As we vote in November, there are many issues we may consider important. As many of us are members of the GLBT community, there are major concerns for most of us in that regard. However, there are many issues that people often consider like the war in Iraq, the economy, foreign relations, etc. The candidates positions differ on many issues, including gay rights. That is why I decided to start this poll after reading the Obama Pride page on his official website. I will vote and share my views on this particular subject later. I do welcome and encourage straight people to weigh in on this particular issue as you are proud supporters of the GLBT community.

Are the candidates' positions on gay rights a major concern?

No. Neither party is sincere in support of gay rights. Democrats play one special interest group off the other and the only winners are the big racial groups blocks like blacks and hispanics and women. All others are cut lose as is politically expedient.

Are gay rights issues the most important issues?

Again I voted no. Gay rights are useless if the economy has imploded, the country is embroiled in a global war or the constitution has been completely dismembered.

Do you think Barack Obama is sincere in his support of the gay community?

Obama's power base- militant black churches- are extremely homophobic and would be very upset with him if he did anything other than give gays the cold shoulder.

Are McCain's positions on gay rights enough to make you decide to vote for Obama instead?

No. I would rather not vote for the big douche or the turd sandwich.

I voted, even though I'm not a USA citizen, because three of the four questions are relevant in Australia, too.

Like, James, I voted No for the first two questions. Gay rights is something I look at, but it is not the decider on who to vote for, at least for me. I rate a number of other issues, such as the economy, healthcare and education well above gay rights. I don't think I could ever bring myself to vote for the Australian Family First political party because of their stance on gay rights, but both major parties here have gay right advocates in their ranks. I see it as only time before we in Australia will end up with equal rights (As a side note, I dislike the term gay rights, the same as I dislike Aboriginal rights or Women's rights -- I only want equal and fair rights). I'll even go out on a limb and say it will be in my lifetime AND that Australian society will be in accord with the law in that respect. In other words, I expect to see the majority of Australians accepting same-sex couples as being no different to heterosexual couples before I die.

I had to vote Unsure for the third question because I don't know enough.

I voted No for the fourth, because I don't believe one issue is enough to make me consider changing my vote. It may sway me, but it will be the accumulation of issues that I will use to make a decision -- not any single one.

Are the candidates' positions on gay rights a major concern?

Yes they are. We have to fight for our rights, and having candidates who are pro gay rights are often more palatable to me than those who oppose.

Are gay rights issues the most important issues?

No! National security, economics, foreign policy, and civil liberties trump gay rights issues for me.

Do you think Barack Obama is sincere in his support of the gay community?

I am unsure. I do feel as though the Democrats do a great deal of pandering. They have their own religious groups, especially in the African American and Mexican Americans communities. They are most likely unwilling to turn off the social moderates who may very well vote Republican if they feel it is necessary.

Are McCain's positions on gay rights enough to make you decide to vote for Obama instead?

No! I vehemently disagree with him on appointing justices who will be antithetic to the gay community. However, I also care about keeping this country safe and the economy. I am all for the Democrats keeping the House and Senate for sure, but, while I am still leaning towards Obama, I am not 100% sure at this point in time. Obama’s platform is definitely more gay-friendly, but I have serious doubts about his qualifications in regard to foreign policy. I think he is running for president too early and that a lot of people made a mistake for not voting for a candidate with more experience in foreign policy.

I think that they are a major concern. Mainly because I think their stances on such issues are what allows you to get an insight into their character and what sort of ruler they will be. I also think that unless 'gay rights' or equality is taken seriously from high up then you are going to struggle to get your cause taken seriously and progress fast-tracked (although I know its no guarentee). i also think that as the leader of something they set a massive example. and that your country is behind in how it deals with gay rights and that its about time that they are taken seriously and positively, which will be much easier if the establisment is sympathetic rather than hostile. (piece of trivia, it was tony blair that pushed through the bills that cleared up ur equality laws and the civil partnerships)


no obviously not the only most important issues. I agree with the others that there are many other pressing issues, and ensuring people's survival is the most important and of course a leader must be skilled and make these top priorities. however simple things like discrimation laws in the work place to me are just as essential.


I can't say for sure, I would like to think so. you guys living in america are probably more able to tell or know more about the political situation. I read a piece about a speech he gave maybe a year or more ago which I liked. It was about even if he didnt understand gay people (or the church didnt either) they had to remember what their core values were, what they stood for, and couldnt allow injustices to continue, and then quoted the i had a dream speech. so, as long as he stands for equality I think Im happy. that and its lots better than him being negative.


I don't know McCains positions in detail so can't really comment. It would depend how anti is was, and how much I judged him to be swayed by those around him rather than sticking to principles. the media I have seen of him hasnt given me that great an image of him. I am already leaning greatly towrards Obama, but if he was very anti then that would definitly help to further my support of Obama.

Just my opinions ,
Celia

What do you mean by civil liberties? I could be completely misunderstanding, but to me gay rights should be included in that title. no? to me being able to live your life without hassle as long as you are not harming someone is a liberty I would like, and needs protecting. especially when they aren't even there yet in alot of circumstances.

Ok, Obama is more sympathic with gay issues even though he thinks marriage is a man and woman thing, but he doesn't go impose his personal beliefs on everyone. Unlike McCain, who would do so and put gay-marriage ban on state constitutions.

It's not my most important issue, but it has some weight in it.

I pick Obama because my beliefs are closer to his than to the ones of McCain. So that's why I'm voting for him in November.

Tiger: Gay rights are part of so-called civil liberties. Being not discriminated is a civil right.

That's very true, but civil liberties have a much wider scope. I do not seen any single civil liberty as superior to the others.

......................Jack & Tiger, I haved watched politics for decades, when it comes to elections, pandering is predonimate as the election comes closer to the voters in November. The question is "Who is more for civil liberties/rights?" Both bases left & right be damned, where does the candidate stand after the election dust settles? Both sides will pander the gay issue as other issues, but who will stand for liberty & civil rights? I'm not sure in this election, so I put aside this issue as a 'non-issue', once again making the rounds, only to be delgated to the 'back-burner'. That said, the real issue is the economy, the war, and the pending terrorist actions as I see it. I wish I could in good faith, believe in Obama, and if he is elected I hope to G_d he is right for our country, I'm sorry to say I don't believe in him. I will vote for McCain.

Well I'll be in the minority here. Gay right are by far the single strongest determinate for me. My attitude is that there are lots of people to champion the other causes but gay rights is my cause. It's what I champion. I consider myself a gay activist so it is by far the most important issue for me.

There isn't much conflict for me though because generally the candidate who is the best on gay rights is also the most liberal candidate overall and as it happens there are very few political issues in which I don't take a liberal stance.

So yes, I would vote for Obama solely because he's better on gay rights than McCain, BUT as it happens I also agree more with his approach to the economy, foreign relations, etc. However, I'm very politically jaded and honestly I don't have a lot of confidence in the process. So really I don't expect him to get much done or make much progress. I'll just be satisfied if he doesn't screw things up much more than they already are.

That's not to say that I don't expect gay rights to progress in the next few years. I definitely do, but I don't think the single strongest determinate will be the president. It's going to be a battle fought on a state by state basis and with more of an emphasis on the courts. Indeed, the best thing Obama can do for the gay cause is appoint gay supportive Supreme Court Justices. That's all I really expect out of him apart from not vetoing legislature that our activists manage to pass through congress.

I think McCain would probably appoint conservative, homophobic justices and may indeed veto GLBT supportive legislature and that alone is enough to make me not vote for him.

But no, I don't really 'trust' Obama, or expect a whole lot out of him. I just think he'll be more likely to pander to our people than McCain would be and he'll probably be less likely to pander to homophobes.