Raising the Barr

Republican Congressman turned ACLU consultant Bob Barr yesterday announced he will seek the Libertarian Party’s nomination for the presidency in 2008.

An author of the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act, which declared that states do not have to recognize same-sex marriages from other states, Barr captured Americas attention recently by publishing an op-ed in the Wall Street Journal calling for the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.”

“As a conservative Republican member of Congress from 1995 to 2003, I was hardly a card-carrying member of the gay-rights lobby. I opposed then, and continue to oppose, same-sex marriage, or the designation of gays as a constitutionally protected minority class. Service in the armed forces is another matter. The bottom line here is that, with nearly a decade and a half of the hybrid “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy to guide us, I have become deeply impressed with the growing weight of credible military opinion which concludes that allowing gays to serve openly in the military does not pose insurmountable problems for the good order and discipline of the services,” wrote Barr in June 2007.

“Because the military can’t fill its slots, it has lowered its standards, extended tours of duty and increased rotations, further hurting morale and readiness. Conservatives are supposed to favor meritocracy — rewarding ability — especially in the armed forces. Instead, the military is firing badly needed, capable troops simply because they’re gay, and replacing them with a hodge podge that includes ex-cons, drug abusers and high-school dropouts.”

If Barr wins the Libertarian Party’s nomination, he would join both Democratic nominees, Senators Barack Obama (D-IL) and Hillary Clinton (D-NY), in favoring repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” Sen. John McCain (R-AZ), the Republican nominee, has publically stated “it would be a terrific mistake to even reopen the issue” and that the ban is “working”.

-Victor Maldonado

The Advocate and Senator Obama

This week the Advocate magazine published its recent interview with presidential hopeful Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) during which he and Advocate news editor Kerry Eleveld discussed, among other issues, the need to repeal the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” law.

When asked “if you were elected, what do you plan to do for the LGBT community -- what can you reasonably get done?” Senator Obama replied, “I reasonably can see ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ eliminated.”

I am extremely encouraged by Senator Obama's optimism to get "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" repealed. He, like Senator Clinton, wants this terrible law repealed sooner rather than later. It is also my hope we can persuade Senator McCain this inequitable law must go. Our opportunity to repeal this law is in the next Congress -- with a new president in the White House demonstrating leadership in the repeal fight.

Later in the interview Eleveld returns to the issue of gays in the military asking, “you’ve said before you don’t think that’s [ repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”] a heavy lift. Of course, it would be if you had Joint Chiefs who were against repeal. Is that something you’ll look at?” Senator Obama responded saying he, “would never make this a litmus test for the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Obviously, there are so many issues that a member of the Joint Chiefs has to deal with, and my paramount obligation is to get the best possible people to keep America safe. But I think there’s increasing recognition within the Armed Forces that this is a counterproductive strategy -- ya know, we’re spending large sums of money to kick highly qualified gays or lesbians out of our military, some of whom possess specialties like Arab-language capabilities that we desperately need. That doesn’t make us more safe, and what I want are members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff who are making decisions based on what strengthens our military and what is going to make us safer, not ideology.”

SLDN applauds Senator Obama’s support for repealing “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” and, likewise, we appreciate Senator Clinton’s commitment to get this done. I hope the next president will expect everyone on his or her leadership team to be on the same page on major public policy initiatives, including “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” I believe we have all learned tough lessons from what happens when the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs is not aligned with what his Commander in Chief wants to do. Unfortunately, that kind of disconnect is one of the reasons we got “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” fifteen years ago instead of an executive order permitting open service.

-Aubrey Sarvis

Thank You Wayne

For Americans focused on the Republican and Democratic presidential primaries in Maryland, DC and Virginia yesterday, many may have failed to notice the results from races farther down the ticket from Obama and McCain. One race, of particular note, came in Maryland's 1st Congressional District, where nine-term incumbent Wayne Gilchrest was upset by conservative challenger, state Sen. Andy Harris.

Gilchrest, a Republican from Maryland's Eastern Shore, has been an impassioned advocate for LGBT rights in Congress. Not only did he co-sponsor the Military Readiness Enhancement Act (HR 1246), a Congressional bill to repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell." He also voted in favor of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) and voluntarily agreed not to allow sexual orientation to be a factor in the hiring practices of his personal congressional office.

SLDN will be sorry to see our friend, Wayne Gilchrest, leave Congress. However, we hope that whoever ultimately succeeds in representing Maryland's 1st District will follow Gilchrest's remarkable lead, and continue to fight for the day when all patriotic Americans can serve their country regardless of their sexual orientation.

Thank you Congressman Gilchrest for your years of service and steadfast support of all our brave men and women in uniform. Your presence in Congress will be sorely missed.

-Victor Maldonado

Time and Again -- "Don't Ask Don't Tell" Turns 15

It was 15 years ago today that former President Clinton introduced the American people to the policy which soon became known as "Don't Ask, Don't Tell."

In commemoration of this anniversary, Time magazine's Mark Thompson reports on the experiences of retired naval Captain and SLDN Military Advisory Council Member, Joan Darrah, and talks to her about her time in the military both before and after the law was enacted.

Thompson also points out that 12,000 service members "have been booted from the military since the law took effect, including dozens of Arabic speakers whose skills are particularly prized by the military since the advent of the war on terror." He notes that "while the number discharged for their sexuality has fallen from 1,273 in 2001 to 612 in 2006, Pentagon officials insist they are applying the law as fairly as ever."

This stands in stark contrast to the experiences of gay Army medic and Iraq war veteran, Darren Manzella. Manzella continues to serve today, with the support of his command and colleagues, despite the fact that he recently appeared on 60 Minutes to announce the fact that he is gay. In fact, SLDN is currently aware of hundreds of troops who share similar stories of being ‘out’ to their co-workers and commanders. These men and women continue to serve without incident even after their colleagues learned that they are gay.

15 years after "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" first became law; the United States finds itself in a very different place. In 1993, in the wake of the Cold War and in an era of unparalleled prosperity, America could afford to entertain its bigotries against gays and lesbians. But in 2008, fighting two wars simultaneously, the U.S. military needs to field the best fighting force it can muster, and kicking capable men and women out of the service because they are gay is a bigotry we can no longer afford.

Today, momentum for repeal is growing. Younger enlistees as well as a growing number of senior officers, including former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff John Shalikashvili, agree that it is time to repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” 141 Members of Congress currently support legislation to repeal the ban which according to Darrah, “[will depend] on who moves into the Oval Office a year from now."

- Victor Maldonado

Clarifying the Record

Some of you have called or emailed with concerns about recent remarks by President Bill Clinton regarding "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." Last week, while on the campaign trail with Senator Hillary Clinton, the former President was asked about the law, and responded by saying that his intention in 1993 was to allow service personnel to "be free to live their lives, as long as they didn't go marching in gay rights parades or go to gay bars in uniform . . . in uniform . . . and talk about it on duty, they would be all right." Former President Clinton then went on to note that the law became a way for anti-gay forces in the military to retaliate against, and dismiss, lesbian and gay personnel. (You can watch the full video, from CNN's Situation Room, online here.)

As some of you have pointed out, there are disturbing factual inaccuracies in President Clinton's remarks. And I believe it's important to clarify the record.

Regardless of the intention behind the law, the reality is that it has not served the best interests of service members, our country or national security. Since its implementation, nearly 12,000 men and women have been dismissed under the law. Since 2001, that number has declined significantly, as it historically does during a time of war. During the year 1994-2000, a total of 6,741 service personnel were dismissed under the law. Between 2001 and 2006, that total declined to 4,988. Still, an average of two people are fired under the law every day . . . which is two too many.

President Clinton, and all Americans, should be aware of the realities involved in serving under "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." President Clinton's comments are at odds with the day-to-day reality of serving under the law. That reality is that military members cannot be out to anyone, at anytime, while serving under the law. Statements to friends, family members or anyone else are grounds for dismissal from the armed forces, as they have been since day one. The law, indeed, practically prevents any gay American, who is out in any way, from serving in the military. And, as Senator Clinton and the other Democratic presidential candidates have said, the law does not work, and should be repealed. (Former President Clinton himself has acknowledged that there is "no evidence to support" the law.) Our next commander-in-chief should work with Congress to end "Don't Ask, Don't Tell."

SLDN has, of course, made all of the candidates aware of our views on the law, and the reality of serving under it. In this particular case, we have already made sure that Senator Clinton's campaign is aware of our concerns regarding the President's inaccurate remarks. And, as always, we are committed to making sure that the facts about "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," and the very compelling reasons to support its repeal, are before our elected officials and other key stakeholders.

All of us at SLDN look forward to working with a new administration to end this law. Fourteen years of evidence has clearly shown there is no justification for maintaining "Don't Ask, Don't Tell."

- Aubrey Sarvis

Huckabee -- In His Own Words

So, Mike Huckabee has become the chattering classes’ cause celeb and for the first time this primary season, the bright lights of the nation's attention are being cast in his direction. Will Huckabee emerge from the political mist to ascend to the presidency like Jimmy Cater in 1976? Or will he shine bright and then flame out like other candidates have before? The decision is up to you.

In an effort to keep our readers and supporters informed SLDN has put together a small selection of notes and quotes from Huckabee on the issue of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell."

In response to a questionnaire Huckabee filled-out in 1992, during his first run for political office, he rejected the idea of allowing gays and lesbians to serve openly, before adding:

"I believe to try to legitimize that which is inherently illegitimate would be a disgraceful act of government. I feel homosexuality is an aberrant, unnatural and sinful lifestyle, and we now know it can pose a dangerous public health risk."

More recently, when answering a question on "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" during the Republican CNN/YouTube debate, Huckabee reaffirmed his support for the ban by saying that:

"The Uniform Code of Military Justice is probably the best rule, and it has to do with conduct. People have a right to have whatever feelings, whatever attitudes they wish, but when their conduct could put at risk the morale, or put at risk even the cohesion that Duncan Hunter spoke of, I think that's what is at issue. And that's why our policy is what it is."

So here you have it -- Mike Huckabee in his own words. I hope this information answers some questions you may have about who Huckabee is and what he believes.

Will Huckabee surge from dark-horse candidate to become the Republican presidential nominee? Will his star fall to earth as quickly as it rose? Only you, the voter, can decide.

I know who I will, and who I won't, be supporting for president. Do you?

-Victor Maldonado

Huckabee's Free Pass?

The Iowa Independent has an interesting op-ed column, posted online here, regarding the GOP presidential hopefuls' stances (or, maybe, stance since they essentially share the same view) on "Don't Ask, Don't Tell."

On Duncan Hunter:

Congressman Duncan Hunter (R-CA), in expressing why he supports excluding gay troops, recently said their straight co-workers "have conservative values, and they have Judeo-Christian values. To force those people to work in a small tight unit with somebody who is openly homosexual goes against what they believe to be their principles, and it is their principles, is I think a disservice to them."

The Independent points out the obvious problem with Hunter's statement.

"Is Hunter suggesting the military segregate soldiers based on ideology to maintain unit cohesion?," the Independent wonders. "The military has a history of being one of the first governmental institutions to implement desegregation policies, yet Hunter wants to reverse this trend, which his fellow Republican President Harry S. Truman initiated in 1950."

"In an attempt to appeal to his conservative base, Hunter opened up a new vein of discrimination against moderates and liberals serving in the military," the paper says. "The big question is, if elected, would Hunter expand DADT to include anyone whose ideology isn't consistent with the conservatives?"

On Mike Huckabee:

"Huckabee did manage to undermine the premise of Hunter's argument about protecting conservative principles," the Independent writes.

"The Uniform Code of Military Justice is probably the best rule, and it has to do with conduct. People have a right to have whatever feelings, whatever attitudes they wish," Huckabee said at the same debate where Hunter made his Judeo-Christian remarks. "But when their conduct could put at risk the morale, I think that's what is at issue. And that's why our policy is what it is."

"Here, Huckabee argues that it's a homosexual's conduct that jeopardizes morale, and by conduct [we] assume he's referring to sexual conduct," the paper says. "However, no other soldier's sexual conduct is put under the morality microscope, so under a Huckabee administration, soldiers who indulge in pre-marital sex or adultery are given a free pass."

Huckabee, who has been gaining significant attention in recent weeks as he also gains in polls, seems to be suggesting a "separate but equal" policy for LGBT troops. While he acknowledges that the UCMJ prohibits certain conduct, he neglects to point out that those rules & regulations apply to every service member, gay or straight. So, in fact, there are already rules about conduct that gay troops must follow.

Huckabee and other GOP contenders have been fond of talking (un-necessarily, because of the UCMJ rules mentioned here) about the behavior of gay service members. But they haven't been called out, until now, on the fact that their remarks indicate they would, as the Independent notes, give a pass to all of our other uniformed personnel who violate the regulations, if they aren't lesbian or gay.

We know that "separate but equal" has never worked in our country before, and it won't this time either. And, the argument Huckabee wants to make is about behavior, and that's not what the ban on gay troops is about. It never has been. And it's not about free passes, either.

In reality, "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" is about who you are, and not what you do. It's sheer discrimination applied to every LGBT service member regardless of how closely they adhere to UCMJ rules. That's a point Governor Huckabee missed in his remarks, and one he should be called out on. And we're glad The Iowa Independent has done just that.

- Steve Ralls

Obama Endorses MREA

Senator Barack Obama (D-IL), a candidate for the 2008 Democratic presidential nomination, has said that as commander-in-chief he will press Congress to pass The Military Readiness Enhancement Act, a bill to repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell."

All this week, candidates responded to a question from the Human Rights Campaign about how, as president, they would work to repeal the law. Senator Obama said, in part, that "As president, I will work with Congress and place the weight of my administration behind enactment of the Military Readiness Enhancement Act, which will make nondiscrimination the official policy of the U.S. military. I will task the Defense Department and the senior command structure in every branch of the armed forces with developing an action plan for the implementation of a full repeal of 'Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.' And I will direct my Secretaries of Defense and Homeland Security to develop procedures for taking re-accession requests from those qualified service members who were separated from the armed forces under Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell and still want to serve their country."

Obama's statement is a strong stance in favor of our men and women in uniform, and welcome news.

You can read the other candidates' responses at HRC Back Story.

- Steve Ralls

A Gay General Asks. Will GOP Candidates Tell?

Brigadier General Keith Kerr, CSMR (Ret.), a member of SLDN's military advisory council, has posed a question for tonight's CNN/YouTube debate with GOP presidential candidates.

"I want to know," General Kerr, who has 43 years of service under his belt asks, "why you think that American men and women in uniform are not professional enough to serve with gays and lesbians."

It's a good question, and one we hope will make it into tonight's debate. Tune in to CNN, beginning at 8pm, to see if General Kerr's question makes the line-up.

- Steve Ralls

On Bilerico: Hillary Got it Right

There have been some curious headlines in the LGBT press following remarks Senator Hillary Clinton made during a campaign stop in Tama, Iowa on Monday.

Answering a question from Air Force Major Gary Mathis of Cedar Rapids about privacy and "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," Senator Clinton reiterated her long-held position that the ban on gay troops must be repealed. "I feel strongly that if someone wants to serve their country, if they’re a patriot, if they comply with the code of military justice and they have the appropriate behavior, they shouldn’t be disqualified from serving simply because they’re gay," Senator Clinton said.

She took exactly the right position: Opportunity for gay Americans to serve in our armed forces, and a level playing field for every service member, regardless of their sexual orientation.

So why did the LGBT blogosphere, Major Mathis - and even The New York Times - miss the point?

Continue reading Hillary Got It Right on Bilerico.com

Quote of the Day

"I feel strongly that if someone wants to serve their country, if they're a patriot, if they'll comply with the code of military justice and have appropriate behavior, they should not be disqualified simply because they are gay."

- Senator Hillary Clinton, answering a question from an Iowa vet on Monday

Clinton Reminds Gay Vet in Iowa that She Supports Repeal

Senator Hillary Clinton (D-NY) told a gay veteran in Iowa who was dismissed under "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" that she continues to support repeal of the law that bans lesbian, gay and bisexual service members from our armed forces.

According to the Des Moines Register, "Nick Brown, 23, waited outside of Clinton’s Polk County field office at 1900 Ingersoll Ave. around 5 p.m. . . . to catch her as she greeted and shook hands with supporters."

Brown "pleaded" with Clinton, the Register reports, to endorse repeal of the law.

"I think it needs to be repealed," Clinton, who is running for the Democratic presidential nomination, said to him, noting that she has previously made such statements.

"Brown said he was forced to leave the military in 2003 after Army officials discovered he had a profile on a Web site designed for gay users," the papernoted. "I wanted to serve my country but I couldn’t because they don’t let gay men serve in the military," Brown said.

Clinton, who has been a longtime supporter of repeal, seems to have won the vet over.

He plans to vote for Clinton, Brown said after the event.

As the 2008 race heats up, there are a growing number of Americans anxious for a commander-in-chief who wants to lift the ban. And with all of the Democratic candidates calling for repeal, those who support open service have a long list of candidates to throw their support behind (unless they happen to be Republicans, as the GOP line-up has unanimously supported the status quo).

- Steve Ralls

Quote of the Day

"Anybody who is willing to serve our country and die on a battlefield for us and our patriots, that’s the criteria for whether or not they should be able to serve in our military. England doesn’t have this policy. Israel doesn’t have this policy. It’s an outdated policy."

- Illinois Senator (and Democratic presidential candidate) Barack Obama, responding to a question about "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" during a rally in Iowa on October 5

Where is the thunderous applause?

This week, from 365 Gay, the Ig Nobel Prize, a paradoy of the Nobel Prize, is awarded each year in early October in ten different fields of study that "first make people laugh, and then make them think." Organized by scientific humor magazine Annals of Improbable Research and presented by a group including genuine Noble Laureates at Harvard University.

The United States Air Force won this year's Ig Nobel Prize for Peace for their 'Gay Bomb' proposal that came to light earlier this year. The Air Force's Wright Laboratory in Dayton Ohio drafted a $7.5m request to creat a non-lethal weapon that would release a chemical rendering enemy combatants irrisistable to eachother. The documents, which date back to 2004 were obtained through the Freedom of Information ACt by the Sunshine Project-an organization that exposes research into chemical and bilogical weapons-exposing the military's research into non-leathals weapons that would disrupt discipline among troops.

Yes, some people laughed. But at who's expense? More than 11,704 lesbian, gay, and bisexual personnel have already been discharged from the military under DADT, more than 65,000 are currently serving, and there are more than a million lgbt veterans in the United States. Are they laughing? How do they feel knowing that the military has been awarded for thier continued discrimination that is not only legal, but mandated by current US statute?

“The Air Force’s proposal is delusional, homophobic and offensive,” said C. Dixon Osburn in January of 2005, a past Executive Director of Servicemembers Legal Defense Network.

“Gays and lesbians serve in the United States armed forces and in the militaries of our closest allies. They do so as part of a formidable fighting force. The assertion that a gay opponent would be somehow less effective in combat is outrageous. No one questioned the battle prowess of Alexander the Great because of his sexual orientation.”

A number of retired and active Air Force personnel were invited to accept the prize in person on behalf of the military. None would.

"Who in their right mind would turn something like this down?" Cornell University professor Brian Wansink said.

-Jason Knight

• Gays in the Military: Gen. Pace & Sen. Harkin Face Off

The Old Adventures of New Duncan Hunter?

There goes Duncan Hunter.

Yes, it's true. The notoriously homophobic Congressman from California - who steadfastly refused to appreciate or even acknowledge the service of the LGBT Americans in our armed forces - is retiring.

But, as the saying goes, there will always be another Duncan Hunter. And as The Hill reports, old Duncan (pictured) is stepping down just as "his 30-year-old son prepares to mount a race for his father’s seat."

Welcome to The Old Adventures of New Duncan Hunter.

[New] "Hunter says he will soon formally announce his candidacy, but not on April Fool’s Day," the paper reports. "'Not April 1 of course,'" he said, laughing. "'Maybe a day after.'"

Actually, April 1 may be all too appropriate for starting a new Duncan Hunter campaign.

If, like his father, 'New' Duncan thinks LGBT service members haven't earned the respect and admiration of our country, he's another fool, too. And if he thinks Americans will allow him to treat our men and women in uniform so dismissively, the joke's going to be on him.

Here's hoping the voters of Hunter's district are no fools, either. One Duncan Hunter seemed one too many; two Duncan Hunters would be much too much for sure.

The Hunters' anti-gay antics are becoming very, very old.

And while there may not be anymore dates for me with Old Duncan Hunter, it's a sacrifice I'm willing to make if I just don't have to put up with the 'New.'

- Steve Ralls

The Advocate turns 40!

Thanks in large part to the pioneering efforts of Cher, no one in LA actually looks their age. That fact was definatly true for the guest of honor at last week's party celebrating the 40th Anniversary of The Advocate -- the magazine itself!

Always topical, never boring -- The Advocate remains, forty years after its first publication, young, hip and relevant.

First published in 1967 by founder Dick Michaels, the Advocate gave voice to a community of men and women who had long been relegated to the fringes of society. Through the 1970's The Advocate helped to cultivate the LGBT community's sense of personal pride and in the 1980's The Advocate helped to bring national attention to the plight of our community as we suffered through the AIDS crisis. Today, the Advocate stands as America's preeminent LGBT magazine, attracting readers from all walks of life interested in a gay perspective on issues and events of the day.

As testiment to the important place The Advocate holds in the LGBT community, presidential aspirent Sen. Hillary Clinton will grace the cover of next month's issue and discuss, with reporter Sean Kennedy, political issues affecting the LGBT community and what is at stake in the 2008 election (including repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell").

Thank you to the editorial staff at the Advocate for hosting this event and for giving us all the opportunity to pause and reflect on just how far
our community, and our nation, has come in 40 years. When you think about it, that should be celebrated!

-Victor Maldonado

Biden Calls Military Ban 'Bizarre'

Democratic presidential contender Joe Biden (pictured) weighed in on a number of LGBT issues over the weekend, including the military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" ban on lesbian, gay and bisexual troops.

Senator Biden (D-DE) called the ban "bizarre," according to the Des Moines Register. "He recalled a conversation with a serviceman in Iraq," the paper reported. "Asked his opinion of the policy, the soldier's response to it, Biden said, was, 'What difference does it make? The question is, 'Can he shoot straight?'"

Indeed, that now infamous proclamation from former Senator Barry Goldwater is becoming a popular talking point on the Democratic campaign trail. Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY) has also used Goldwater's quote on the campaign, and even New York Times columnist Maureen Dowd brought it up in her recent column on the topic.

And while there are many other words that come to mind when thinking about "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," bizarre seems to work, too. After all, it certainly doesn't make sense to fire two good people every day, only to replace them with two people who wouldn't be qualified for service under the enlistment standards of yesterday.

- Steve Ralls

Of John McCain, Acronyms & What America's About

Senator John McCain (R-AZ), speaking to students at Concord High School in New Hampshire, became quite confused when asked about the LGBT community.

According to The Trail, a student asked McCain what he "would do on LGBT issues." Then, "McCain, paused, confused by the question. Someone in the crowd shouted out 'lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender.' 'I had not heard that phrase before,' McCain said of LGBT."

Good grief. Is John McCain - who is campaigning to be our country's chief executive - really so out of touch with the country that he doesn't even know who we are? (I remember well, during the 2004 campaign, when Ambassador Carol Moseley Braun was praised for referring to our community by the very same acronym. At the time, one press outlet reported her embrace of the phrase progressive. And in the 2008, it should just be plain common sense.)

But regardless, once educated about the four-letter reference, McCain caught on, and came out with his usual anti-gay tirade.

"McCain then explained that while he opposed discrimination, he also felt marriage was between a man and a woman and noted he supported the 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' policy on gays in the military," The Trail reports. "The student, a junior named William Sleaster, then persisted, asking the candidate if he supported gay marriage or civil unions. McCain said 'I do not.'" The student, standing at microphone across from the stage where McCain was speaking then declared 'I came here to see a good leader. I do not.'"

McCain just said, "That's what America's about."

Oh really, Senator? Because I have this crazy idea that, in addition to the right to disagree and dissent, America is also about equal protection, equal justice and equal rights under the law. Some of us actually think it's OK to serve our country, love our partner and be full citizens . . . even if, yes, we're LGBT.

It's sad to see John McCain so out of touch with the country he wants to lead. The 'maverick' Senator, once admired for taking principled stands is increasingly standing alone.

Do we really want a president who divides and conquers and thinks inequality is what America is all about?

I do not.

- Steve Ralls

What Campaign Issue is Important to You?

LOGO's Visible Vote 08 is doing an online poll - right now - asking LGBT voters what issue is the most important to them when casting a vote in 2008: "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," ENDA, Marriage, Hate Crime Laws, Health Care & Partner Benefits, HIV/AIDS, or Transgender Issues.

You can vote now by clicking here.