There has never been a presidential nominee from either political party that is as supportive of LGBT civil rights as Sen. Barack Obama, the Democratic nominee. He has long fought for civil and equal rights for minorities including the LGBT community. And, in the presidential campaign, Sen. Obama has included LGBT Americans numerous times in his speeches.

After the jump is a list of Sen. Obama’s positions on LGBT issues.

Sen. Obama’s strong support for LGBT civil rights did not begin with his decision to run for the presidency. As an Illinois State Senator, Senator Obama’s advocacy on behalf of minorities included championing the equal rights of LGBT people when he became the chief co-sponsor of the Illinois Employment Non-Discrimination Bill which eventually became Illinois law.

Here are Sen Obama’s position on key LGBT issues:

Sen. Obama supports passage of an inclusive ENDA and the Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Act

Sen. Obama wrote in A Call For Full Equality:

I will also place the weight of my administration behind the enactment of the Matthew Shepard Act to outlaw hate crimes and a fully inclusive Employment Non-Discrimination Act to outlaw workplace discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. I have supported fully inclusive protections since my days in the Illinois legislature, when I sponsored a bill to outlaw workplace discrimination that expressly included both sexual orientation and gender identity.

Sen. Obama supports repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell

Sen. Obama wrote in A Call For Full Equality:

I will also fight to repeal the U.S. military’s Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy, a law that should never have been passed, and my Defense Department will work with top military leaders to implement that repeal.

Sen. Obama supports the repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act

Sen. Obama wrote in an open letter to the LGBT community:

While some say we should repeal only part of the law, I believe we should get rid of that statute altogether. Federal law should not discriminate in any way against gay and lesbian couples, which is precisely what DOMA does.

Sen. Obama has committed to developing a national AIDS strategy

Sen. Obama told the Washington Blade:

If elected, during my first year in office, I will develop and implement a comprehensive national HIV/AIDS strategy that includes all federal agencies. That strategy will reduce HIV infections, increase access to care and reduce HIV-related health disparities. Congress should pass the JUSTICE Act to combat infection within our prison population. And, as President, I will continue to confront the stigma — too often tied to homophobia — that continues to surround HIV/AIDS.

Sen. Obama supports civil unions with equal federal benefits for same-sex couples

Sen. Obama wrote in A Call For Full Equality:

As President, I will use the bully pulpit to urge states to treat same-sex couples with full equality in their family and adoption laws. I personally believe that civil unions represent the best way to secure that equal treatment. But I also believe that the federal government should not stand in the way of states that want to decide on their own how best to pursue equality for gay and lesbian couples – whether that means a domestic partnership, a civil union, or a civil marriage.

Sen. Obama opposes anti-gay state constitutional amendments such as those pending in California, Florida and Arizona

Sen. Obama wrote in letter to the Alice B. Toklas LGBT Democratic Club:

As the Democratic nominee for President, I am proud to join with and support the LGBT community in an effort to set our nation on a course that recognizes LGBT Americans with full equality under the law. That is why I support extending fully equal rights and benefits to same sex couples under both state and federal law. That is why I support repealing the Defense of Marriage Act and the “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” policy, and the passage of laws to protect LGBT Americans from hate crimes and employment discrimination. And that is why I oppose the divisive and discriminatory efforts to amend the California Constitution, and similar efforts to amend the U.S. Constitution or those of other states.

Sen. Obama voted against the Federal Marriage Amendment in 2006

Sen. Obama would appoint fair-minded justices to the Supreme Court

Sen. Obama’s positions are a stark contrast to John McCain’s long record of opposition to LGBT civl rights. For anyone who cares about LGBT people, it has to be clear that a vote for John McCain is a vote for discrimination against LGBT people.

I recently had the chance to talk to Steve Hildebrand, the Deputy Campaign Manager for the Obama Campaign and the highest ranking gay staffer for the campaign.

Steve has spent more than twenty years organizing some of the most targeted and high profile political campaigns in the nation and is recognized as one of the best political strategists in the United States. Working extensively in South Dakota, Iowa and Minnesota, Steve has managed races and ran two political parties. He served as Midwest Political Director for the DNC during the Clinton re-elect in 1996 and as Political Director at the DSCC in 97/98. In 99/2000, Steve ran the Iowa caucuses for Vice President Gore and ran the Women Vote! Program for EMILY’s List in 2000. He managed Senator Tim Johnson’s campaign in 2002 and Senator Tom Daschle’s campaign in 2004. In 2007, decided to serve as the Deputy Campaign Manager for Senator Barack Obama’s presidential campaign.

The full interview, with discussion ranging from LGBT voter outreach to Anti-Gay Marriage Amendments to a fully-inclusive ENDA, after the jump.

Waymon Hudson- Florida is a battleground state, and it has been reported, a top priority for the Obama Campaign. How does LGBT voter outreach play in to that? Are there specific LGBT “get out the vote” efforts?

Steve Hildebrand- There are many LGBT organizers in the state- but we always need more. Voters of all backgrounds have a tremendous amount at stake in election- whether it be in foreign policy, the economic crisis, or whether issues are gay-related- there is a lot a stake. People have to get involved and make sure their issues are answered.

WH- Florida is facing a dangerous “Marriage Protection” Amendment that would not only ban same-sex marriage, but also roll back domestic partnerships and benefits (much like what happened in Michigan). While the campaign has said Obama does not support this (and other state amendments like California and Arizona), will Obama and his top level surrogates be talking about this during campaign stops? It seems like Obama taking a strong stand on this would make the point to many in the community that he will be a strong supporter of the LGBT community once elected.

SH- Obama is very clear that there should not be any amendment that writes discrimination into the constitution. He has made the fact that he does not support these amendments very clear. That being said, he is running for national office. He feels it might not be appropriate for him to tell Floridians how to vote since he is not a Floridian. But that being said, there is no question where he stands on it.

WH- HIV/AIDS is a huge issue in Florida and around the country. What is Obama’s plan domestically to combat the rising rates of infection?

SH- Awareness and education are critical. Prevention is key- through education and regular testing. Barack is one of the few political figures to have taken an HIV/AIDS test in public, both in Africa and LA, which has a huge impact to encourage testing. We have to find the funds to fight HIV/AIDS- we have to make sure drugs are available to those that can’t afford them so they can live a strong, healthy, dignified life. And we have to educate that this is not just an LGBT disease; all communities are affected by HIV/AIDS.

WH- What important LGBT issue could he act on quickly if President, what would be most likely to pass?

SH- There are a lot of important issues, but if I advised Barack, I would say to seek passage of an Employment Non Discrimination Act. Jobs and employment security is vitally important to LGBT Americans and no one should be afraid to lose their job because for their sexual orientation. That is a vital piece of legislation that could affect huge numbers of LGBT Americans and a basic right no one should be without.

WH- Would he sign a non-inclusive ENDA or hold out for a fully-inclusive one? Would he actively lobby for a fully inclusive ENDA?

SH- Barack has made it clear that gender identity and expression are vital parts of any legislation passed, especially ENDA. He solidly supports a fully-inclusive ENDA.

WH- There have been reports of voter suppression (McCain and RNC emails confusing voters, new Florida voting laws) which could harm both Obama and the fight against Amendment 2 and other anti-LGBT legislation around the country. How is the campaign combating these tactics?

SH- Well first, shame any Republican who wants to suppress votes. Political games should never be played with the right to vote. Democrats need to find any way possible- through early voting, absentee ballots- to make sure the basic right to vote is upheld. That may not suit Republicans, but it is important to give more opportunities to vote- better voting hours, vote by mail options. It should be easier, not harder to vote. Every vote needs to be counted.

WH- Immigration Equality for LGBT couples is an important issue in Florida and around the country. What would Obama do to help keep bi-national LGBT couples, many who are forced to split or leave the country since there is no national recognition of same-sex relationships, together?

SH- Barack does not feel like he gets to decide what a family should look like. Families should stay together. There are complications with immigration issues, but there are ways to work that out legislatively, to help work towards the opportunity for couples to stay together. Barack has been speaking with the Human Rights Campaign and other groups to talk about how that issue can be solved quickly.

WH- Would Obama put LGBT people in high level administration positions?

SH- Barack would run his administration the way he has lived his life and run his campaign. Diversity is important to him, and to Michelle- it is critically important to him that he hears different voices and different opinions. Barack has always sought out different opinions in his life and would continue to do so once in office. There would definitely be strong LGBT voices in his administration.

WH- Is there anything else you’d like to tell LGBT voters?

SH- This election is in a dead heat- people’s involvement is vital. There is a lot at stake. We need a strong advocate in the White House, an advocate like Obama- certainly not someone like McCain and Palin. As a gay American, I want a strong advocate for my issues, for the things that are important to me and my rights. I get that with Obama, but not with McCain/Palin.

People need to participate. If you are not registered to vote, do it, register. If people you know aren’t registered, walk them through it. Time is running out to make sure your voice is heard. Get out, volunteer, give what you can, but most importantly get out and vote.

For information on how to register to vote, get an absentee ballot, or check your voter information, go to VoteForChange.com.

For more information on the Obama Campaign, visit BarackObama.com.

Statement of Barack Obama on Ten Years Since Matthew Shepard’s Murder

Chicago, IL – Senator Barack Obama issued the following statement today regarding the ten years since Matthew Shepard was murdered.

“Today, we pause to remember the heartbreaking and senseless murder of Matthew Shepard. A freshman at the University of Wyoming, Matthew was a young man committed to fighting for equality and changing the world around him. He was tragically taken from us far too early, an innocent victim of an abhorrent hate crime, and never had the chance to see his dreams realized.

“In the ten years since Matthew’s passing, Congress has repeatedly and unacceptably failed to enact a federal hate crimes law that would protect all LGBT Americans. That’s not just a failure to honor Matthew’s memory; it’s a failure to deliver justice for all who have been victimized by hate crimes, regardless of race, gender, or sexual orientation. All Americans deserve to live their lives free of fear, and as Americans, it is our moral obligation to stand up against bigotry and strive for equality for all.

“Today, Michelle and I send our thoughts and prayers to Matthew’s parents, Judy and Dennis, and to all whose lives have been touched by unconscionable violence.”

When the stakes in an election are high and our chances of victory are quite good, we can become so invested in winning that we start making threats about what we’ll do if we lose – whether we are opposing Proposition 8 in California or supporting Barack Obama for President. I have heard things like, “I’ll boycott,” or “I’ll leave the country.” We should resist these impulses because they are untrue (how many would actually emigrate?), they waste energy, and they give comfort to our adversaries. Social conservatives would love to see LGBT folk disappear.

Consider the logical result of boycotting states that pass anti-gay ballot initiatives. Such a stance would already exclude us from three-fourths of the country, not to mention punishing friends in those states. Fortunately, a more proactive approach has gained strength in recent years, as statewide groups – members of the Equality Federation – improve advocacy and organizing to elect allies and eliminate discriminatory policies in the states.

Some states, of course, are further along than others in the fight for marriage equality. We stand a better chance this year of defeating California’s Proposition 8 than Arizona’s Proposition 102. It is perfectly reasonable for donors to direct greater support toward fights where we stand the best chance of winning. But our long-term success depends on building capacity across the country in addition to preserving our victories in Massachusetts and California. There is plenty of work for all of us, and no use for hand-wringing and crying doom. To help defeat anti-gay amendments to state constitutions, visit votenoprop102.com for Arizona, noonprop8.com for California, and votenoon2.com for Florida.

As for the presidential election, given the recklessness, dishonesty and desperation of the McCain campaign, and the appalling prospect of another four years of Republican residency at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, I have some sympathy for those who say they will do something dire if Obama loses. But their time would be better spent seeing that he doesn’t lose.

The past eight years have shown the tactical advantage enjoyed by ruthless individuals. Many deeply religious people are uncomfortable making a public show of their piety, just as many who love their country cannot stand to make a public show of their patriotism. Unfortunately, this modesty can have the effect of leaving the field to those without such scruples, which results in a rapacious few wielding disproportionate influence. It’s easier to turn a crowd into a mob through fear than to persuade them with reason. When lies follow upon lies in an endless barrage, as with the McCain campaign, it can wear you down to the point where you feel like disengaging altogether. That is how the Rovians are hoping you’ll react.

If ever there was a time to make it clear that fundamentalists have no monopoly on faith, this is it. If ever there was a time for rescuing patriotism from intolerant jingoists, this is it. The particular gifts of the Democratic presidential nominee – his organizing skills, his eloquence, his sharp mind and dry wit, his cool temperament and his toughness – give us a rare opportunity on Nov. 4 to reclaim the “sacred honor” to which America’s founders mutually pledged, and which lately has been sullied.

With the huge increase in new voter registrations, aggressive voter turnout efforts can make the difference in many states, including some traditionally red states. Don’t be swayed by naysayers, and don’t just talk to people who agree with you. At lgbtforobama.com you can find materials for persuading family and friends, and at barackobama.com you can find grassroots groups in your state that you can join.

The same activist spirit is seen in the response to a recent spate of attacks against gay people in Washington, D.C. Instead of waiting for someone else to act, people are getting organized. The GLBT Anti-Violence Working Group has a new webpage at glovdc.org. Whether the solution is renewed education efforts, citizen patrols, improved cooperation with the Metropolitan Police Department’s Gay and Lesbian Liaison Unit, or the self-defense measures advocated at pinkpistols.org, the point is to channel our outrage into a sustainable program.

Let’s rise to the momentous times we are in by refusing to be either victims or spectators, by taking ownership and saying we will not be driven out or marginalized in our own city, in our own country. Let’s play to win.

Copyright © 2008 by Richard J. Rosendall. All rights reserved. Rick can be contacted at rrosendall@starpower.net.

The family of Ryan Skipper, a 25-year-old gay man from Winter Haven, Florida who was killed last year in a brutal hate crime, is speaking out and fighting for change. Skipper was found stabbed to death on March 15, 2007. He had been stabbed twenty times and his body was dumped by the side of the road. His killers drove around in his blood-soaked car, bragging how they had killed a gay man. The murders- William David Brown Jr., 20, and Joseph Bearden, 21- were charged with first-degree murder and will be going on trial separately in October 2008 and Feb 2009. You can find out more about the horrific crime in the amazing documentary ACCESSORY TO MURDER: Our Culture’s Complicity in the Death of Ryan Skipper (view the film’s trailer after the jump)

The family of Ryan Skipper has become outspoken advocates for stronger federal hate crimes legislation, as well as traveling the country to speak on the need for acceptance of LGBT people. They have been active in lobbying for the Matthew Shepard Act, which seeks to add sexual orientation and gender identity to existing federal hate crime laws. The law currently includes only race, religion, ethnicity and nationality.

Their work for stronger hate crimes legislation has also brought them into the fight for the next President of the United States. They have become vocal supporters of Barack Obama, in large part because of his stated commitment to passing hate crimes laws.

Watch the video from Ryan’s brother and much more after the jump…

In a video recorded for the campaign by Damien Skipper, Ryan’s brother, speaks about Ryan’s death and the impact it has had on his family:

I know most of you watching this can understand how difficult it is to lose a loved one. Now just take a moment to consider how difficult it would be to lose a loved one in the manner we lost Ryan. And then consider that Ryan was killed because of who he was. Ryan was killed because he was an openly gay man. That’s sickening.

Damien goes on to say:

We as a society have an opportunity to make a change. We have the opportunity to provide equality for the LGBT community.

My family strongly supports Barack Obama in his campaign for the presidency due in large part to his support for the Matthew Shepard Act. Please join us.

Obama’s strong support for hate crimes legislation is in sharp contrast to his Republican opponent, John McCain. According to Obama’s website:

Barack Obama has made strengthening and expanding the federal hate crimes law a priority.

• As a United States Senator, he co-sponsored the bill that would expand hate crimes protections to include crimes based on sexual orientation or gender identity. The bill also would provide local law enforcement agencies with federal aid in fighting and prosecuting hate crimes.

• Barack cast the critical 60th vote that prevented the bill from being defeated by a Republican-sponsored filibuster. [2007 Senate Vote #350]

• He has pledged to continue his support for enacting these protections into law if elected President, promising earlier this year to “place the full weight of my administration behind the enactment of the Matthew Shepard Act to outlaw hate crimes… on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity.” [New York Blade, 6/10/08]

• Barack has pledged to reinvigorate enforcement of all hate crime laws at the Department of Justice’s Criminal Section. [www.barackobama.com]

While Barack Obama has been fighting to expand hate crimes protections, John McCain has been standing in the way. He has consistently stood in the way of the bill becoming law.

• McCain voted against the hate crimes bill in 2000. [2000 Senate Vote #136]

• McCain voted against the hate crimes bill in 2002. [2002 Senate Vote #147]

• McCain voted against the hate crimes bill in 2004. [2004 Senate Vote #114]

• In 2007, McCain was the only member of the Senate to not cast a vote at all on the bill. [2007 Senate Vote #350]

I have had the honor of meeting Ryan’s family at various events and memorials. They are passionate people who are working to make sure what happened to their family doesn’t happen to others.

They continue to tell their painful story and work with various organizations- like the Gay American Heroes Foundation, Equality Florida, PFLAG of Polk County and the Lakeland Youth Alliance- to make real change for the LGBT community. They also joined with EQFL and the GAHF to travel to Tallahassee and lobby for passage of an anti-bully bill. I am so thankful for their strength and activism.

Watch Damien Skipper’s Video here:

Watch a moving PSA the family made with Equality Florida to support the Mathew Sheppard act here:

Watch the trailer for Accessory to Murder: Our Culture’s Complicity in the Death of Ryan Skipper and go to the website to purchase the video:

There is nothing more frustrating to me than a gay person who won’t vote. While hard to believe, there are still some of you out there. Recently, my friend Patricia, whom I have known for almost 20 years and lived with as a roommate for two years, told me that she had never registered to vote, nor does she plan to do so for the upcoming presidential election.

“I would have voted, if it were Hillary,” she explained.

What’s more, Patricia just moved to Pennsylvania, where her vote could really make a difference. I explained why it was so important. I went through the laundry list of reasons, from the Supreme Court to the economy to the war in Iraq. Nothing made a difference. But what I didn’t say was that her vote might just be a matter of life and death.

According to the National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs, in a 78-page report released in May of 2008, anti-LGBT hate crimes have increased by 24 percent since 2006. The number of reported incidents rose from 1,954 to a whopping 2,430 and occurred in every region of the country. Shockingly, since that report was released, an increase in hate activity was reported, with at least 13 brutal crimes perpetrated on our community.

Many of you have heard about Lawrence King, the 15 year-old boy who was shot by a classmate in California this past February for wearing nail polish and acting less than manly. Unfortunately, Lawrence is only the tip of the iceberg and, as many of these crimes are perpetrated against our transgendered brothers and sisters, the media is not so comfortable, or adept, with accurately reporting what is going on.

But the numbers don’t lie. In Michigan, the number of LGBT-related hate crimes increased by 207 percent. In Minnesota, the increase was 135 percent; in Kansas City, 142 percent. And in Pennsylvania, the number rose by 28 percent. When it happens to one of us, Patricia, it happens to us all.

So how does her vote matter? John McCain has consistently opposed creating federal hate crime protections for gay and transgendered people. He voted against LGBT-inclusive hate crimes bills in 2000, 2002, 2004, and, just last year, McCain was the only senator to miss the voting session on the Matthew Shepard Act, which gave the Justice Department the ability to aid, or take over, investigations and prosecutions of bias-related crimes. The Matthew Shepard Act was eventually attached to a Defense Authorization bill, but later gutted in a conference committee because of Bush’s veto threat.

To contrast, Barack Obama has pledged throughout his campaign to enact a fully inclusive federal hate crimes law. He not only took time away from campaigning to vote on the Matthew Shepard Act, but he cast the deciding 60th vote to pass the law in the face of a filibuster threat, and he co-sponsored the bill as well.

In 2002, Obama was the chief co-sponsor in the Illinois State Senate of a bill that not only identified classes of felonies for the commission of a hate crime, but also created the offense of “conspiracy against civil rights,” by which a person, with intent to interfere with the free exercise of a right or privilege secured by the Constitution, agrees with another to inflict or threaten physical harm on any person if one of the two acts in furtherance of that agreement.

If that kind of protection were in place on the federal level, hate crime numbers would plummet and all of us, in the LGBT community and others threatened by violent crime based on prejudice, could rest assured knowing that our country believes that we deserve equal protection under the law. Currently, only 11 states, and the District of Columbia, have LGBT-inclusive hate crime laws. Luckily for Patricia, Pennsylvania is one of them. Thirty-one states have hate crime laws that cover sexual orientation, but not gender identity.

Seventy-three percent of Americans, according to a 2007 Hart Research poll, already support the inclusion of sexual orientation and gender identity in federal hate crimes law. I am not sure how Patricia feels about hate crimes protections; I just hope that those other 73 percent are registered to vote!

Anthony M. Brown, an attorney, is a member of the Obama for America National LGBT Steering and Policy Committee (but is not writing on its behalf), and is the executive director of The Wedding Party. He can be reached at Brown@msclaw.net.

The Obama campaign today held a conference call with members of the press intended to point out the “stark contrast” between Senator Obama and Senator McCain with respect to hate crimes legislation, according to Matt Nosanchuk, Convener, Obama for America National LGBT Steering and Policy Committee.

Said Nosanchuk: “It’s an issue that is a matter of life and death but it is important to note that in the vision of America that Obama puts forward..there is no place for hate crimes. Every American should be able to be safe and walk the streets and be full participating members of the community without fear that they will be attacked for their sexual orientation or gender identity. Since the voting records [of McCain and Obama] are so diametrically opposed we thought it would be well worth highlighting this contrast on a bill that’s long overdue.”

Nosanchuk went on to point out Obama’s consistent support for federal hate crimes legislation and his work in the Illinois senate joining Jewish lawmakers to pass legislation with criminal enhancements for hate groups. When asked if there was specific language in that law that covered sexual orientation and/or gender identity Nosanchuk was ot certain but emphasized it was a broad bill covering civil rights and reiterated Obama’s commitment as a candidate to the current Matthew Shepard hate crimes bill.

Also on the call were Representative John C. Conyers Jr. (D-MI), Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee and sponsor of the hate crimes bill.

Conyers said he was hopeful that the bill could soon pass: “The judiciary committee passed the bill in April of last year and then we subsequently passed it in Congress. It ran into a little trouble in the Senate. But the whole idea was is that it was the president’s veto that caused us to move it in a separate way. We’ve got the overwhelming support of hundreds of civil rights organizations, religious groups, civic groups, district attorneys and chiefs of police. most of the states attorneys general are already on the bill. We’re hopeful that before this 110th Congress end we’ll be able to get it on some legislation that is from our point of view veto proof.”

Emphasized as well was the optimism that the threat of a veto would be done away with by the election of Obama and a Democratic congress. Bush’s veto has been seen as the main obstacle to the bill’s passage.

Finally, Damien Skipper, the brother of Ryan Keith Skipper, who was brutally murdered in an anti-gay hate crime in central Florida in 2007, expressed his support for Obama and the legislation.

Said Skipper: Most Americans would be shocked and appalled if they knew how often attacks like what happened to Ryan occur. Information is not always available in the media and I think that reporting these statistics with a federal hate crimes law would help very much.”

John McCain has voted against federal hate crimes laws every time they have come up in the Senate except the last vote in 2007. At that time, he did not vote at all.