From John Edwards campaign site:
“LGBT Americans are entitled to equal respect and dignity under our laws. Discrimination is morally wrong. All Americans should have the same freedoms and the same responsibilities.” – John Edwards
Equal Rights for Same-Sex Couples
Edwards believes that all couples in committed, long-term relationships should have the same rights, benefits, and responsibilities, whether they are straight couples or same-sex couples. He supports civil unions to guarantee gay and lesbian couples the same rights as straight couples, including inheritance rights, hospital visitation rights, equal pension and health care benefits, and all of the 1,100 other legal protections government affords married couples. Edwards supports the full repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act. He also believes same-sex families should be treated in the same manner as other families by our immigration laws. Edwards believes the right president could lead the country toward consensus around equal rights and benefits for all couples in committed, long-term relationships and he opposes divisive Constitutional amendments to ban same-sex marriages.
Workplace Discrimination
Workers should be judged by the quality of their performance, not their sexual orientation or gender identity. While in the Senate, Edwards cosponsored the Employment Non-Discrimination Act. He also believes that stronger enforcement is necessary to prevent employment discrimination by federal agencies.
Military Service
Edwards opposes the current “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy on gays and lesbians serving in our military. The military ought to treat all service members equally and in a way that promotes national security, without regard to their sexual orientation.
Adoption
Edwards believes that gay and lesbian parents should be able to adopt children just like any other parents. There are over 120,000 children waiting for homes in our nation’s foster care system. Adoption placements should be decided by judges and adoption agencies based upon the best interests of the children. Both members of a same-sex couple raising children together should be able to form a legal relationship with their children.
Hate Crimes
Everyone is entitled to live in dignity without fear of violence. We should strengthen the ability of law enforcement to investigate and prosecute hate crimes based on race, gender, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, disability or gender identity. While in the Senate, Edwards cosponsored legislation to give law enforcement agencies the tools they need to investigate and prosecute hate crimes.
14 Comments
I agree with Edwards and I’d love to see him advance on the gameboard. But I’ve become so jaded, or superstitious maybe, that I’m afraid to pin my hopes on him because history has shown me that anyone I really like never makes it into office. It’s silly, but I feel like if I really like a candidate I should do him a favor and steer clear of him.
Wendy: That’s funny, but I know what you mean. I really like this guy, though, and I hope he succeeds.
I just wanted to drop by and hello. I got your journal off of moonbeam mcqueen’s blogroll and I’ve really enjoyed reading your entries. I’ve taken a look around I really like what you are about and a lot of what you have to say. If you don’t mind I’d like to add you to my blogroll.
I also wanted to share this with you… I don’t know if you’ve seen it, I haven’t come across it in your journal yet. I thought you’d appreciate it:
An engineering professor is treating her husband, a loan officer, to dinner for finally giving in to her pleas to shave off the scraggly beard he grew on vacation. His favorite restaurant is a casual place where they both feel comfortable in slacks and cotton/polyester-blend golf shirts. But, as always, she wears the gold and pearl pendant he gave her the day her divorce decree was final. They’re laughing over their menus because they know he always ends up diving into a giant plate of ribs but she won’t be talked into anything more fattening than shrimp.
Quiz: How many biblical prohibitions are they violating? Well, wives are supposed to be ’submissive’ to their husbands (I Peter 3:1). And all women are forbidden to teach men (I Timothy 2:12), wear gold or pearls (I Timothy 2:9) or dress in clothing that ‘pertains to a man’ (Deuteronomy 22:5). Shellfish and pork are definitely out (Leviticus 11:7, 10) as are usury (Deuteronomy 23:19), shaving (Leviticus 19:27) and clothes of more than one fabric (Leviticus 19:19). And since the Bible rarely recognizes divorce, they’re committing adultery, which carries the rather harsh penalty of death by stoning (Deuteronomy 22:22).
So why are they having such a good time? Probably because they wouldn’t think of worrying about rules that seem absurd, anachronistic or – at best – unrealistic. Yet this same modern-day couple could easily be among the millions of Americans who never hesitate to lean on the Bible to justify their own anti-gay attitudes.
Stephanie: I’ve never seen/read that before and the last line literally gave me chills. Thanks for sharing it and you’re more than welcome to add my site to your blogroll.
I do love me some John Edwards, and his wife is my HERO. Alas, I’d never expect to find someone that dignified in the White House…
What’s important is that Edwards is opening up space for conversation about things that really matter–today. To paraphrase Jesus–let tomorrow take care of itself.
It seems that John Edwards leans much more toward my political beliefs than Ron Paul, who frankly, I don’t trust in the least. At least Edwards shows a hint of possessing a backbone. I’ll pay a little closer attention to him now that I’ve read your post.
@ Caroline: His wife is a very courageous person, that’s for sure.
@ Karen: That’s true. He doesn’t seem willing to back down on any issue, consequences be darned.
@ MBMQ: It’s strange, because I decided a couple of weeks ago that I was going to support RP, even though I didn’t like many of the things that he stands for. A few days ago, after reading a quote by him about gay unions being a threat to liberty, I removed the banner from my sidebar and deleted my post where I pledged my support. I can’t, in good conscience, vote for someone that feels that way about so many law-abiding, tax-paying Americans.
Edward’s views on this topic is like a breath of fresh air.
I am a Christian. I think that homosexuality is a sin, but hate crimes are absolutely wrong. Christ never did anything to harm anyone, including the most vile sinners. He did not persecute the adulteress that the people brought to him, but told her to go and sin no more. I really don’t think that gays should be discriminated against more than any other person who is addicted to a specific sin. After all Christ already forgave gays, drunks, liars, and the list goes on and on. We should live with the same attitude as Christ.
I find your blog to be delightful!
@ Matthew: I agree with everything you said, except the part about homosexuality being a sin. I believe society often influences biblical interpretation, and this is one of the last bastions of discrimination that still uses religion as its basis. People conveniently used scripture to endorse slavery and abuse of women in the past, but the advancement of the human race has altered our interpretation of those verses. I think the same thing will occur with the issue of homosexuality.
@ Ste. Goldie: Thank you so much. Comment any time.
Thanks for the post on this. I saw something that might interest some readers here about how an LGBT person came to realize Edwards was their choice for the nomination. Check it out:
I endorse John Edwards
http://www.pridesource.com/article.shtml?article=27773
A few of my friends who are in the educational field went to John Edwards event that was held nearby & came away singing his praises. They both liked what he said.
I really don’t know who I am supporting for President yet, I am still watching. I think it is going to start getting ugly….soon.
@ Josh Medeiros: Great link. Thanks for commenting.
@ Liz: In hindsight, I should have went to see him when he was here. I considered it, but didn’t want to miss a day of work. Oh well…
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