Washington, DC - Today, the Stonewall Democrats released the following statement on the contrast on issues of equality between Senators Barack Obama and Joe Biden and the McCain/Palin Ticket:
"Senators Obama and Biden offer a clear contrast to the failed policies promoted by Senator McCain and Governor Palin," said Jon Hoadley, Executive Director. "The choice of a governor mired in charges of personal corruption has even shocked the people of Alaska, and it should shake the conscience of our country. Senator McCain has proven himself aloof, unresponsive, and out of touch with the problems facing America. This breathtakingly poor choice - among many poor choices - demonstrates that he does not possess the sound judgment to lead our country.
In contrast to Senators Obama and Biden, the McCain/Palin Ticket opposes the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, opposes comprehensive hate crimes legislation, opposes immigration equality, and opposes the removal of the failed "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy. Yet, a McCain/Palin ticket is championing right-wing efforts to pass anti-marriage constitutional amendments in Arizona, California and Arkansas. At a time when America is demanding change, the McCain/Palin ticket is more of the same and continues to support the outdated agenda of special interest groups which have crippled the Republican Party just as personal corruption has crippled the Palin Administration in Alaska."
Senator Barack Obama has championed many issues important to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community both in Congress and on the campaign trail. The Senator has vocally advocated for a fully-inclusive Employee Non-Discrimination Act, equitable benefits for the partners of federal employees, increased HIV/AIDS funding, the passage of hate crimes legislation, the repeal of the military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy and the repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act. In striking contrast with his Republican opponent, Senator Obama has clearly opposed anti-marriage ballot initiatives in Arizona, California and Florida. During the nomination season, Senator Obama, and his campaign, routinely engaged members of the Stonewall Democrats. The endorsement of Stonewall Democrats will allow the only national organization of LGBT and allied Democrats to continue to engage and educate the Obama campaign on issues of equality, such as the freedom to marry, while motivating its membership on behalf of the endorsed candidate.
For over two years, Stonewall Democrats used its grassroots network to help shape the Democratic field into the most accountable and tested group of candidates in the history of the Democratic Party. From the living rooms of New Hampshire to the greens of historically Black college campuses, Stonewall Democrats organized its members to meet with candidates to discuss issues that are crucial to LGBT Americans. This included national trainings in the early-
voting states of New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina and Stonewall Democrats town hall events with Democratic presidential campaigns in states like Ohio and Texas. Stonewall Democrats will now use the network of advocates it built upon during the nomination season to organize support for Senator Obama and the Democratic ticket.
National Stonewall Democrats is the national voice of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and allied Democrats, with more than 90 local chapters across the nation. Stonewall Democrats works to elect more pro-equality Democrats - regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity - and to improve the Democratic Party on issues important to LGBT Democrats.
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