Does this really need a title?
GAY FOCUS IN DEMS' DEBATE
By CHARLES HURT, Post Wire Services
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By CHARLES HURT, Post Wire Services
GREEK FORUM: Hillary Clinton, at a Gay Pride Parade, will appear at a debate devoted to gay issues next month in California.
July 11, 2007 -- WASHINGTON - Democratic White House front-runners have agreed to a debate next month devoted to the issues affecting lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people, according to two leading activist groups.
July 11, 2007 -- WASHINGTON - Democratic White House front-runners have agreed to a debate next month devoted to the issues affecting lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people, according to two leading activist groups.
"In the 2008 presidential election, issues of concern to the LGBT community have already been at the forefront of the national conversation," said Joe Solmonese, president of the Human Rights Campaign.
Solmonese and lesbian rocker Melissa Etheridge will be panelists for the debate in Los Angeles.
"From the repeal of 'don't ask, don't tell' to the recent signing of a civil-unions bill in New Hampshire, there is no doubt that voters will demand answers to important questions affecting our community," Solmonese said.
Sens. Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama and former Sen. John Edwards confirmed they will participate, according to organizers.
Other Democrats may also sign on, although not all the candidates were invited.
The forum will give Clinton an opportunity to further distance herself from her husband's policy on gays in the military - the "don't ask, don't tell" approach, which has become deeply scorned in the gay community.
And it will allow the top candidates to give fuller explanations of their nuanced positions on gay marriage.
Clinton and Obama have both said that they personally believe marriage should be between a man and a woman, but both have voted against a constitutional amendment requiring that.
Yet, at the same time, they also say they support "civil unions," which would give gay couples virtually all the rights afforded married heterosexual couples.
Edwards also will likely be pressed about his similar stances on gay marriage.
He is also likely to be asked about comments he reportedly made to a top political adviser while running for Senate in 1998.
According to legendary Democratic campaign guru Bob Shrum's recent book, "No Excuses: Confessions of a Serial Campaigner," he asked Edwards his position on gay rights.
"I'm not comfortable around those people," Edwards is quoted as replying. His current campaign now vigorously denies that the exchange occurred.
Long-shot candidates Sens. Chris Dodd of Connecticut and Joe Biden of Delaware declined the invitation to appear at the forum, citing scheduling conflicts. New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson and Ohio Rep. Dennis Kucinich have not yet said whether they will show up.
Former Alaska Gov. Mike Gravel was not invited to participate because he had not raised enough money, according to debate organizers.
Touted as the first of its kind, the debate will be in front of a live audience, and will be broadcast nationally over Logo, the gay cable television network and co-sponsor of the forum, and Webcast live.
Republicans in Washington cheered the news, with one calling it "Christmas in August."
Perhaps the Dems should read the article below. You want to tolerate Islam? That's how Islam in Iran deals with homosexuals Hillary and the rest of you left wing idiots.
BTW, readers, I'm taking donations for my "Get Out of California Fund". No checks accepted.
Dean
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