

As 2004 showed, internet activists, bloggers, and netizens can play an incredibly important role in campaigns. So it's only natural to ask - which presidential candidate is winning over web activists? Obama, Clinton, and Edwards appear to have relatively equal traffic to their sites. Obama currently holds the highest Alexa Rating, which is based on web traffic going back several months. In the past week however, John Edwards came out on top.

Obama and Edwards have both gotten another important web nod. They were the top two candidates in an online poll sponsored by Democracy for America, the grassroots organization that is the legacy of the Howard Dean 2004 Campaign.

John & Elizabeth Edwards on 60 Minutes

Sex and Gender in HIV/AIDS Research: Take Action!

Three Washington DC Community Advisory Boards for HIV/AIDS Research have written a joint letter addressing sex and gender data collection in HIV/AIDS research. The letter is being posted online for one month so that interested CABS and community members can sign-on. All sign-ons must be received by May 11th. The letter will then be submitted to the Cross-CAB Working Group for NIH NIAID Division of AIDS (DAIDS) funded HIV/AIDS Research.

The three CABs are: The Capital Area Vaccine Effort which serves as the community CAB for the NIH Vaccine Research Center, The Georgetown University Medical Center CAB which is part of the AIDS Clinical Trials Group, and the Washington VA Medical Center CAB, which is part of the International Network for Strategic Initiatives in Global HIV Trials.

Most researchers have come to realize that the term 'sex' refers to birth sex or biological sex; and that the term 'gender' refers to someone's gender identity. This was discussed in detail at the Forum for Collaborative HIV/AIDS Research meeting on Sex and Gender, which I attended back in 2003. I guess I thought that since the meeting was co-sponsored by the CDC and the NIH that we would all be on the same page going forward. Sadly, their continues to be significant discrepancies across networks in how data on sex and gender is collected.

All we are really asking is for DAIDS to get their act together and collect data on sex and gender in a consistent and appropriate manner. This is the right thing to do for everyone, but it is particularly important for the transgender community.

You can find out more by clicking here. I hope that you will join us by signing on to the letter either as an individual or as an organization.

The New Gay Wedge Issue

The New Gay Wedge Issue
Republican Presidential Candidates Run to the Closet

In 2004, a Republican controlled Congress attempted to use the least widely supported gay rights issue (marriage equality) as a wedge to divide the Democratic vote. But in 2008, a Democratic Congress will tackle the most widely supported gay rights issue (employment discrimination), deepening a growing divide in the Republican Party.

The 2008 Republican primaries are here, and this time around it’s not just the gay Republican staffers who are running back into the closet. Republican presidential candidates are squeezing in with them.

John McCain once denounced Jerry Falwell as “an agent of intolerance on the right”. Now McCain is working hard to gain Falwell’s approval. He recently spoke at Falwell's Liberty University.

Mit Romney once promised in a 1994 campaign to co-sponsor the federal Employment Non-discrimination Act and to support nondiscrimination protections for gay people in the area of housing and credit. Now, he says he's changed his mind on these issues.

Rudy Giuliani has a strong record of supporting LGBT Americans, including support for civil unions for same sex couples. Even he, however, is shying away from his LGBT track record. These days Giuliani's main talking point on LGBT issues is his opposition to marriage equality.

Sadly, all three of these Presidential candidates are distancing themselves from their own records on LGBT equality in an attempt to gain Republican primary voters.

It’s not working. Religious right voters are looking for a true believer.

The religious right were fooled in 2004. Sure, top ministers like Rev. Ted Haggard got regular conference calls with the White House, but he may say the right things, George Bush clearly does not share their beliefs. Beltway insiders know he only hates gay people as much as is politically necessary. Behind the scenes same-sex couples are given the same treatment as married couples at White House affairs. Domestic partners are treated the same as spouses at swearing in ceremonies. To add insult to injury the Bush twins attended a same-sex wedding. Bush himself has refused to say a single negative word about the Vice President’s lesbian daughter Mary Cheney, or her decision to have a baby. And what about those weekly conference calls? It’s been widely reported that White House staffers joke about the backward views of those ministers afterwards.

And it doesn’t stop with George Bush. The Mark Foley scandal called attention to the fact that many of the elected Republicans who vote anti-gay, hold no such personal beliefs. The former chair of the Republican Party, Ken Mehlman is widely rumored to be gay.. Many key republican staffers have also been ‘outed’. Still, many Republicans stand by their gay staff. Even Rick Santorum pledged during his campaign not to discriminate in his office. He quickly rescinded the pledge in a press release however, when he realized how much it angered the religious right.

And this is only the beginning.

In 2004, a Republican controlled-congress attempted to use the least widely supported gay rights issue (marriage equality) as a wedge to divide the Democratic vote. Ironically in 2008, a Democratic controlled congress will tackle the most widely supported gay rights issue (employment discrimination), deepening this growing divide in the Republican Party. It's the new gay wedge issue.

Now obviously the important distinction is that Republicans forced a vote on marriage equality strictly for political gain. Democrats are not wasting the country’s time in this manner. Rather, the movement to end workplace discrimination is a widely supported cause. The effect it will have on the Republican Party in 2008, however, is eerily similar to the effect marriage equality had on the Democratic party in 2004.

This debate will likely be debated in Congress while the Republican primaries are in full-swing.

Across the board, Republican Presidential candidates will be forced to state their positions on this simple question: Is it ok to fire someone simply because they are gay or lesbian?

You can guess how Sam Bownback. This Republican candidates is trying to challenge the current frontrunners by appealing to the growingly discontended extreme right of the Republican Party. But what about Giuliani, Romney, and McCain,? Will they stand with majority of Americans who oppose workplace discrimination, or will they stand with the religious right?

Democratic Presidential candidates are united in their support of equality in the workplace, but this issue is likely to split the Republican candidates down the middle. Welcome to the new gay wedge issue.

Gay Democratic Party Activists Back Edwards

Two established Democratic and LGBT leaders have come out in support of 2008 presidential candidate John Edwards. Both men plan to be actively involved in the Edwards campaign.

Eric Stern has served as both the Executive Director of the Stonewall Democrats, and former Director of LGBT Outreach for the Democratic National Committee. Stern writes on the Edwards website "I initially was inspired to enter the field of activism and politics because of my desire to advocate for disdvantaged communities. John Edwards is the only presidential candidate who has a demonstrated committment to the social justice issues about which I care so deeply."

David Mixner is a long time political strategist, advocate, and activist. He has played important roles in over 75 campaigns, including Bill Clinton's first presidential campaign. Mixner is a former national co-chair of the Victory Fund. Mixner recently told the New York Observer "This is probably the first election in a while that LGBT issues are not what I'm voting on. It's the first election where other issues are coming to the fore."

Clinton and Obama Clarify Positions on Morality

Stonewall Democrats Press Release

Washington, DC - Today, the National Stonewall Democrats recognized statements issued on Thursday by Senators Hillary Clinton (D-NY) and Barack Obama (D-IL) which clearly stated that sexual orientation is not linked to morality. The organization also urged all Democratic candidates to speak positively on issues that impact lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) Americans within their campaigns and before the American public.

"We appreciate the strong statements from Senators Clinton and Obama following the aggressive campaign undertaken by our members, donors and staff over the last several days," said Jo Wyrick, Executive Director. "Most Democrats understand that morality isn't derived from sexual orientation or gender identity. Democrats should also understand that our families must no longer be seen as a liability on the campaign trail, but as positive partners within the American community. Our members aggressively communicated that message to both campaigns this past week. We now look forward to helping all of our Democratic candidates further engage our community and better vocalize their support for all Americans, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity."

This week, Senators Clinton and Obama were each asked by reporters whether homosexuality was immoral following comments by Marine General Peter Pace, Chairman of the Join Chiefs of Staff, which indicated that. At the time, both Senators declined to answer the question.

National Stonewall Democrats, in response, initiated an internal effort to mobilize leaders and donors close to both Senators to lobby the campaigns on this issue. Stonewall also directly contacted each campaign and initiated a media effort this week with appearances on national television, radio and in print publications in an effort to talk about morality and Democratic values and to persuade both Senators to clarify their positions.

Yesterday, Senators Clinton and Obama each issued statements which strongly declared their beliefs regarding sexual orientation and individual morality.

"I've heard from a number of my friends, and I've certainly clarified with them any misunderstanding that anyone had, because I disagree with General Pace completely. I do not think homosexuality is immoral." - Statement of Senator Hillary Clinton

"I do not agree with General Pace that homosexuality is immoral. Attempts to divide people like this have consumed too much of our politics over the past six years." - Statement of Senator Barack Obama

Both Senators also reaffirmed their opposition to the current "Don't Ask, Don't Tell, Don't Pursue" policy employed by the military.

Congressman Marty Meehan (D-MA) has recently introduced the Military Readiness Enhancement Act that would revoke the current policy on gay personnel. The removal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell, Don't Pursue" policy is supported by leading Democrats and is the official position of the Democratic Party as espoused in the 2004 platform of the Democratic National Convention.

But What Does Obama Really Think of Me?

Today Barack Obama (and Hillary Clinton) failed to answer a very basic question: 'Do you think being gay is immoral?'. Here's the scoop from Newsday:

Newsday caught Obama as he was leaving the firefighters convention and asked him three times if he thought homsexuality is immoral. Answer 1: "I think traditionally the Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman has restricted his public comments to military matters. That's probably a good tradition to follow." Answer 2: "I think the question here is whether somebody is willing to sacrifice for their country, should they be able to if they're doing all the things that should be done." Answer 3: Signed autograph, posed for snapshot, jumped athletically into town car. Why the dance? Maybe it has something to do with not wanting to alienate moderates -- or social conservatives, the churchfolk who view homosexuality as a sin.

Hillary Clinton wins Dolphin Dems Straw Poll

New York Senator Hillary Clinton topped the field in the Dolphin Democrats straw poll of 2008 presidential contenders, winning 57.6 percent of the vote.

Illinois Senator Barack Obama was a distant second with 13.2 percent of the vote, and former senator John Edwards and former vice president Al Gore tied for third place, each winning 11.9 percent of the vote.

The unscientific straw poll was conducted Saturday and Sunday at PrideFest by the Dolphin Democrats, Broward's GLBT (gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender)Democratic club. The Dolphin Democrats are chartered by the Florida GLBT Democratic Caucus, an arm of the Florida Democratic Party.

The Dolphin Democrats are one of the largest Democratic clubs in the state. History tells us that whoever wins Florida in November 2008 will be elected president. And with more than a million gay and lesbian voters in Florida, more than 70 percent of them Democrats, the GLBT community has an important role to play, Dolphin Democrats president Amy Shoosmith said.

Browards GLBT community is a cross-section of the Democratic constituency across the state. While our poll is an unscientific assessment, it is a solid snapshot of where the 2008 presidential contest is right now.

Full results of the poll follow:

Candidate Votes Percentage

Hillary Clinton 140 57.6%
Barack Obama 32 13.2%
John Edwards 29 11.9%
Al Gore 29 11.9%
Bill Richardson 5 2.1%
Wesley Clark 3 1.2%
Joe Biden 2 0.8%
Others 2 0.8%
Dennis Kucinich 1 0.4%

Obama & Snow Introduce Important HIV Prevention Research Legislation

This week Senator Barack Obama (D-IL), Olympia Snowe (R-ME), introduced the Microbicide Development Act of 2007.

“It is time to speak the truth and acknowledge the facts,” stated Senator Barack Obama. “It's women who are biologically and socially more susceptible to the HIV infection, in part as a consequence of biology, but mostly because of uneven power between the sexes around the world. It is a fact that marriage is no protection from HIV transmission for women.”

The Microbicide Development Act would establish a dedicated microbicide research and development branch at the National Institutes of Health and strengthen microbicide activity at the U.S. Agency for International Development and the Centers for Disease Control. Regarded as one of the most promising new technologies to address the HIV/AIDS pandemic, microbicides are a class of products currently under development that women could use to prevent transmission of HIV and other infections.

While microbicide research focuses on vaginal microbicides for women, research is also being done on rectal microbicides, which if developed, could be an important HIV prevention tool for gay men. Advocates stressed the importance of new preventions tools for women, however, introducing the legislation on International Women's Health Day

“Passage of this bill will bring us closer to the goal of getting critical prevention tools into the hands of women,” stated Lori Heise, Director of the Global Campaign for Microbicides. “Current prevention options are simply not enough. We need user-initiated HIV prevention strategies that take into account women's real needs and vulnerabilities.”

Women and girls are increasingly affected by HIV/AIDS in every region of the world. Worldwide, more women are getting infected with HIV than men - the majority by their male partners. In sub-Saharan Africa, nearly three quarters of young people ages 15-24 living with HIV are women.

“This is not just an issue for women in developing countries,” notes Dazon Dixon Diallo, founder/CEO of SisterLove, Inc. “We need microbicides right here at home too, because many of the issues that place black women at risk are the same the world over. AIDS is the number one cause of death among African American women aged 25-34.”

Hillary Clinton Speaks at HRC Event

This week, Senator Hillary Clinton (D-NY) delivered the keynote address at a luncheon of more than 400 board members, staff and supporters of the Human Rights Campaign, the nation's largest gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender civil rights organization.

The Human Rights Campaign also extended invitations to former Senator John Edwards, Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) and former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani. All three were unable to attend due to scheduling conflicts.

Governor Bill Richardson is scheduled to deliver the keynote address at this year's Human Rights Campaign Los Angeles Gala Dinner to be held on March 24, 2007. For more information on the Los Angeles dinner, please visit: www.hrc.org

The Human Rights Campaign has not made any endorsement or taken a position on any potential 2008 presidential candidates. Invitations are extended to candidates of both parties. The Human Rights Campaign has a thorough vetting process for political candidates and when any possible endorsement is made that information will be released publicly.

Ann Coulter Sinks to New Low

David Mixner: Don't Count Out Edwards

In a recent blog post David Mixner comments on a 2008 election poll which places Edwards in the lead in Iowa:

Though we’re still 11 months away, the message of this poll is clear: Don’t underestimate John Edwards. Also, we should look out for Iowa polls over the next several weeks as the Big Three duke it out for Tom Vilsack’s supporters.

Meanwhile, it’s important to note that the nasty dustup between the Clinton and Obama camps this week does not bode well for either campaign. Remember that in 2004, Dick Gephardt and Howard Dean were frontrunners in Iowa until they went after each other tooth and nail. The voters, tired of the cut-throat campaigning, placed Kerry and Edwards at the top of the ballot."

If you've never checked out David Mixner's Blog, be sure to add it to your list. David has been a highly regarded leader in American politics and international human rights for over 40 years. He writes daily from Turkey Hollow, his mountain top home in upstate New York.

Will Hillary Introduce Senate DADT Legislation?

Yesterday, Congressman Marty Meehan reintroduced the Military Readiness Enhancement Act, which would repeal the 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' policy in the House. But the question remains, who will introduce the legislation in the Senate? Hillary Clinton comes to mind for two reasons. First, she has been mentioning this issue on the campaign trail. Second, she serves on the Armed Services Committee.

And what does Congressman Marty Meehan think? The Edge Reports.

Asked who he might ask to introduce the Senate bill, Meehan said several Democratic members have expressed support, including Massachusetts colleague Ted Kennedy and Russ Feingold of Wisconsin. Hillary Clinton of New York has said she supports lifting the ban while campaigning for the Democratic presidential nomination. Kennedy and Clinton serve on the Armed Services Committee.

Hillary, we are counting on you to be a leader on this issue! Don't let us down.