Year 2000 Presidential race: Candidates' stand on gay/lesbian rights

Sponsored link.

Statements by Democratic candidates

During an interview with the Advocate, a gay/lesbian magazine, Al Gore said:

He commented: "I believe that God makes us in different ways. I don't believe that having made us, God intends us to suffer discrimination and prejudice." ₁

On 1999-JUN-17, Bill Bradley visited a gay and lesbian center in California. He said: "You are an integral part of America." Al Gore visited the same center on JUN-24.

Statements by Republican candidates

More than a dozen Christian groups who oppose equal rights (including the right to marry) for gays and lesbians circulated a pledge among the current candidates for President of the U.S. In signing the pledge a candidate promises to:

The Human Rights Campaign said that Gary Bauer, Pat Buchanan, Steve Forbes,  Orrin Hatch, Alan Keys, and Dan Quayle signed the pledge before the Iowa straw poll. HRC also said that George Bush and John McCain did not sign. The two Democratic candidates, Bill Bradley and Al Gore declined to sign the pledge. ₂

Statements by other candidates

Larry Hines, a candidate for the Libertarian Party is openly gay and HIV positive. Commenting on same-sex marriage, he said on 1999-JUL-14 that "A government that sanctions marriage and then turns around and dictates who can and cannot marry is a government in desperate need of change." ₃

Reference:

1. Reuters news item, 1999-AUG-31
2. "GOP candidates sign anti-gay pledge," Associated Press news item, 1999-AUG-20 
3. "Larry Hines in 2000: Press Releases," at: http://www.gaywired.com/larryhinesin2000/releases.html