Out For Democracy

Howard Dean: DOMA is Unconstitutional

from WCAX News: New Hampshire Governor John Lynch says he will sign a bill making civil unions legal in the Granite State.

Vermont was the first state to do so under then Governor Howard Dean. Last week Dean said he's proud of New Hampshire for following suit and says it's a debate that should happen at the state level. "You know I don't think marriage or civil unions are national issue. I think the defense of marriage act is unconstitutional. Clearly the states have the right to make these kinds of decisions about benefits and legal relationships and that's always been the way it is. I think there should be less federal regulation not more," Dean said.

College Dems Take a Stand for Marriage Equality

"...the College Democrats of New York have coordinated with Empire State Pride and Soulforce to plan a New York Marriage Ride, which will take place from July 14 to 27, serendipitously dovetailing with the College Democrats of America National Convention in South Carolina. Gay marriage resonates particularly strongly with College Democrats of New York. As part of a younger demographic that grew up familiar with gay and transgender issues, College Democrats consider themselves more likely to view marriage equality within a civil rights framework."

continue reading here.

Statement from Senator Clinton on Iowa Discrimination Bill

"I applaud the Iowa State Legislature for their efforts to end discrimination and make the state more welcoming. I've supported similar legislation in the US Senate because too many Americans suffer as a result of bigotry, and I believe this legislation will help reinforce our fundamental belief in equality and justice for all. As President, I will work with Congress to echo the clear message of fairness Iowa's leaders sent today."

John Edwards Statement On New Hampshire's Recognition Of Civil Unions

Senator John Edwards released the following statement today on New Hampshire's recognition of civil unions.

"Today, Gov. Lynch and the state of New Hampshire showed us that the idea of America -- fairness, justice and equal opportunity -- can become a reality when we have the courage to stand up for what is right. New Hampshire's decision to recognize civil unions and grant gay and lesbian couples the same rights granted to heterosexual married couples is an important step in the fight for justice. This is an issue of fundamental fairness, and by passing this law, New Hampshire's leaders chose fairness over discrimination."

DNC Chair Howard Dean on the introduction of ENDA

Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean issued the following statement applauding the introduction of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA), which would prohibit employment discrimination based on an employees' sexual orientation or gender identity:

"Today, Democratic leaders in the House took a strong step forward in the march to create a more fair and just society. For too long, qualified, hardworking Americans have been denied job opportunities, fired or faced discrimination in the workplace based solely on their sexual orientation or gender identity. Current law does not prohibit this heinous brand of discrimination. The Employment Non-Discrimination Act would end this injustice by making it illegal to fire, demote or discriminate against an employee solely based on these characteristics.

"Not only is employment discrimination an affront to justice, it is profoundly un-American. The right of every American to earn a living and make his or her contribution to our society is a fundamental American value, one at the very core of the American Dream. I am proud to lead a Party that is putting our commitment to this ideal into action. While Bush Republicans have spent the last six years scapegoating our friends and family in the LGBT community for partisan gain, Democrats have already introduced legislation to protect thousands of Americans from hate crimes, and are now working to ensure equal rights in the workplace for all Americans. I urge lawmakers in both houses of Congress to pass these critical bills, and for President Bush to swiftly sign them into law."

Another LGBT News Item Absent from Clinton Website

Hillary Clinton's campaign sent out this press release last week in which she commens Governor Lynch and the New Hampshire legislature for leadership on civil unions.

Clinton states: "New Hampshire has a long history of protecting its citizens from discrimination, and I would like to commend Governor Lynch and the New Hampshire legislature for their commitment and support for the civil rights of gays and lesbians."

Great quote, right? Still, I can't help but notice that much like Hillary's recently announced list of LGBT supporters, this press release is conspicuously absent from the list of recent press releases on the official Hillary Clinton website. Why is it that of all the twenty-plus press releases sent out his month, this is the one that doesn't make it on the website? Why is it, for that matter, that the word 'gay' cannot be found anywhere on the Hillary Clinton website?

Hillary Clinton is saying the right things to LGBT press, and to LGBT audiences. It's what she's NOT willing to say about us to mainstream audiences that's got me worried.

Hillary Clinton: Allow Gay Soldiers To Serve Openly

Hillary Clinton is quoted in the Des Moines Register today stating clearly that gay troops should be able to serve in the U.S. Military.

Hillary Clinton states: "Right now, we are discharging soldiers - at a time when we don't have enough people to do the missions we need around the world - because they're gay. Not because they've done anything, but just because they're gay."

Read the whole article here

Published April 23, 2007

Clinton: Allow gays to serve openly

By TONY LEYS
REGISTER STAFF WRITER

Decorah, Ia. - Gay troops should be able to serve in the U.S. military
without hiding their sexual identity, Sen. Hillary Clinton said here
Sunday.

Clinton said it's time to drop the "don't ask, don't tell" policy,
which began when her husband, Bill Clinton, was president. The policy
says that gays may serve in the military if they keep their
homosexuality secret but that they can be tossed out if they don't.

"Right now, we are discharging soldiers - at a time when we don't have
enough people to do the missions we need around the world - because
they're gay. Not because they've done anything, but just because
they're gay," she said.

Clinton, one of the Democrats' leading presidential candidates, quoted
the late Sen. Barry Goldwater, a conservative Republican who supported
the rights of gay troops: "I think the question should be not whether
you are straight, but whether you shoot straight."

Clinton spoke about the issue in response to a question from the
audience during a campaign visit to Luther College. She also said she
supported the right of gay Americans to join in civil unions, though
she did not mention the more controversial idea of gay marriage.

The New York senator touched on numerous topics during a "town hall"
talk before about 1,000 people in northeast Iowa.

Clinton noted Sunday was Earth Day, and she said Americans need to
move quickly to stop global warming.

"Some of the damage that has been done, we didn't know about. We
didn't understand," she said. "But now we do, and we have no excuses
left." She said she favors capping greenhouse-gas emissions and
financing alternative-energy research with money now going to
subsidize oil companies.

Clinton criticized the Bush administration on numerous fronts,
including education, taxation and the Iraq war. She described "a
heartbreaking development," in which former allies have turned away
from the United States because of President Bush's overbearing
approach to diplomacy.

She also spoke about the need for universal health care, noting that
she led an effort to create such a system when her husband was
president.

Audience member Rita Tejada brought her daughters - Lara, 9, and Rita
Marie, 11 - to see someone who might become the nation's first female
president. Tejada said Clinton should stress the health care issue
more. The Luther College Spanish teacher said that the subject will be
among the most crucial in the election and that Clinton has the best
chance of achieving universal health care. "She has the experience
from before," Tejada said.

Dick Guilgot of Decorah said he probably will support Clinton. "I
think she's the best, common-sense, moderate Democrat," he said.

Guilgot believes Clinton could win both the nomination and the general
election, although he acknowledged some Democrats' fears that she
would turn off too many independents. "I think it's going to be a
challenge," he said. "There's a negative factor she can't deny."

Reporter Tony Leys can be reached at (515) 284-8449 or tleys@dmreg.com

The Politico's Ben Smith on Hillary's LGBT Supporters

Ben writes "I don't mean to be paranoid, but when Hillary Clinton gives a speech to a gay group, it's closed press and announced only after the fact. When she releases a list of gay supporters, it goes solely to the gay press. (On, to be fair, the Blade's request.) Edwards had sent a similar list to his main press list.

How openly Democrats embrace gay support, and how comfortable they are talking about gay rights in front of general audiences, still seems to vary a bit."

Read more at the Politico

LGBT Leaders Endorse John Edwards

from the Edwards campaign

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 10, 2007

NATIONAL LGBT LEADERS ENDORSE JOHN EDWARDS FOR PRESIDENT

Chapel Hill, North Carolina - The John Edwards for President campaign announced today that prominent LGBT leaders from across the country endorsed Senator John Edwards for President.

"I am honored to have the support of so many well-respected LGBT leaders," said Edwards. "They work hard every day to make our country a better place and I am proud to join with them to fight for equal rights for all Americans."

The following LGBT leaders endorsed Edwards for President:

- Skip Paul, Corporate Executive

- Darren Star, TV Producer

- Julie Johnson, Human Rights Campaign Public Policy Committee Co-Chair

- Eric Stern, Former National Stonewall Democrats Executive Director; Former Democratic National Committee LGBT Outreach Director

- David Mixner, Former Bill Clinton for President Adviser; LGBT activist, fundraiser, author www.davidmixner.com

- Dennis Erdman, TV Producer/ Director

- Mary Snider, Human Rights Campaign Board of Directors Executive Committee Member

- David Tseng, Kerry-Edwards 2004 National LGBT Advisory Committee Co-Chair; Former Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) National Executive Director

- David Mariner, Former Out for Howard Dean Co-Chair; Founder,
www.outfordemocracy.org

- James Duff, TV Producer

- Ramon Gardenhire, National Stonewall Democrats Black Caucus Co-Chair;
Former DNC LGBT Deputy Outreach Director

- Scott Benson, Majority Leader Minneapolis City Council

- Shane Larson, AFL-CIO Pride @ Work National Executive Board Member;
Association of Flight Attendants (AFA)-Communications Workers of America
(CWA) Government Affairs Director

- Scott Wiener, Human Rights Campaign Board of Directors Member; San Francisco Democratic Party Chair* (for identification purposes only)

- Jeff Gardner, Garden State Equality Vice Chair; New Jersey for Democracy Co-Chair

- Lynne Wiggins, Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network (GLSEN) National Leadership Council Member; Former Human Rights Campaign Board of Governors Member

- Ken Keechl, Broward County Commissioner; Former Dolphin Democrats
President

- Linda Elliott, Human Rights Committee Board of Directors Member

- Dave Garrity, Former Democratic National Committee Member

- Mark Periello, Former Human Rights Campaign staff member; Democratic strategist

- Ron Ginsburg, LGBT Community Activist; business owner

- Randall Kelly, LGBT Community Activist; attorney

- Stephanie Kornegay, LGBT Community Activist; business owner

- Robert D. Horvath, Mautner Project Board of Directors Member

- Patrick J. Lyden, LGBT Community Activist; Homeland Security Advisor

Rich Madaleno Questions Sending Maryland National Guard to Iraq

The Maryland Legislative session may winding down, but last week there was heated debate about plans to send 1,300 members of the Maryland National Guard to Iraq.

Rich Madaleno, a new state Senator and former member of House of Delegate, attempted to introduce legislation challenging the decision.

His legislation called on the Governor and Congressional Delegation of Maryland to oppose this deployment unless unless our troops were properly equipped, properly trained for combat in Iraq, and that there was a plan for their redeployment out of Iraq.

This late in the session two-thirds of the Senate must vote to suspend the rules in order to introduce new legislation. Unfortunately, the vote fell short of that mark.

The resolution in it's entirety is printed below:

By: Senators Madaleno and Pinsky

SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION

A Senate Joint Resolution concerning Mobilization of Members of Maryland National Guard for Duty in the War in Iraq

FOR the purpose of urging the Governor and the Maryland Congressional Delegation to voice their opposition to the most recent mobilization order of members of the Maryland National Guard and to call for a rescission of the order unless certain conditions are shown to be met; and generally relating to a mobilization of members of the Maryland National Guard to go to Iraq.

WHEREAS, Approximately 1,300 members of the Maryland National Guard have been called to serve in Iraq; and

WHEREAS, There are only an estimated 7,000 members of the Maryland National Guard and many have recently served in repeated deployments; and

WHEREAS, To date, more than 3,200 of the U.S. military have died in the war in Iraq; and

WHEREAS, The Inspector General of the Department of Defense has found that the Pentagon has not been able to properly equip the soldiers it already has with many lacking adequate weapons, ammunition, armor, and other supplies to “effectively complete their missions;” and

WHEREAS, Both the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives are considering legislative proposals relating to military operations in Iraq that include demands for the withdrawal of most U.S. troops from Iraq by 2008; now, therefore be it

RESOLVED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, That the Governor and the Maryland Congressional delegation are urged to voice their opposition to the most recent mobilization order potentially affecting members of the Maryland National Guard and call for a rescission of the order unless it can be shown that (1) the members will be fully equipped with sufficiently protective body armor and armored vehicles and other necessary weapons and equipment; (2) the members will be fully and adequately trained for combat in Iraq; and (3) there is an official redeployment strategy for all Untied States military personnel from Iraq; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be forwarded by the Department of Legislative Services to the Maryland Congressional Delegation: Senators Barbara A. Mikulski and Benjamin L. Cardin, Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C. 20510; and Representatives Wayne T. Gilchrest, C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger III, John P. Sarbanes, Albert R. Wynn, Steny Hamilton Hoyer, Roscoe G. Bartlett, Elijah E. Cummings, and Christopher Van Hollen, Jr., House Office Building, Washington, D.C. 20515; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be forwarded by the Department of Legislative Services to the Honorable Martin O’Malley, Governor of Maryland; the
Honorable Thomas V. Mike Miller, Jr., President of the Senate of Maryland; and the Honorable Michael E. Busch, Speaker of the House of Delegates.