A new poll shows Democrat Barack Obama has a clear lead among LGBT registered voters - with 68% favouring the Illinois Senator. Gay vote winner: Barack Obama 10% of those surveyed support McCain, while 3% favour Ralph Nader and 1% supports Bob Barr. 3% chose 'other', and 15% of all LGBT voters still are not sure which candidate to support. The Harris Poll was conducted online within the United States in the first week of August among 2,834 adults aged 18 and over, of whom 178 – nearly 6.3% - self-identified as gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender. A campaigning and fundraising website LGBT for Obama has now been created to support the candidate gay equality groups see as "a long-time advocate of minorities and basic civil rights". The website's creator Terry Bean is passionate about the Presidential campaign for Obama. "There has never been a more critical election for our community than the Presidential election that is on our doorstep," he writes. "Senator Obama has a deep-seated understanding of the challenges that LGBT individuals face. Friends and members of our community - from celebrities to legal experts to fellow politicians - have recognized Senator Obama's work and have spoken out in support of his campaign. They all share the belief that an Obama victory this November will be the critical first step in changing our country's political and social landscape." While neither Obama nor McCain have spoken out in support of same-sex marriage, Obama favours repeal of federal legislation barring the government from recognizing gay unions and supports civil unions. Both candidates oppose attempts to amend the U.S. Constitution to ban same-sex marriage, although McCain supports state bans. Obama also supports legislation giving federal domestic partner benefits and the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell - the ban on gays serving openly in the military.
Credit: GayNZ.com News Staff
First published: Saturday, 23rd August 2008 - 1:35pm