Wesley Clark details pro-gay stances
Christopher Curtis, Gay.com / PlanetOut.com Network
Wednesday, November 12, 2003 / 05:02 PM
http://www.planetout.com/pno/news/article.html?date=2003/11/12/3
On Wednesday the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) published its questionnaire with Democratic presidential candidate and retired Gen. Wesley Clark.
On Wednesday the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) published its questionnaire with Democratic presidential candidate and retired Gen. Wesley Clark.
Political observers have been interested in what the former NATO Supreme Commander would say about the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy. In the questionnaire Clark declared he was opposed to the policy and promised change. "It does not serve this country to discriminate against people who want to serve in our armed forces," he concluded.
Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (SLDN) immediately responded to this news, noting on the July 25 episode of CNN's "Crossfire," Clark had said regarding the gay ban: "The military and the chain of command have to decide."
SLDN Executive Director C. Dixon Osburn said his organization welcomed Clark's "clarification" of the issue by saying in a prepared statement, "Gen. Clark now joins a growing chorus of military leaders who endorse repeal of 'don't ask, don't tell.'"
HRC said on its Web site that its questionnaire represents the first time Clark talked about a range of GLBT issues other than the military.
In the questionnaire Clark wrote that he supported same-sex families. "Same-sex couples," he wrote, "deserve the same federal benefits, rights, privileges and responsibilities as opposite-sex couples." Clark went on to write that he supports the Permanent Partners Immigration Act (PPIA), a bill which would allow a partner in a same-sex couple to immigrate to the United States -- something opposite-sex couples can already do. Clark also indicated he supported the rights of gays and lesbians to adopt.
According to the HRC, Clark publicly signaled support for the first time for the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) and the Local Law Enforcement Enhancement Act. ENDA would outlaw job discrimination while the Local Law Enforcement Enhancement Act would add sexual orientation to the 1968 law which covers hate crimes based on race, religion and national origin.
On HIV/AIDS issues, Clark indicated he would: help low-income Americans get better access to treatment by supporting the Early Treatment for HIV Act (ETHA); support those living with the disease by increasing funding for the Ryan White CARE Act; and, ensure prevention methods are comprehensive, age-appropriate and based on scientific methods.
The Gay.com/PlanetOut.com Network asked Matt Bennett, the communications director for the Clark campaign, about the retired general's message to GLBT voters.
"I think his message to gay voters is, 'You have a right to be skeptical of a career military officer, but the fact of the matter is I have plenty of gay friends, (I've) interacted with gay people my whole life and I'm totally comfortable with gay people. America needs to tap the potential of every American citizen regardless of race, sex or sexual orientation.'"
HRC has received the same questionnaire from the other candidates seeking the Democratic nomination but has yet to endorse any candidate for the 2004 election.