John McCain’s Record of Opposition to LGBT Rights
By Michael Crawford
Cross-posted at Bloggernista
The Human Rights Campaign PAC has released a blistering report on Republican presidential candidate John McCain’s pathetic record on LGBT civil rights. The report entitled John McCain: A Record of Opposing the Interests of GLBT Americans shows that while McCain maybe be a “straight” talker, he is no maverick when it comes to supporting the right of LGBT Americans to equal treatment under the law.
I said it before and I will say it again there is no defending John McCain on gay issues.
Some highlights from Senator John McCain: A Record of Opposing the Interests of GLBT Americans are after the jump.
- Opposed Ending Discrimination Against GLBT Americans in the Workplace. Senator McCain cast a deciding vote against the federal Employment Non-Discrimination Act.
- Opposed Protecting GLBT Americans from Hate Crimes. Senator McCain voted three times against expanding the federal hate crimes law to include sexual orientation and gender identity.
- Proponent of Discriminatory Military Policy. Senator McCain supports Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell and does not believe that gays should serve in the military.
- Opponent of Equal Benefits for Same-Sex Couples. Senator McCain voted for the Defense of Marriage Act which prohibits same-sex couples from receiving federal rights and benefits in any state.
- Actively Supported State Ban on Domestic Partnerships. Senator McCain campaigned for a ban on same-sex relationship recognition in his home state of Arizona – even appearing in a campaign television ad.
- Supported the Confirmation of Anti-GLBT Equality Judges. Senator McCain voted to confirm President Bush’s judicial nominees who had taken anti-GLBT positions. He has pointed to Justice Samuel Alito as a role model for future Supreme Court appointments.
- Supported a Discriminatory HIV/AIDS Policy. Senator McCain supported a Jesse Helms strategy to cut off funding for prevention efforts aimed at the gay community and voted to prohibit foreign nationals with HIV from immigrating to the United States.
Tags: gay rights, Human Rights Campaign, John McCain, video, YouTube
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