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Obama succeeds; McCain goes anti-gay

Thu 5 Jun 2008 In: International News View at Wayback

Now that Barak Obama has the delegates he needs to become the Democratic Party's Presidential nominee, he faces a five-month battle with Republican leader John McCain for Presidency - and their vastly different views on LGBT issues could become a factor in their campaigns. While both Hillary Clinton and Obama actively sought votes from gas and lesbians in the run-up to Democratic nomination, granting interviews and taking out advertising in LGBT media, John McCain has spoken out against gay marriage. Appearing at a campaign rally in Tennessee recently, John McCain was met with sustained cheers after stating that he believes "in the sanctity and unique status of marriage between man and woman," reports PageOneQ. As cheering from the crowd began, McCain added: "That's what I believe, that's what I support, and that's what I will fight for."   McCain has supported state constitutional amendments banning both marriage equality and civil unions. Activist group the Human Rights Campaign have studied McCain's positions on LGBT equality, and sees his views as essentially similar to George W. Bush's. "We've witnessed President Bush over the last seven years repeatedly side with ultra-conservatives and the religious right at the expense of protections for GLBT Americans. Judging by his record, a McCain presidency would be another four years of more of the same," said Human Rights Campaign Vice President David Smith. "Similar to Bush, Sen. John McCain opposes equal benefits for same-sex couples; opposes the Employment Non-Discrimination Act to prohibit discrimination against GLBT Americans in the workplace; opposes expanding the hate crimes act to include sexual orientation and gender identity, and supports the military's discriminatory Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy."    

Credit: GayNZ.com News Staff

First published: Thursday, 5th June 2008 - 8:48am

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