I am not a one issue voter, but I am gay and I care about gay issues.
I was happy to hear Senator Ted Kennedy include the line "straight America vs gay America" when he endorsed Barack Obama. I was happy to hear that Senator Obama includes this line when he speaks to black churches and that it is considered a courageous thing for him to do.
That's why I was disapponted when I listened to Obama's speech to the Jefferson Jackson dinner in Virginia and noticed that the line was missing from his speech. UPDATE He mentioned "I know how we are made to fear each other. Fear of immigrants. Fear of gays...
I am not a Hillary supporter. I was disappointed by don't ask don't tell, and not at all happy that Bill Clinton signed the Defense of Marriage Act. I've been told by some friends who support Hillary that Bill did that in order to stop a federal marriage amendment. Seems to me that the Clintons count on gay support during campaigns but abandon them when it counts when governing.
But Hillary won the gay vote in California, so is there something I'm missing? Did Obama's "snub" of the San Franciso mayor demonstrate how he really feels? Or is it just that gay men are naturally drawn to the woman candidate who can tear down sexist barriers?
Both Obama and Hillary are against the Federal Marriage Amendment (so is McCain by the way). I believe they are both for hate crimes legislation, gays serving openly in the military, and civil unions.
Are gay people just happy that gay marriage isn't the major issue in the Presidential campaign, and want to focus on other issues?
For me personally I will be voting more about ending the war in Iraq. I think all our spending there is hurting our economy and the value of the dollar.
Still, I worry that Barack Obama is no true friend of the gay community.
I'd appreciate your thoughts on this particular issue.