Out for Edwards

Obama Picks Up LGBT Supporters From Edwards

David Mariner — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 19:42:00 +0000

The Advocate reports "a critical mass of John Edwards's LGBT steering committee is going public with support for Sen. Barack Obama over Sen. Hillary Clinton. Twenty-two members of the Edwards campaign's original 59-person gay and lesbian committee will now be working for Obama victories next Tuesday and throughout the rest of the primary season.

The new Obama converts include Eric Stern, who headed up Edwards's LGBT steering committee, and longtime gay activist David Mixner, who famously campaigned for Bill Clinton in 1992, holding some of the first gay fund-raisers for a U.S. presidential candidate."

Op-Ed from NH State Rep Mo Baxley--Edwards for President

Eric Stern — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 17:29:00 +0000

Friends:

Please find below a terrific and compelling op-ed from Mo Baxley, New Hampshire State Representative and Executive Director of the New Hampshire Freedom to Marry Coalition. It is important to note that:

1) Mo's op-ed is the only one from a New Hampshire state activist. Obama and Clinton's op-eds are from national LGBT leaders. Bay Windows is the most widely-read LGBT newspaper in New Hampshire and we believe that local LGBT voters will respond more so to a state activist like Mo than they will national LGBT leaders.

2) Mo makes reference to the fact that while all of the candidates were invited to meet with the board of the NH Freedom to Marry Coalition that Hillary Clinton could not find the time to attend this meeting or any other local LGBT events. This supports what I was hearing on the ground in Iowa as well--Hillary is taking our votes for granted and believes she does not have go out and work hard to earn them. This is in striking contrast to John Edwards---who has worked harder and done more than any other candidate to earn the support of LGBT voters.

Please send this out to your entire network----including Edwards supporters, supporters of other candidates and undecided voters.

Happy Caucus Day!
Eric

Columnists :: Guest Opinion

Edwards for president
by Mo Baxley
Contributing writer
Thursday Jan 3, 2008

http://www.baywindows.com/index.php?ch=columnists&sc=guest_opinion&sc2=&sc3=&id=54314

While we in New Hampshire are proud of the Democratic candidates' across-the-board public support for LGBT issues, John Edwards has worked harder to earn and win our vote and has demonstrated that he will stand up and fight for our community. As a result, we believe that John Edwards is the best candidate for the LGBT community and encourage all of New Hampshire's LGBT and allied voters to vote for him on Jan. 8.

The leading Democratic candidates (Edwards, Clinton and Obama) agree on many of the issues important to LGBT voters in New Hampshire and across the country, like enacting the Employment Non-Discrimination Act and repealing the military's discriminatory Don't Ask, Don't Tell. Indeed, our community would fare much better under the Administration of any one of these candidates as opposed to that of any of the leading Republican candidates.

Edwards, Clinton and Obama all support inclusive versions of the ENDA and hate crimes legislation, increasing funding to fight the HIV/AIDS epidemic and securing adoption rights for LGBT individuals and families. They would all work with Congress to repeal Don't Ask, Don't Tell. And they are all opposed to the anti-LGBT "Federal Marriage Amendment" and in support of federally-recognized civil unions for same-sex couples in committed relationships. Yet there are also meaningful and personal distinctions.

Both Edwards and Obama support full repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), while Clinton supports amending only the portion of the bill her husband signed that prohibits the federal government from recognizing same-sex unions. Clinton also has a strong platform on issues of importance to the LGBT community, but her support for only partially repealing DOMA and her past involvement in the passage of two of the most damaging pieces of anti-gay legislation ever (DOMA and Don't Ask, Don't Tell) have us yearning for a leader like Edwards who can help us move beyond these moments in history and begin anew on our quest for equality under the law. It is worth noting that Senator Clinton was the only major candidate not to hold an LGBT event or speak to the NH LGBT community. Rule one of politics is, "If you want someone to vote for you must ask them to vote for you." Evidently, Senator Clinton does not want our votes. Her campaign does not even include an LGBT link on its web page!

Obama lost the support of many in the LGBT community when he featured anti-gay entertainers at campaign events in South Carolina and then went ahead with the events even after being personally informed of the entertainers' very public and virulently anti-gay remarks - making him the only Democratic candidate to be protested by members of our community. While Obama certainly has a pro-LGBT platform, in this circumstance, his actions speak louder than his well-intentioned words and we can not support a candidate that harmed the LGBT community in South Carolina in his quest to become president.

Edwards has worked hard since announcing his candidacy for President to earn our support. He was the first candidate to publicly release the candidate questionnaire for the Human Rights Campaign; the first to publicly announce an LGBT steering committee; the first to release a comprehensive plan for addressing the domestic HIV/AIDS crisis; and the first to visit a gay and lesbian community center. The dynamic Elizabeth Edwards also became the first spouse of a candidate to speak at a gay Pride weekend - the San Francisco Alice B. Toklas LGBT Democratic Club - an event at which she declared her support for marriage equality. Edwards has also proudly and publicly dispatched high-profile LGBT supporters (like former National Stonewall Democrats Executive Director Eric Stern) to talk to LGBT voters in key early states like Iowa.

Edwards has not only demonstrated through these actions that our community is a vital part of this campaign whose support he is working hard to earn, but he has also proven that he will stand up for our community as our next president. When General Peter Pace (who was also then the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff) called gays and lesbians "immoral," Edwards was the only candidate to immediately denounce and disagree with Pace's attack on millions of hard-working, tax-paying LGBT Americans. Neither Clinton nor Obama were able to do the same when initially asked to respond to Pace's hateful and very public remarks. Edwards spoke from his heart in defending our community from this vicious attack and he will do the same as our president.

By observing how the candidates run their campaigns, we learn how their administrations will run and the level of commitment they have to us as a community.

We are voting for John Edwards on Jan. 8 and we would encourage and welcome all of New Hampshire's LGBT and allied voters to join us.

Mo Baxley is a representative in the New Hampshire state legislature and the executive director of the New Hampshire Freedom to Marry Coalition.

John Edwards Statement on NH Civil Unions

Eric Stern — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 20:00:00 +0000

JOHN EDWARDS STATEMENT ON NEW HAMPSHIRE'S CIVIL UNION LAW TAKING EFFECT

(Manchester, NH) – Senator John Edwards released the following statement today as New Hampshire's civil union law takes effect.

“In April of last year, Gov. Lynch and the state of New Hampshire passed a bill officially recognizing civil unions for gay and lesbian couples. This courageous act showed us that the idea of America – fairness, justice and equal opportunity – can become a reality when we have the courage to stand up for what is right.

“Today, the work of equality advocates comes to fruition as that law takes effect. New Hampshire’s decision to recognize civil unions and grant gay and lesbian couples the same rights granted by the state to heterosexual married couples is an important step forward on the march toward equality, fairness and justice.”

-30-

Paid for by John Edwards for President.

Another Key LGBT Endorsement from an Early State

Eric Stern — Fri, 28 Dec 2007 20:26:00 +0000

Q-Notes Endorses John Edwards for President

I am proud to announce that Q-Notes, the leading LGBT news source for North Carolina and South Carolina has decided to endorse John Edwards for President. This is a particularly significant LGBT endorsement in the 2008 Presidential Election given that South Carolina will be holding its primary on January 26th, 2008--only 7 days after the Nevada Caucus and during the same month as the first contests in Iowa and New Hampshire.

This important state LGBT endorsement of John Edwards for President follows the earlier endorsement by New Hampshire State Represenative Mo Baxley and the New Hampshire Freedom to Marry Coalition. The Edwards Campaign worked hard to earn these endorsements and is honored to have such deep LGBT support in the early contest states.

---

Statement from the Editorial Board of Q-Notes:

"After a series of meetings between the editors, the staff and the publisher, Q-Notes has endorsed John Edwards for President. His concrete, progressive policy positions (including steadfast support for pro-LGBT issues), his commitment to returning power to the people from moneyed special interests, his outstanding polling strength against the Republicans and his positive impact for down-ticket candidates nationwide combine to make him the best candidate in the race.

Q-Notes encourages all lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender voters to support John Edwards in the primaries and beyond."

---

Key OH LGBT Activist Endorses John Edwards for President

Eric Stern — Fri, 28 Dec 2007 17:29:00 +0000

Jason Lansdale is the past President of the Central Ohio Stonewall Democrats.

Friends, over the past several months, many of you have asked which presidential candidate I am supporting in 2008.

As many of you know I have always been politically active with the Democratic Party, and with various LGBT causes. As a nation, we are facing many challenges, from the ongoing wars in Iraq and Afghanistan to other domestic challenges around health care, a weak dollar, the housing crisis, environmental issues, and product/food safety to name a few.

As usual, the Ohio electorate will decide who goes to the White House in January 2009. In thinking about that, and my upbringing, we need a candidate who understands the challenges our great nation faces. We need a candidate who represents our values, yet can provide moral leadership. We need a candidate who can represent the average American and commit to improving our daily lives. In looking at all the candidates, both Republican and Democrats, I see one candidate who clearly stands out to lead this nation into its next chapter, Senator John Edwards.

I am supporting John Edwards because as he puts it (and very well I would add) “ America needs a fighter.” We are seeing more and more our country divided on many matters, and I firmly believe in John Edwards ability in bridging that divide to take the United States into a new and positive direction to mend our broken image around the globe.

Having been raised and going to college in Southwest Ohio, living in Columbus for several years, and now in Cleveland , I have a pretty unique view of our great state, and it’s a state Edwards can win. I grew up in a part of Ohio which leans very conservative and I have seen John Edwards connect well with Ohioans from there. I witnessed this first hand in the summer of 2004 the day he was selected as Sen. John Kerry’s running mate. I had the privilege to join both of them in a kickoff event in Dayton , where I spent time with both he and Elizabeth, and I was truly amazed. Many local, state, and national political figures have crossed my path over the years, but none have left such an impact of hope and optimism as John and Elizabeth. John Edwards can win Ohio . I know our state well and believe he can win the Buckeye state.

Personally I connect well with his upbringing in a blue collar household, similar to my own. Those experiences have helped shape me to who I am today. Often I reflect on who can connect with the people who I grew up with and John Edwards is that person. He has spent his life providing a voice for those who cannot. He will be the kind of president we can trust to fight for everyday Americans.

Reflecting on issues which I see are key, John offers crisp and refreshing insight to today’s challenges. John supports complete withdrawal of all combat troops from Iraq within the next year, balanced with sound national security policy. He supports and will drive for economic independence from foreign oil, universal health care with shared responsibility between payer and patient, and solid answers to the extreme mortgage crisis which has hit us especially hard in the Buckeye State . Also, he supports more frequent and transparent information provided about food and products we as Americans take for granted everyday. Something the current administration, nor the other candidates have clearly addressed.

I cannot offer my reflection without mention of John’s positions on LGBT equality. He is hands down, the best candidate to provide the new leadership our community deserves. We are exhausted with rhetoric and lies from campaigns on both sides of the political aisle and its time we get behind a candidate who has a proven record on equality for our citizens, and one who will stand with us for full equality. He stands for equal rights, an end to failed policy around “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” which allows our community to serve openly in the military, full repeal of the Federal Defense of Marriage Act, immigration equality, a comprehensive and well-funded HIV/AIDS program and believes that any kind of discrimination is morally wrong.

I am proud to personally endorse John Edwards for our next president. The time for new leadership has come, and I hope you will consider joining me in supporting him in 2008. I wanted to share my news with the many people I have crossed paths with over the years.

For more info on his campaign, visit www.johnedwards.com

Warm Regards,

Jason Lansdale

Edwards Winning Over NH LGBT Community

Eric Stern — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 23:54:00 +0000

New Hampshire Freedom to Marry endorses John Edwards for president
State Rep. Mo Baxley adds her personal endorsement to the mix

by William Henderson
December 20, 2007
www.innewsweekly.com

New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, says state Rep. and New Hampshire Freedom to Marry executive director Mo Baxley, is an extremely friendly personable candidate ("Which is not typical of a presidential candidate, who you find are more guarded," she added.), and Illinois Sen. Barrack Obama certainly impressed on Sunday, Dec. 9 during a meeting with the state equality group (having Oprah at his side during a rally didn't hurt) but it is John Edwards, former Senator from North Carolina, who earned the group's endorsement on Friday for president.

"I am proud to announce both our group's endorsement, as well as my personal endorsement, of John Edwards for president," said Baxley in a press statement. "We took a long look at all of the candidates, we met with many of them, and in our judgment, John Edwards' sincere commitment to battling discrimination and ensuring equal rights for every American is unparalleled. He and his wonderful wife Elizabeth have spent their entire lives fighting for those without a voice and standing up for what is right. John Edwards will be the kind of president we can trust to stand up for everyday Americans."

But during a telephone interview this week, Baxley was more forthcoming on what it is about Edwards that won him the marriage group's support.

"Several of them impressed us, but Edwards laid it on the line. Let's sit here and talk, he said. And while we disagree with him on marriage [Edwards does not support full equality, but does support civil unions], his willingness to discuss that with us in depth and to hear his personal feelings about the conflict we have was impressive, as opposed to his trying to spin it or tell us why [civil unions] were the best for everyone."

Adding to Edwards' appeal, she said, is his wife, Elizabeth, who supports marriage equality and marched in the San Francisco Gay Pride Parade as its grand marshall this year.

"I am proud to have the endorsements of Mo and New Hampshire Freedom to Marry," Edwards said in a statement. "NHFTM has done outstanding work advocating for LGBT families in New Hampshire. I am committed to equality for all Americans - discrimination of any kind is morally wrong. I believe that all Americans should have the same freedoms and the same responsibilities."

According to his campaign, Edwards opposes discrimination in all forms, supports the repeal of "Don't ask, don't tell" as well as the full repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act. He supports equal rights for same-sex couples and believes that all Americans should have the same rights and responsibilities. As president, he will expand hate crimes legislation and will prohibit job discrimination.

NHFTM made its decision to endorse John Edwards after considering all candidates' policy positions, voting records and their campaigns' outreach to the LGBT community, said Baxley. They met with candidates and contacted leaders in the gay community in their home states as well as the other early caucus and primary states. Which meant, said Baxley, reaching out to leaders within the GLBT community of North Carolina to find out, "is this guy for real."

And the answer, she said, was a resounding yes.

"We've all been fooled before by candidates who want to promise but who don't follow through," she said.

Eric Stern, former National Stonewall Democrats executive director, is serving as an advisor to the John Edwards for President Campaign about GLBT issues. He has traversed the country over the past few weeks speaking with gay voters. The NHFTM endorsement, said Stern on Wednesday, is a "springboard" from which to grow Edwards' LGBT support base. As of just two weeks ago, 42 GLBT organization heads and former heads, including David Mixner, former Bill Clinton for President Adviser and Ian Palmquist, Equality North Carolina executive director, have endorsed Edwards.

"John Edwards has demonstrated a desire to stand up for our community," says Stern. "We've worked harder and have done more to go out there and earn and win the support of LGBT leaders and LGBT voters, and I think we're a community that hasn't always been courted."

During the past few months, NHFTM has met with Obama, Edwards, Richardson and U.S. Rep. Dennis Kucinich, (D-OH), (the only candidate who supports full equality). This is the first year the group has had such conversations with candidates vying for the presidency. And, as it turned out, not all conversations were sought initially by the group. As often as they reached out to campaigns, the candidates courted them for a conversation. New York Sen. Hillary Clinton, considered by some to be the leader, and by others, trailing Obama, did not meet with the group.

"If we are 5 percent of the population, we're a highly registered 5 percent, and most of us are overwhelmingly registered Democrats," says Baxley. "But this is the first time that candidates have met with just the rank-and-file members of New Hampshire's gay and lesbian community. "

Topics convered during these separate conversations included healthcare, marriage equality, the Employment Non-Discrimination Act and repealing "Don't ask, don't tell."

"We all go and see the candidates at the regular events, but it was important for us to have time to focus on our issues," said Baxley. "We can't spend an hour talking to a candidate strictly about LGBT issues at regular town hall meetings. Other people have issues, too."

Despite the group's endorsement of Edwards, Baxley does feel that all of the candidates are good and would serve the GLBT commnity well.

"I think most of them want to be involved in the community, so it's hard to just pick one," she said. "But Edwards has made it clear that we're an important part of America. And that has come across from day one."

Gay voters, said Stern, can swing elections, so getting their vote is key to any victory.

"We turn out and we vote and the Edwards campaign is not going to take any vote for granted," said Stern. "I think the New Hampshire Freedom to Marry endorsement is a breakthrough and shows our hard work is paying off." •

Eric Stern: The Iowa Diaries

David Mariner — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 17:52:00 +0000

Last week, I traveled to Iowa to campaign for John Edwards in Des Moines, Ames and Iowa City. The campaign set up a number of great local events where I had the opportunity to talk to Iowa’s voters about why I am supporting Edwards for President and to personally invite them to join our team. Many of the events at which I would be speaking were geared towards Iowa’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) communities. However, as I learned quickly, every Iowa voter I encountered—whether on the plane, at the gas station or at a diner—was eager to talk about the caucuses and to learn more about why I had taken time off from work as a volunteer to campaign for Edwards.

IOWA DIARY

Tuesday, December 11, 2007 (12:15 p.m.)
DES MOINES
After looking at local weather reports, I was pretty concerned about being able to make it to Des Moines. I flew from Oakland, California to Denver, Colorado and then was scheduled to fly from Denver to Des Moines. While waiting in Denver, I heard some folks behind me talking about how the Des Moines airport had been closed all morning and that two morning flights had been cancelled. Things didn’t look good! Then, to our delight, we received news from United that our flight would be boarding shortly and that the Des Moines airport had re-opened. Iowa—here I come!

Blazing Saddles—Meet & Greet with the Local LGBT Community (6:00 p.m.)
After arriving in Des Moines, Iowa Deputy Political Director Alanna Kelly and I headed over to Blazing Saddles, Des Moines’ first gay bar (opened in 1982) for a meet and greet with the local LGBT community. Because the weather had forced nearly all of the presidential candidates to cancel their events in Des Moines, we had a fairly large crowd at the bar. We were greeted at the door by Bob “Mongo” Eikleberry—the owner of the Blazing Saddle. Mongo, a Vietnam Veteran and the founder of the All Iowa AIDS Benefit, is one of the pillars of the Des Moines LGBT community. He has been a role model and source of support for dozens of LGBT youth who came to Des Moines after being kicked out of their homes after revealing their sexual orientation to their parents. Mongo is an inspiration to us all and I am proud to say also a strong and vocal supporter of John Edwards. I spent the evening talking with a diverse group of local LGBT voters—young, old, black, white, gay, lesbian and allied. Many of the voters with whom I talked are still undecided, but I wanted to make sure they knew that the Edwards Campaign was working to earn their vote and that our campaign welcomes and would be honored by the support of LGBT voters across America. Several voters told me that the Edwards Campaign was the first to send an openly gay surrogate to the bar to ask them for their support. Great first event—going back to the hotel to crash and get ready for a long day of travel and events!

Wednesday, December 12, 2007
DES MOINES

Breakfast with Carolyn Jenison—Executive Director of One Iowa (9:00 a.m.)
Alanna and I had the opportunity to have breakfast with Carolyn—the head of One Iowa, Iowa’s statewide LGBT advocacy organization. We learned from Carolyn about the extensive community education efforts One Iowa is doing all across the state and the Caucus Project they have put in place to increase the participation of the Iowa’s LGBT community in the January 3 Caucuses. The Edwards Campaign has been sending our Iowa LGBT supporters to One Iowa Caucus trainings and meetings and we are proud of this partnership. Carolyn is a fabulous leader doing vitally important work. She told us that she and her partner caucused for Edwards in 2004 and we would proud and honored to have the support of her and partner again in 2008.

AMES (11:00 a.m.)
On to Ames—the home of Iowa State University and the Cyclones for Edwards!

Community Meet & Greet at Legends American Grill (12:00 p.m.)
Our local field organizers in Ames set up a fantastic meet and greet with undecided voters—both gay and straight in a private skybox room at Legends overlooking the beautiful Iowa State University campus. Upon arriving, I met two remarkable community leaders—Terry Lowman and his husband Mark Kassis. Terry and Mark are openly gay business owners in Ames and proud supporters of John Edwards for President. I also met a number of Iowa State University undergraduate students and graduate students who are serving as precinct co-chairs in their student communities. There was great energy at this event and a number of the more senior voters I met at this event who were undecided before have now since committed to caucus for Edwards. Terry and Mark, like Mongo, are local pillars of the Ames LGBT community. On my way out of the event, Terry told me a story that nearly broke my heart. He told me that it had not always been easy to be openly gay business owners in Ames. But, one experience made them realize it had been worth it. They received a letter from a young man in Ames who told them that he had considered suicide a number of times after realizing that he was gay. But, after learning and reading about Terry and Mark and their success as a couple and as business owners, he told them that he knew he could survive and make it. It is individuals like Terry and Mark and Mongo who make our community so strong.

IOWA CITY (4:00 p.m.)
On to Iowa City—the home of the University of Iowa, the Hawkeyes for Edwards group, and one of America’s best kept secrets. (On our drive out to Iowa City, we kept hoping to run into John Edwards, Kevin Bacon and Tim Robbins on their statewide bus tour—no luck!!) My best friend in college is from Iowa City—so I know it and love it very much. What many people don’t know about Iowa City is that it has one of the highest per capita LGBT populations in the country and that it was the first city in Iowa to pass laws prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity.

Community Meet & Greet at the House of Aromas (5:45 p.m.)
We were greeted at this funky coffee house by Iowa City field organizer Craig Leabhart, an openly gay student at the University of Iowa who has taken time off from school to work for John Edwards. I had a spirited conversation with 15 of Iowa City’s community leaders, including Paul Osterholt—the Chair of the GLBT Caucus for the Iowa Democratic Party. (Paul and his partner James were scheduled to be my host family in 2004 in Iowa City before I got re-assigned to be the Regional Field Director for Kerry-Edwards in Davenport, Iowa). Demonstrating how small the world really is, I also met another local elected official who happened to have grown up in my hometown of Wadsworth, Ohio (his sister was my editor on the high school newspaper). I met yet another inspirational community figure in an allied school board member who had for years—despite being threatened--been working to incorporate into the curriculum books and lessons designed to build awareness and tolerance of LGBT Americans.

I was excited to be able to provide to participants at the meeting with the “breaking news” that Edwards had just received the endorsement of the New Hampshire Freedom to Marry Coalition and its Executive Director—State Legislator Mo Baxley. Before we knew it, we all had to break up our great discussion to head to a holiday party at the University of Iowa GLBT Center. However, because we have Craig on staff as our field organizer, I am confident that he will continue doing great outreach to all aspects of Iowa City’s LGBT community.

University of Iowa GLBT Allied Union Holiday Party (7:00 p.m.)
The U of I GLBT Allied Union is the oldest GLBT student group in the country and is celebrating in 2008 its 37th anniversary! They also, just last year, were given a cozy and beautiful home as the campus’ GLBT center. I had the opportunity to talk with about two dozen active, engaged GLBT students. They asked intelligent questions about climate change, health care, restoring our reputation abroad and the federal deficit. We left them with policy books, handouts on the work we have done as an LGBT Steering Committee and a message encouraging them to caucus on January 3. They left us with inspiration as we thought about what the world will be like when they are leading it.

Thursday, December 13, 2007
Headed Back Home (8:00 a.m.)
What a fantastic trip! I came away with the sense that those voters who are committed to caucus for us will turn out and have the passion, enthusiasm and experience to convince many of their neighbors to support John Edwards. Iowa is lucky to have so many terrific LGBT community leaders and our campaign is so proud to have their support.

Eric Stern: Edwards knows all LGBT politics is local

David Mariner — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 19:02:00 +0000

While I believe that the Democratic Party has a tremendous field of candidates, I ultimately decided to endorse John Edwards for President and signed on as a volunteer adviser to his presidential campaign in January of this year. I initially got into politics and advocacy because of my passion for helping underserved communities. Edwards' focus on poverty alleviation and his REAL plan on universal health care and leveling the playing field in public education is unmatched by other candidates and, in fact, has forced the other candidates to re-focus on these issues.

The Edwards Campaign from day one has worked very hard to cultivate LGBT support across the nation and to seek our input and ideas—as opposed to simply our money. Our LGBT steering committee has been incorporated into all aspects of the campaign, resulting in the Edwards campaign being the first to release a public list of high-level LGBT supporters, the first to release a questionnaire to HRC, the first to release a comprehensive HIV/AIDS policy, and the first to have its candidate visit a LGBT community center and to have the candidate's spouse participate in a gay pride event. And, in an early and pivotal moment in the campaign, Edwards clearly denounced General Pace’s statement that homosexuals were immoral. This was in striking contrast to how Hillary and Obama responded to the same question.

Edwards supports immigration equality and repealing all portions of DOMA—Hillary and Obama do not. And while John Edwards is not yet a supporter of marriage equality, he has pledged to use the power of the White House to rid the federal laws of anti-gay discrimination and extend all of the federal benefits of marriage to same-sex couples in committed relationships. And, while I wish he was now a supporter of marriage equality, I believe that a candidate whose wife and daughter support equality will get there much earlier than a candidate whose husband signed DOMA and encouraged Senator Kerry to support the FMA and anti-gay state constitutional amendments in order to win more conservative votes.

While much of the focus of the campaign thus far has been on foreign policy, immigration and health care, I believe that there is an important theme in this election cycle that is directly relevant to our work as LGBT community activists. As most of us now realize, almost all of the victories for our community have been at the state and local level. These victories are due to the hard work, persistence and talent of LGBT statewide organizations and their allies. Because these activists devoted their lives to educating their neighbors and elected representatives, we have marriage in Massachusetts, civil unions in New Jersey, Vermont, California, New Hampshire and Connecticut, and laws providing workplace equality, safe schools, protection from hate crimes and domestic partnership registries in dozens of states and local municipalities.

Many of us have also worked very hard to elect Democratic Governors and Democratic legislators in our home states. And as a result of the officials we helped to elect in 2006 and because of the state and local LGBT organizations on the ground working to close the deal after these individuals were elected, we have seen some real results in the states with direct benefits for our community, including, among many other accomplishments:

In Iowa, new Democratic Governor Chet Culver signed a state Employment Nondiscrimination Act (ENDA) into law. In Colorado, new Democratic Governor Bill Ritter signed a second parent adoption bill. In Ohio, new Democratic Governor Ted Strickland signed an executive order prohibiting discrimination against state employees based on sexual orientation or gender identity. In Oregon, newly-reelected Governor Democratic Ted Kulongoski signed domestic partner and state ENDA bills. (Democrats took control of the State House and passed domestic partner and state ENDA bills.) In New Hampshire, State Democrats who won a majority in the state Senate and the first Democratic majority in the State House since the Civil War passed a civil unions bill and defeated a proposed constitutional amendment that would have barred same-sex marriage. Newly-reelected Democratic Governor John Lynch signed a civil unions bill into law. In Massachusetts, new Democratic Governor Deval Patrick led the successful effort to keep an anti-marriage amendment off the ballot. Democrats in the Alaska legislature defeated a proposed constitutional amendment to prohibit domestic partner benefits for state employees, while Democratic state legislatures in Maryland and North Carolina defeated proposed constitutional amendments prohibiting same-sex marriage. The Democratic legislature in Vermont passed a bill prohibiting discrimination based on gender identity, while the Democratic legislature in Washington State passed a domestic partner bill.

So, now you may be asking yourself what all of these accomplishments have to do with why the LGBT community should be supporting John Edwards for President. The answer is simple: if we want to continue to see this kind of progress in the states and to see the bills that we all work so hard to pass (and the anti-gay bills we all work so hard to kill), we need to retain the majorities Democrats hold in statehouses and build new ones. And there is only one candidate with a 50-state plan who can ensure that we capitalize on the opportunities have across the nation. That candidate is John Edwards. I would encourage you to read the sign-on letter our LGBT steering committee released 2 weeks ago and we would welcome your participation in the campaign.

Eric is the former Executive Director of National Stonewall Democrats and the former Director of LGBT Outreach for the Democratic National Committee. He currently serves as the Associate Director of Career Development at the University of California, Berkeley School of Law (Boalt Hall) and is a Volunteer Advisor to the John Edwards for President Campaign. This is the first time Eric has contributed to the Project.

New Hampshire Freedom to Marry Endorses John Edwards

David Mariner — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 21:16:00 +0000

The John Edwards for President campaign today announced the endorsements of the New Hampshire Freedom to Marry Coalition and its executive director, State Rep. Mo Baxley. The group cited Edwards’ commitment to equal rights and fighting discrimination in all forms.

“I am proud to announce both our group’s endorsement, as well as my personal endorsement, of John Edwards for president,” Baxley said. “We took a long look at all of the candidates, we met with many of them, and in our judgment, John Edwards’ sincere commitment to battling discrimination and ensuring equal rights for every American is unparalleled. He and his wonderful wife Elizabeth have spent their entire lives fighting for those without a voice and standing up for what is right. John Edwards will be the kind of president we can trust to stand up for everyday Americans.”

“I am proud to have the endorsements of Mo and New Hampshire Freedom to Marry,” Edwards said. “NHFTM has done outstanding work advocating for LGBT families in New Hampshire. I am committed to equality for all Americans -- discrimination of any kind is morally wrong. I believe that all Americans should have the same freedoms and the same responsibilities.”

NHFTM is a statewide LGBT education and advocacy organization whose work on behalf of LGBT families has raised awareness of LGBT issues. NHFTM made its decision to endorse John Edwards after considering all candidates’ policy positions, voting records and their campaigns’ outreach to the LGBT community. They met with candidates and contacted leaders in the gay community in their home states as well as the other early caucus and primary states.

John Edwards opposes discrimination in all forms. He supports the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell as well as the full repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act. He supports equal rights for same-sex couples and believes that all Americans should have the same rights and responsibilities. As president, he will expand hate crimes legislation and will prohibit job discrimination.

Eric Stern Heads to Iowa for John Edwards

David Mariner — Sat, 08 Dec 2007 03:05:00 +0000

Chapel Hill, North Carolina – Demonstrating that no other candidate is working harder to earn the votes of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Americans, the John Edwards for President Campaign is sending former National Stonewall Democrats Executive Director Eric J. Stern to Iowa next week to do a series of events in Cedar Rapids, Ames, and Iowa City. These events are designed to provide Iowa's LGBT voters with information about Senator Edwards' campaign and opportunities to get involved in the all-important Iowa Caucuses.

Stern has been one of the most active Edwards for President LGBT supporters. In addition to his work with Stonewall, Stern formerly served as the Director of LGBT Outreach for the Democratic National Committee and a Regional Field Director for the Kerry-Edwards Campaign in Davenport, Iowa.

Edwards has laid out one of the most progressive and specific set of proposals on the issues that matter most to the LGBT community. The details of his policy proposals can be found on his website: http://www.johnedwards.com/issues/lgbt/

TUESDAY, DECEMBER, 11, 2007
LGBT Happy Hour
6:00PM
Blazing Saddles
416 E. 5th Street
Des Moines, IA

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2007

LGBT Meet & Greet Event
12:00PM
Legends American Grill
119 Stanton Ave, #117
Ames, IA

LGBT Coffee House
5:45PM
House of Aromas
118 S. Clinton St.
Iowa City, IA

University of Iowa GLBT Allied Union Meeting
7:00PM
LGBT Resource Center
125 Grand Avenue
Iowa City, IA

For more information about these events, please call 919.636.3203

John Edwards on Ending Discrimination in the Military

David Mariner — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 19:08:00 +0000

Marking the 14th anniversary of the 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' policy, the Human Rights campaign has asked the leading Democratic candidates for President to respond to the question, “If you are elected President, what concrete steps would you take to overturn ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell?’

John Edwards responds on HRC Backstory

“It is long past time to end the military’s ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ policy and to allow openly gay men and women to serve in the military. It is critical to our national security that we have the best people in our military. Gay men and women have continually served our country with honor and bravery, and we should honor their commitment and never turn away anyone who is willing to serve their country because of their sexual orientation."

"This is an issue of fundamental fairness – and our military ought to treat everyone fairly. ‘Don’t Ask Don’t Tell’ did not become wrong. It was always wrong. Instead of fumbling when people question the morality of the 12,000 gays and lesbians who have unjustly lost military careers, we must repeal ‘Don’t Ask Don’t Tell.”

Sean Kosofsky on John Edwards

David Mariner — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 19:13:00 +0000

Leadership means taking the lead and it also means taking risks. Whenever leaders announce their personal political endorsements it spurs discussion, debate and disagreement, and I have decided to go public with my presidential endorsement for the 2008 election. I have endorsed John Edwards. My endorsement is not the endorsement of any organization I am affiliated with, it is my personal choice alone. And I hope it will bring other Edwards supporters out of the closet.

Continue reading this article at Bilerico

Cate Edwards Interviewed in the Advocate

David Mariner — Tue, 13 Nov 2007 18:18:00 +0000

See the whole Advocate interview here

Hanging out with new pals at a buzzing Manchester, N.H., tap room, Cate Edwards sounded like any other college student cracking wise over a beer.

Among the topics for debate: Of Jon Stewart's Daily Show interviews, which wins the award for most awkward? By consensus, they picked last month's appearance by Vice President Dick Cheney's wife, Lynne.

It's a typical night at the barroom, and no place for a presidential stump speech. And that suits the daughter of Democratic White House hopeful John Edwards just fine.

''I think it helps to have a young person talk about the issues in a way that's relatable,'' Cate Edwards said. ''I feel more comfortable talking to them, and I think they feel more comfortable talking to me, because I'm not that well polished and because I'm just a regular 25-year-old.''

On her first solo campaign trip through New Hampshire, Edwards tooled around the Granite State on Friday and Saturday in a minivan packed with campaign staff, making the case for her father in the most casual of ways. Her language when discussing policy wasn't always as pristine as that of a candidate. She usually referred to Edwards as ''my dad,'' except when joking that he's ''a hick.''

A second-year Harvard Law School student, Cate Edwards also didn't hesitate to point out that she and her father disagree on some issues. Some are serious, such as same-sex marriage. Others, such as whether he should dance in public, not so much.

''It's not good,'' Cate Edwards joked of her father's dancing. ''It's very dorky. And I don't say that as a politician's daughter, I say that as a daughter. I mean, you just don't want to see your dad do that.''

There were no rallies or town hall meetings on her schedule. Instead, she had coffee with students at a Dartmouth sorority house, drinks at the Manchester bar with other young Democrats, and a gathering with high school students who won't even be old enough to vote next year.

''You get a different perspective,'' said Alyssa Robins, a 22-year-old senior at Dartmouth and president of a sorority that hosted Edwards. ''There's always an uncertainty about how genuine a candidate is when you're always seeing them in a political perspective.

''When you get to hear someone your age talk about the person, in a setting like this, it feels more real,'' Robins said.

Edwards has enlisted friends at Harvard, where she is a volunteer at the university's Legal Aid Bureau representing families facing eviction, to canvass for her father, a former North Carolina senator making his second run for the White House. A Princeton graduate, she appeared at several events this past weekend with Kate Michelman, an Edwards adviser and former head of NARAL Pro-Choice America.

''Cate brings just another whole dimension to this campaign,'' Michelman said. ''The family represents all the different aspects of the issues that they are running on.'

Cate's brother Wade died in 1996 in an automobile accident. Her two younger siblings -- Emma Claire, 9, and Jack, 7 -- are fixtures on the trail and drew a full-fledged media horde when they spent Halloween trick-or-treating with their father in Bedford.

On the GOP side, Mitt Romney's five sons are active participants, blogging as the ''Five Brothers'' and traveling in the ''Mitt Mobile.'' Other children of the candidates are less visible. Rudy Giuliani is estranged from his two children. Chelsea Clinton, the former first daughter who works in New York's financial district, has made some appearances for her mother, New York senator Hillary Rodham Clinton.

During her father's first campaign for president in 2004, Cate Edwards said she held the ''cynical'' belief that young people didn't care about the political process. But she said she discovered that they were eager to participate, but not always included in the process.

''Young people are very interested in what's going on in politics and very interested in the direction of this country,'' Cate Edwards said. ''But one of the problems is that they just don't feel that they have a voice.''

Clinton and Illinois senator Barack Obama are more popular among younger voters than John Edwards, according to several polls. Cate Edwards thinks that's a product of how her father is perceived -- something she sought to fight by sharing stories about her family, from their political discussions over dinner to how she and her mother, Elizabeth, disagree with his opposition to marriage equality.

''One of the things we can do as family is to be character witnesses for our parents and for my dad,'' Cate Edwards said. ''It's really easy to talk to him as a real guy and a regular guy, because he is.''

Generally soft-spoken, Edwards grows most animated when defending her father from critics who suggest that his large house, pricey haircuts, and work at a hedge fund betray his focus on speaking for the less fortunate.

Cate Edwards said her father's advocacy for the poor always has been a central focus of his life. She told the story of how Edwards, when he was still a practicing trial attorney, would raise money through his firm to buy gifts for children from a low-income neighborhood in Raleigh, N.C.

''He always said to us, 'This is really important because we're incredibly lucky, and we've gotten all kinds of blessings and other people haven't. We need to give back,''' Cate Edwards said. ''And that's something he always instilled in us.''

But, as is her style, the story also came with just the right amount of snark about her dad to help connect with voters her own age.

''My dad is a terrible gift-wrapper, so he wasn't really allowed near them,'' she joked. ''He would dress up as Santa Claus, and he makes a terrible Santa Claus -- he's too skinny and too tan.'' (Mike Baker, AP)

John Edwards Stands Alone in Campaign Finance Debate

David Mariner — Tue, 06 Nov 2007 17:40:00 +0000

Bloomberg.com has an interesting article online today entitled: Watergate-Era Fundraising Returns With Clinton, Obama, Giuliani. They point out, that for the first time ever, the top contenders for both the Republican and Democratic presidential primaries are opting out of public financing to go after bigger corporate money:

Democrats Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama have joined Republicans including former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani in declining federal subsidies. Instead, they are raising millions from corporate executives and wealthy supporters, threatening to make 2008 the first election since Richard Nixon won his second term in 1972 in which both parties' nominees will have been completely financed by private sources.

The lack of public financing will magnify the power of lobbyists and other well-connected givers who collect and ``bundle'' donations from their family, friends and associates. Besides enhancing fundraisers' influence in Washington, supporters of campaign limits say, it may also sow the seeds for another massive scandal like Watergate, which drove Nixon from office and shook citizens' faith in their government for a generation.

``The amount of money that's being raised this cycle raises the specter of the presidency going back on the auction block,'' says Meredith McGehee, policy director for the Campaign Legal Center, a Washington group that favors curbs on political donations.

In contrast, Edwards has committed to public financing. Edwards recently told CNN:

"This is not about a money calculation," Edwards told CNN senior political correspondent Candy Crowley on his way to an event in Durham, New Hampshire. "This is about taking a stand, a principled stand, and I believe in public financing."

Washington DC Reception for Elizabeth Edwards November 9th

David Mariner — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 15:31:00 +0000

Please join me on Friday November 9th for a reception honoring Elizabeth Edwards. Hans Johnson has done a wonderful job putting together this event. (Many of you may know Hans as a board member of the The Task Force through his consulting firm, Progressive Victory).

Host Committee members for this event include David Mixner, Eric Stern, David Mariner, Bob Horvath & Patrick Lyden, and many others.

The event takes place at the home of William Eskridge on Capitol Hill. For details, please download this PDF flier.

I hope you'll be able to join us. I've only had the opportunity to meet Elizabeth Edwards once, but I believe she is one of the most fascinating, dynamic, and passionate folks out there on the campaign trail. I think you'll truly enjoy meeting her.

Cate Edwards Supports Marriage Equality

David Mariner — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 16:03:00 +0000

While campaigning in Iowa, Cate Edwards stated her support for marriaqe equality for same sex couples. Her father, Presidential Candidate John Edwards, supports civil unions for same sex couples, but has not gone as far as to support full marriage equality.

Cate is the second member of the Edwards clan to come out in favor of marriage equality. John Edward's wife Elizabeth Edwards stated her support for marriage equality last June at a breakfast reception organized by the Alice B. Toklas LGBT Democratic Club in San Francisco.

The Iowa Independent reports that Cate Edwards shared her views while campaigning in Iowa, appearing with Edwards supporter James Denton (Desperate Housewives). Cate Edwards, currently enrolled in Harvard Law School, stated "Children don't always agree with their parents -- it might be a little creepy if they did."

John Edwards Statement on Passage of Hate Crimes Prevention Act

David Mariner — Sat, 29 Sep 2007 18:07:00 +0000

Chapel Hill, North Carolina – Senator John Edwards released the following statement following the U.S. Senate's vote to support new federal hate crime legislation:

"Every American deserves the right to live without fear of physical violence -- law enforcement should have all the resources and tools it needs to protect every community in America. I have long supported strengthening our hate crimes laws to show that Americans will not tolerate or condone hateful violence of any kind.

"With 25 hate crimes committed every day by the FBI's count -- one every hour -- it is embarrassing that the White House says stronger law enforcement tools are 'unnecessary.' Nine years after the heinous murders of Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr., these tools are more necessary than ever."

The Edwards Plan to Fight AIDS

David Mariner — Tue, 18 Sep 2007 16:00:00 +0000

Reprinted below is the John Edwards plan to fight HIV/AIDS here in the United States as well as around the world. It's a bold plan that I believe really sets him apart from the other candidates. Once again, I'm very proud to be supporting John Edwards for President. To download this document, click here

ENDING THE HIV/AIDS EPIDEMIC

“The loss from HIV/AIDS is almost beyond understanding. This is a fight for people’s lives. Wehave a moral imperative to do much more, and do it much better.”– John Edwards

HIV is a preventable disease. But an estimated 40,000 new HIV cases were reported in the U.S. lastyear, and 4.3 million were reported around the world. HIV/AIDS is a treatable disease. Yet 17,000Americans and 3 million people globally died from it in 2005. [CDC, 2007; WHO, 2006]

John Edwards was the first presidential candidate – Democratic or Republican – to take on the biginsurance and drug companies and propose a plan for quality, affordable health care for every man,woman and child in America that offers everyone the option of a public plan. Today, John Edwardsbuilds on his plan for true universal health care with specific proposals to lead the fight againstHIV/AIDS at home and around the world. He will include a comprehensive new national strategy tofight HIV/AIDS, including:

Guaranteeing health insurance to every American – including HIV/AIDS patients -- the care theyneed when they need it and expanding Medicaid to cover HIV-positive individuals before theyreach later stages of disabilities and AIDS.
Fighting the disease in the African American and Latino communities, where the harm is nowgreatest.
Calling for universal access to HIV/AIDS medicine across the world, investing $50 billion overfive years to meet that goal.

FIGHTING HIV/AIDS ATHOME

HIV/AIDS is still a crisis in America, particularly in African-American and Latino communities.The number of new HIV infections in the U.S. has not fallen in 15 years. As president, Edwards willhelp end the HIV/AIDS epidemic in America. [CDC, 2005]

Guaranteeing Treatment for Everyone with True Universal Health Care by 2012: People withHIV/AIDS who don’t have health insurance or who have inadequate insurance are significantly morelikely to die from the disease. That’s the tragedy of the two health care systems in this country today– one for people who can afford the very best care and one for everyone else. True universal healthcare must be the foundation for a national HIV/AIDS strategy.

Edwards’ plan will ensure everyperson in America living with HIV/AIDS gets the care they need, when they need it. His plan willalso transform chronic care with a new patient-centered “medical home” approach where a primarycare physician will make sure patients are getting effective treatment from a coordinated team,including palliative care. [Bhattacharya, 2003]

Edwards supports the Early Treatment for HIV Act which will expand Medicaid to cover HIV-positive individuals in every state before they reach later stages of disability and AIDS. Currently, inmost states, individuals must receive an AIDS diagnosis to receive services under Medicaid even though research shows that the sooner individuals living with HIV receive treatment the better the outcomes. [Porco et al., 2004]

Creating a National HIV/AIDS Strategy: In 2001, the CDC set a national goal of reducing the annual number of new infections in half by 2005, but the actual number of infections has barelybudged. A 1998 presidential initiative set a goal of eliminating racial disparities in HIV/AIDS by2010, but disparities are as bad today as they were then. Our disappointments can be explained inpart by the failure to create a national strategy, backed by necessary funding and with clear and bold goals, specific action steps, real accountability and broad participation and buy-in from stakeholders both inside and outside of government. As president, Edwards will develop a National HIV/AIDS Strategy through an honest, comprehensive and fast-tracked process that involves stakeholders fromthe public and nonprofit sectors. The National Strategy will coordinate the various agencies within and outside of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) that affect HIV/AIDS policy.He will hold his HHS Secretary accountable for issuing an annual report on HIV/AIDS that charts progress towards our national goals, and he will appoint a strong director of the White House officeof AIDS Policy to keep these issues visible at the highest levels of government. [CDC, 1999, 2001, 2007;HHS, 1998]

Focusing on Disparities: About two-thirds of all new HIV/AIDS cases are diagnosed in African Americans and Latinos. African Americans are infected at nearly 10 times the rate, and Latinos atmore than three times the rate, of white Americans. A 2005 study of African-American men whohave sex with men in selected cities found that almost half are infected with HIV, and 67 percent donot know they have the disease. Latina women are six times more likely than white women to have HIV/AIDS. Any serious effort to end the HIV/AIDS epidemic must begin in the African-American and Latino communities, including among the incarcerated population, and address their prevention and treatment needs. We must also continue to work intensively with important overlapping groups like gay men. [CDC, 2007; KFF, 2007]

Supporting Ryan White CARE Act Programs and HOPWA: Enacting true universal health carewill ensure patients have access to care, but fully funding the Ryan White CARE Act will remainessential to ensure that culturally-competent care is available for the special needs of people livingwith HIV/AIDS. These programs include outpatient HIV early intervention services, support serviceslike transportation, case management, substance abuse and mental health treatment, nutrition, family-centered care for children, access to clinical trials and delivery to hard-to-reach populations. Maintaining delivery of outreach and treatment services to the LGBT community, for example, isdependent on these programs. Edwards will also put an end to waiting lines for HIV drugs -- forexample, more than 300 people with HIV/AIDS are on a waiting list for medication in South Carolina– and increase funds for the Housing for People with AIDS (HOPWA) programs, only federal program that provides comprehensive, community-based housing for people with HIV/AIDS.[NASTAD, 2007]

Preventing HIV/AIDS with Scientifically-Proven Strategies, Not Political Ideology: The CDChas identified the three most reliable ways to prevent HIV/AIDS infections. Yet the Bush administration focuses on only one of them – abstinence. As president, Edwards will promotes all reliable prevention strategies, including comprehensive, age-appropriate sex education to ensure young people learn all the facts about preventing HIV/AIDS and harm-reduction programs thatprovide high-risk individuals with access to clean syringes. He will lift the ban on federal funding for needle exchange initiatives. In addition, Edwards will support community and public education that encourages testing.[CDC, Undated; Bush, 2005]

Strengthening America’s Research Agenda: It used to be that more than four out of 10 requestsfor National Institutes of Health grants were approved. Now less than two out of 10 are approved,and existing grants are being cut back. One of those rejected requests might have led to abreakthrough on HIV/AIDS treatments. Edwards supports substantial increases in funding for the National Science Foundation and the National Institutes of Health, as well as measures to ensure transparency in funding decisions, accountability for results and aligning research with outcomes.[NIH, 2007]

FIGHTING HIV/AIDS AROUND THEWORLD

While the Bush administration initially increased funding for the global fight against HIV/AIDS,funding has now flat-lined. We must do more, and do it better. The fight against HIV/AIDS is afight for people’s lives, but President Bush’s way has us fighting with one hand tied behind our back.One-third of prevention funding goes to abstinence-only education that has been shown not to work.The U.S. has also refused to fund medicine approved by the World Health Organization, even though requiring FDA approval means the U.S. sometimes pays up to three times more for drugs. Thismeans fewer people receive treatment, as the profits of drug companies are protected.[Goldberg, 2007;Carpenter, 2007; Love, 2007]

To restore our moral standing in the world, Edwards believes that America must be a global leader inthe fight against poverty and disease. Fighting global poverty and addressing global health crises is amoral imperative, but it is also a security issue. As president, John Edwards will fundamentally transform America’s approach to the world and bring high-level attention to the fight against global HIV/AIDS by:

Providing Universal Access to Treatment Globally: A $4 dose of medicine can help prevent amother from transmitting HIV to her newborn at childbirth. In developing countries, HIV/AIDS medications cost as little as $140 per patient a year – but, by mid-2006, fewer than one in four people who needed it had access to treatment. As part of a comprehensive plan to also fight TB and malaria around the world, Edwards has set an ambitious goal of providing universal access to preventive and treatment drugs for the three “killer diseases” by 2010, investing $50 billion over five years to meet that goal. This includes fulfilling our moral responsibility to help strengthen public health systems and health care workforces in developing nations. While we can make current spending go further bybeing more aggressive with the pharmaceutical industry, Edwards will ensure the U.S. contributes its traditional fair share toward the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, which hasproven itself as an innovative, effective model to fight disease.[UNICEF, 2005; U.N. Millennium Project,2005; WHO, 2007]

Using Trade Policy to Save Lives: Edwards will enact trade policies that save lives, rather than protect the profits of big drug companies. He will ensure that U.S. bilateral trade agreements respect the rights of countries to access and use generic medicines consistent with the Doha Declaration onthe TRIPS Agreement and Public Health. We must expand poor countries’ right to safe, affordable generic drugs to treat HIV/AIDS. The increased distribution of generic drugs has been a step in theright direction. However, as millions of people develop resistance to these drugs, we must beprepared to facilitate access to more effective medications. As president, Edwards will supportefforts to increase the importation and production in developing countries of second-line and pediatric drugs. He will also re-assess the Bush policy that forces us to pay higher prices for drugsthat have been approved by the FDA, when less expensive drugs have already been approved by the WHO and their safety is reliable. WHO safety standards are relied upon by leading international organizations, including the Global Fund.

Expanding the Role of Multilateral Organizations: America’s reluctance to engage the world through multilateral organizations under President Bush has hurt our ability to combat poverty and fight HIV/AIDS. Edwards believes multilateral institutions like the Global Fund can be far more efficient at using taxpayer dollars than bilateral agencies like the President’s Emergency Plan forAIDS Relief, with far lower overheads. As president, Edwards will support efforts to increase the role of multilateral institutions like the Global Fund in distributing funds to fight HIV/AIDS, ratherthan just bilateral aid agencies and their contractors.

Rescinding the Global Gag Rule: In 2001, President Bush signed an executive order barring U.S. family planning aid to foreign non-profits that offer abortions, except in the case of a threat to awoman’s life or incest, that provide abortion counseling or that lobby to make abortion legal. This “gag rule” stifles free speech and forces non-profits to choose between vital U.S. funds and providing essential health services. The “gag rule” has hurt efforts to ensure access to contraception methods that can prevent the spread of HIV. Edwards will overturn this order and restore support for effectivef amily planning.

Creating a Cabinet-Level Post on Global Poverty: Despite its importance to our national security and international standing, America still lacks a comprehensive strategy to fight global poverty. Ourforeign aid programs are fractured and uncoordinated, delivered by over 50 separate government offices. As a result, bureaucrats fight over overlapping jurisdictions and resources are not tied to anygovernment-wide priorities. As president, Edwards will create a new cabinet-level position that will coordinate global development policies across the federal government and be a voice for the fightagainst global HIV/AIDS.

Promoting Women’s Rights and Universal Education: Strengthening the rights of women and increasing education will help change social roles that underlie the spread of HIV in many countries. Reducing violence against women and expanding education are both proven means of preventing HIV. Edwards will aggressively support political and economic rights for women where they do notexist and support efforts to reduce violence against women and children. He will also lead the world toward a primary education for every child, endorsing the goal of achieving universal basic educationby 2015. As part of a significant increase in overall funding for poverty-focused development assistance, Edwards will lead a worldwide effort to raise $10 billion to fund this cause.[UNAIDS,2005; World Bank, 2002]

Supporting Debt Cancellation: Debt owed to Western lenders prevents many poor countries frommaking the kinds of investments in health and education that can help prevent the spread of HIV andother diseases. Edwards will take the next step on debt relief by eliminating bilateral debt owed tothe United States by the world’s poorest countries, freeing up resources for these countries to invest in health and education. He will also call on other lender nations to follow our lead.

Edwards Wins Texas' First ePrimary In A Landslide

LiberalDemDave — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 22:19:00 +0000

The results are in and final!

Senator John Edwards
3050 Votes
37.65%

Senator Barack Obama
1731 Votes
21.37%

Senator Hillary Clinton
1655 Votes
20.43%

Representative Dennis Kucinich
962 Votes
11.88%

Governor Bill Richardson
419 Votes
5.17%

Senator Joe Biden
195 Votes
2.41%

Senator Mike Gravel
65 Votes
0.80%

Senator Chris Dodd
24 Votes
0.30%

TOTAL
8101Votes

Source: http://www.txdemocrats.org/candidates/eprimary_final_results

Following are some comments from voters in the ePrimary that are up on the TDP's web site:

"Senator Edwards articulates a plan to help all Americans achieve a better standard of living. He sees clearly that we must craft a strong foreign policy and rebuild the United States' image abroad. He will move our nation forward."
B.J. in Hillsboro

"John Edwards is not a divider. His words are uplifting. His wife is a solid person and will be a strong first lady. He has the best solution for the health care crisis in the US, and I believe that he will settle the horrific mess the Republicans brought us in Iraq. He has a great record, and I trust him."
Danna in Lubbock

"John Edwards understands the importance of unions in building the middle class and growing our economy. I also believe that he has the best plan for getting our country on course for universal health care coverage, making education more affordable for those who want and need it, and getting the troops out of Iraq and repairing America's global reputation."
Andrea in San Antonio

The time for bold new leadership that can't be bought and sold is NOW. That leader is John Edwards.

Edwards Picks Up Key Union Endorsements

David Mariner — Tue, 04 Sep 2007 17:05:00 +0000

Official endorsement at Pittsburgh Labor Day rally gives Edwards largest bloc of union support among presidential candidates so far

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania – The United Steelworkers (USW) and the United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) today endorsed Senator John Edwards for president. Following the Thursday endorsement of Edwards by the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners in America, the two endorsements announced today at a Labor Day rally in Pittsburgh with union members and their families give Edwards the largest bloc of union support so far—combined, more than 1.8 million members and retirees—among any of the presidential candidates.

"I am especially honored to receive the support of the Steelworkers and Mine Workers unions," said Edwards, "These are the workers who built the middle class in America, and they are the backbone of the American labor movement. They understand how important it is to fight back when jobs, safety, standards and our values are at risk—and they know what's at stake in this election."

"These workers have felt the negative impact of a broken system in Washington that is rigged against America's working families for far too long—whether it's the tragic lack of oversight in mine safety, trade agreements written to benefit multinational corporations while they ship American jobs overseas, or the millions of working Americans who still can't afford health insurance," added Edwards. "As president, I will proudly lead the fight on behalf of working families with their support—and together we will win."

Representing 1.2 million workers and retirees, the USW is the nation's largest private sector industrial union. Following extensive outreach to USW members that included a poll of the union's 15,000 activists, as well as a nationwide survey of the union's membership, the USW International Executive Board voted unanimously on Sunday, September 2nd to endorse Edwards.

The UMWA represents 105,000 active and retired coal miners, municipal employees, health care workers and manufacturing workers in North America. Their membership includes more coal miners than any union in the world.

Both Steelworkers President Leo W. Gerard and UMWA President Cecil E. Roberts announced their endorsement by making clear the stakes hard-working families face and laying out why Sen. Edwards is the best candidate to lead the fight for change in America.

"Senator John Edwards is committed, as he has been throughout his life, to going to bat for everyday Americans and to changing a broken political system that leaves millions of Americans without a voice in their government," said Steelworkers President Leo W. Gerard. "Edwards is right on the issues that matter to us, and he's the candidate with the best chance of winning in the general election. The big corporations don't need another president who does their bidding. It's time we had a president who will fight for working people—and that's what John Edwards will do."

"Senator Edwards' positions on the issues of importance to UMWA members make him the best fit of all the candidates for president," UMWA International President Cecil E. Roberts said. "We need a president who cares about ordinary working people instead of the richest Americans and the big multinational corporations. We believe John Edwards is that person, and we will work as hard as we know how on his behalf anywhere and everywhere we can."

Close to 1,000 people were expected at the Pittsburgh Labor Day rally where the unions' official endorsements were announced. Sen. Edwards was joined on stage by USW President Leo Gerard, UMWA International President Cecil Roberts and local union members. Elizabeth Edwards and Edwards Campaign Manager David Bonior also attended the event.

On Thursday, August 30th, the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America, representing more than 520,000 members from all political affiliations, also announced that they would endorse John Edwards for president. Their formal endorsement will take place at a rally of union members on September 8th in New Hampshire.

Edwards and Biden Support Global AIDS Pledge

David Mariner — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 15:32:00 +0000

Global AIDS Activists are making their mark on the 2008 election by attending campaign events to ask one simple question. Will the candidates support $50 billion over 5 years to stop the global spread of AIDS?

They've posed the question to Obama and Edwards here in Washington DC. Edwards also got the question in South Carolina. The Boston Globe reports the question was recently given to John McCain in New Hampshire. The question has been asked so many times, that often you just have to say '$50 billion' and the candidates will know what you're talking about.

John Edwards and Joe Biden stand out as the only presidential candidates thus far that have committed to $50 billion over 5 years to fight the global epidemic, part of the 08stopAIDS platform. It leads one to wonder, how many more times will we have to ask the question until Obama, Clinton and the other candidates hear our voices?

Edwards Leads Giuliani and Thompson

David Mariner — Wed, 29 Aug 2007 15:29:00 +0000

Rasmussen Reports: Democratic Senator John Edwards now holds solid leads over the two leading Republican Presidential hopefuls. The most recent Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows Edwards leading former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani 49% to 41%. Edwards dominates former Senator Fred Thompson 49% to 35%.

A month ago, Edwards held a virtually identical lead over Giuliani. In between, Giuliani had closed the gap to two points in early August. This continues a trend that began in April, with Edwards consistently polling in the mid-to-high 40% range against Giuliani while the New Yorker has polled in the mid-to-low 40’s.

Giuliani started the year with the edge over Edwards. He came out on top in five Rasmussen Reports national telephone polls between November, 2006 and March of this year. Since April, seven more polls have been conducted and Giuliani has not been ahead in any of them..

Edwards has led by double digits in four out of six previous match-ups with Thompson.

Edwards also leads former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney and Arizona Senator John McCain in Rasmussen Reports polls.

Please click here to review the report in its entirety.

Family reminds Edwards of Health Care Concerns

David Mariner — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 16:57:00 +0000

When John Edwards left Charles City on Wednesday, he took a special memento with him — a photo of 10-year-old Adrian Haught.

It’s the second photo of the Nashua boy that his mother, Tami Haught, has given the Democratic presidential candidate and former North Carolina Senator. Tami was diagnosed with HIV nearly 14 years ago.

“When I gave it to him three years ago, he was talking about health care and poverty so I gave him the picture of Adrian,” she said. “I said if you ever get tired, look at the picture. It’s one of the people that you are fighting for.”

The back of the photo says, “ADAP (AIDS Drug Assistance Program) saves lives. ADAP?saves families.” Haught said she wanted to encourage Edwards to support the program that helps provide access to medication.

continue reading this article inthe Charles City Press

John Edwards at the HRC/Logo Debate

David Mariner — Sat, 18 Aug 2007 20:00:00 +0000

Text of the HRC/Logo Debate

CARLSON:
Our next candidate, John Edwards, was elected senator from North Carolina in 1998 and ran for president six years later. And, of course, in 2004 he was the
vice presidential candidate. Welcome to Senator John Edwards.
(APPLAUSE)
ETHERIDGE:
Hi.
EDWARDS:
We've been listening to your music. I want you to know that.
ETHERIDGE:
Good.
CARLSON:
Senator Edwards, welcome. We're so delighted that you're here. Thank you for coming.
EDWARDS:
Thank you. Glad to be here.
CARLSON:
Melissa's going to start off the questions. She was bragging that she's neither a politician, and not even a journalist.
(LAUGHTER)
But we can't sing.
EDWARDS:
That's a great place to start.
CARLSON:
All right.
Melissa?
ETHERIDGE:
Yes. Welcome and thank you so much for being here.
EDWARDS:
Of course.
ETHERIDGE:
We're so grateful for that. Your wife and I actually have a lot in common, both suffering through cancer and such, and I wish her the best.
EDWARDS:
Thank you.
ETHERIDGE:
And I send her lots and lots of love. And we also share more than that. Both her and I are very fortunate to be able to afford the best health care.
EDWARDS:
Yes.
ETHERIDGE:
And I remember being in chemotherapy and having a shot once a week that was $3,000 and wondering how anyone else could afford this. And I know you
understand the health care need of lower income people.
But do you understand the special needs of people in gay and lesbian couples who cannot depend on their partner's insurance for protection because they are
not a legal spouse or have to pay extra on the benefit? What would you do about this?
EDWARDS:
Well, first of all, let me say thank you to HRC and thank you to all of you for your leadership.
And the answer to your question is those rights should be available to gay and lesbian couples. I actually was the first candidate to come out with a universal
health care plan, which I'm very proud of, that made it very clear that those rights to gay and lesbian couples would be exactly the same as they would for straight
couples. And so those health care benefits would be available to someone in that situation.
And I might add just a few weeks ago I was the LA Gay and Lesbian Center, which is an extraordinary place, which I'm sure some people here are familiar
with here in the Los Angeles community, where they are doing amazing, amazing work.
But there's a message from my visit there that I think is really important for America to hear, which is I met a whole group of young people who were there
because they were homeless, and they were homeless because they came out of the closet and told their parents the truth, and their parents kicked them out of the
home.
And there they were -- the only place -- they were living on the street, had nowhere to go. Thank God for the LA Gay and Lesbian Center being there for
them, and an extraordinary woman who runs the center. But without that place, where would these young people go?
And it just can't be that in America people think that's OK. They can't believe that's OK. And they need to hear and see exactly what I saw when I was there,
because it was moving. It was touching, and I actually believe that that kind of experience would have a huge impact on the American people if they could just
see.
(APPLAUSE)
ETHERIDGE:
It seems like it's had a huge effect on you, and that's really nice to see, because I have heard that you have said in the past that you feel uncomfortable around
gay people. Are you OK right now?
(LAUGHTER)
It's OK.
CARLSON:
It's very common.
EDWARDS:
I'm perfectly comfortable.
ETHERIDGE:
But it's experiences like that that people need to know, people need to see, and just how universal -- how we are all just people. We're the same.
EDWARDS:
It is.
ETHERIDGE:
Now, my next question is...
EDWARDS:
Can I just tell you that's not true -- what you just said? You didn't say I said it, but...
ETHERIDGE:
I had heard of it.
EDWARDS:
Someone else said it.
ETHERIDGE:
Not true?
EDWARDS:
It's not true. It is not true.
ETHERIDGE:
OK. I take that back. I apologize.
EDWARDS:
No. I know where it came from. It came from a political consultant, and he's just wrong. And Elizabeth and I were both there, and both of us have said he's
wrong.
ETHERIDGE:
All right. I apologize for ever taking that and putting that out.
EDWARDS:
That's OK.
ETHERIDGE:
I have children in grade school, and they're now in third and fifth grade. But I remember in first grade and kindergarten the little kids coming up to me and
going, "Why do they have two mommies?" And I always felt that this was my place to just bend down and go, "You know what? Some people have a mommy
and a daddy. Some people have just a mommy, just a daddy. Some people have two mommies and two daddies." And they go, "OK," and they walk away,
because it makes perfect sense to them, and they're fine with that.
Do you think public schools should teach about LGBT kids and families? How can we bring this into the public school system, or should we?
EDWARDS:
Oh, sure it should. The kids who go to public schools need to understand why same sex couples are the parents of some of the children. They need to
understand that these are American families, just like every American family.
It's one of the reasons why, of course, we have tens of thousands of kids in foster care who desperately need a home. It's one of the reasons that we need to
allow gay and lesbian couples the same rights to adopt children -- in fact, to provide for them to have the same rights to adopt children.
(APPLAUSE)
(CROSSTALK)
EDWARDS:
I'm sorry. I'm almost done. The only thing I would add to that is I do think it's important for the kids that their peers understand what's happening, because
otherwise, you know, children are children. They can be mean and cruel, as I know that you have seen.
And the question is whether we as adults have a responsibility to make sure that they're educated, that they understand this is a good thing, and it's
something that we as Americans believe in and embrace.
CARLSON:
At what grade or what age would you introduce, for instance, that kind of education in the schools?
EDWARDS:
That's a good question. I've not thought about it enough to answer it.
CARLSON:
Well, think about it and come back later and tell us what you come up with.
(LAUGHTER)
EDWARDS:
Yes. There is a place, though, that I believe it's appropriate.
CARLSON:
Jonathan?
(CROSSTALK)
CAPEHART:
Senator, when you were the vice presidential nominee in 2004, many gays and lesbians felt that they were being used as a scare tactic by the right wing and
the Republican party and that the Democrats didn't do anything to defend them. Why should the gay community think that it will be defended this time by you?
EDWARDS:
Well, first of all, this is only one area where the right wing uses scare tactics to divide the American people. And the truth is both in a presidential campaign
and in governing, it is so important that we reject this hate-mongering.
I was actually very proud, I have to say -- Melissa mentioned my wife Elizabeth -- I was very proud of Elizabeth for taking Ann Coulter on, and taking her
on head-on.
(APPLAUSE)
I have seen the impact of tolerance, for lack of a better word, of hate-mongering. I have seen it with language used when I was growing up in the segregated
South. And if you stand quietly by and let it happen, what happens is it takes hold. And it takes hold, and then people begin to believe it's OK. It's OK to use the
kind of language that Ann Coulter used. It's OK for the Republicans in their politics to divide America and use hate-mongering to separate us.
If we stand quietly by, it's not just bad for a political campaign -- and it is bad for a political campaign, because we have to stand up for what's right and fair
and just, and we have to do it with passion and strength -- but it's also bad for America.
It is bad for America for us to let anybody, speaking to the American people, use these issues to divide us. And it is so important for anyone who seeks to be
the leader of the United States of America to stand up strong and firm and denounce it and speak out -- and speak out strongly -- for equality.
CARLSON:
Senator, did you want to take on Ann Coulter? You could use the opportunity here.
(LAUGHTER)
Or just Mrs. Edwards?
EDWARDS:
No, no. As a matter of fact, I joined Elizabeth (inaudible) most things with Elizabeth. One of the reporters asked me afterwards, "So what kind of
consultation did you have before Elizabeth called in?" I said, "The usual one. I found out about the same time the media found out."
(LAUGHTER)
No, I think that what Ann Coulter does is the worst kind of public discourse. I think she demeans everything that all the rest of us do.
(APPLAUSE)
And I think it is intended to go to the lowest common denominator in the American people and to divide us.
And it goes to the same point I was making just a minute ago with what I saw when I was growing up in the South, which is if you stand quietly by and let
this happen, then what happens is hatred gets a foothold. And when hatred gets a foothold, it is much harder to unseat.
And you cannot let these people go by quietly and continue what they're doing, which is why Elizabeth spoke up. And I think it's absolutely crucial that we
speak up in a presidential campaign with strength and passion, not quietly and carefully, to do what's right.
CARLSON:
Joe, do you have a question?
SOLMONESE:
Yes. Senator, thank you for being here.
EDWARDS:
Thank you.
SOLMONESE:
Susan Stanton is in our audience tonight. She was for 17 years the city manager in Largo, Florida. She did her job well. She was respected and admired, and
when it was revealed that she was transgender, she was fired.
So my question for you is, if a member of your staff came to you and told you that they were transgender and that they were thinking of transitioning, how
would you react to that? And who in your life has influenced what your reaction might be?
EDWARDS:
I would support them in every possible way, including on a personal and an emotional level, provide every bit of help and support that I possibly could in
going through what they were going through.
And by the way, can I say about the first point you made in your question -- it's the reason we need powerful employment nondiscrimination laws in the
United States of America, so that people cannot be fired.
But I will say I do think that you deserve, and the American deserve to know beyond your policy position what your reaction is, too. I mean, what is it you're
actually willing to do on a personal level? Will you stand with them? Will you support them? Will you support them publicly? Are you willing to do what's right
under the circumstances?
And I can tell you I know in my heart and soul that I would. I've had -- not on that specific question -- similar experiences when I was younger on issues of
race that were extraordinarily difficult in the place where I grew up, when I did what I believed was right, when my family did what we believed was right, and I
think that's at least some indication of what I would do under these circumstances.
SOLMONESE:
And finally, Senator, you've expressed your opposition to same sex marriage, and you've raised your faith as part of the reason for your opposition. I'm
wondering if you could talk a little bit about what is it within your religion that's leading you to this position?
EDWARDS:
Well, you know, I have to tell you I shouldn't have said that, because first of all, I believe to my core in equality. My campaign for the presidency is about
equality across the board.
And I listened to your discussion with Senator Obama a few minutes ago. I was backstage, and I was able to hear what you were saying and what anyone
here was saying. And it makes perfect sense to me that gay and lesbian couples would say, "Civil unions -- great; 1,100 federal benefits -- great; you know, give
us these rights. We deserve these rights." And they're absolutely right about that. But it stops short of real equality.
It makes perfect sense to me that people would feel that way. I totally can understand it. It makes sense. And the only thing I would say about the faith
question is I think from my perspective it is wrong, because we have seen a president in the last six-plus years who tries to impose his faith on the American
people. And I think it is a mistake, and I will not impose my faith belief on the American people. I don't believe any president of the United States should do that.
I believe in the separation of church and state.
And these things that we have talked about -- all these substantive issues of equality, which is really what the discussion has been about, these are part of my
heart soul and core. And they are not just issues that I will answer when I am in front of you. They are things that I will fight for every day, both in the
presidential campaign and as president of the United States, because I think America desperately needs it, and I believe in it deeply.
CARLSON:
Joe, very quickly, one more question.
SOLMONESE:
I was just wondering, then, if you could briefly talk about, as you said, it is not your faith. Then what is at the core of that resistance? I know that you said
you're on a journey, and I'm curious where and when you might end up on that journey.
(LAUGHTER)
CARLSON:
How old are you?
EDWARDS:
I'm too old. I'm 54. I can tell you where I am. First of all, I think you deserve to know the truth. And the truth is that my position on same sex marriage has
not changed. We're past the time of political doublespeak about this. I do believe strongly in civil unions and the substantive rights that go with that. I believe we
desperately need to get rid of DOMA. I think we need to get rid of "Don't ask; don't tell." I think we need to get rid of those things.
(APPLAUSE)
And now what? Just as an aside, "Don't ask; don't tell" is not just wrong now. It was wrong when it began. It's been wrong the entire time, as is true with
DOMA. Exactly the same thing is true with DOMA. All I can tell you is where I am today. That's the best I can do. You deserve to know that from me. Today, I
believe in all these other things, but I do not support same sex marriage.
CARLSON:
I want to squeeze in a viewer-generated question. And it's about "Don't ask; don't tell." This is from Jason Knight in Washington, D.C. He was a former
native linguist who was dismissed under "Don't ask; don't tell." We have so many fewer Arabic speakers, thanks to that rule.
EDWARDS:
I know. I know.
CARLSON:
And he said since the ban cannot be lifted by executive order, he claims you need more than the president. President Clinton wanted to do more, but ran into
the generals, ran into Congress, ran into a lot of roadblocks. So how do you do it? What are you going to do?
EDWARDS:
Well, I think the president of the United States can get rid of "Don't ask; don't tell." I appreciate the question, but if the president of the United States
believes that "Don't ask; don't tell" is bad for America -- in fact, bad for our military, and it's discriminatory, all of which is true...
CARLSON:
And when General Colin Powell says no, you can't do it.
EDWARDS:
I'm not sure Colin Powell would say no.
CARLSON:
I think he did say no.
EDWARDS:
Back then. Back then. But it doesn't matter. It's not the job of the generals to make this determination. It is the job of the president of the United States to
make this policy decision.
(APPLAUSE)
And I can tell you I am firmly committed to eliminating "Don't ask; don't tell."
CARLSON:
Well, we're out of time with our questions.
EDWARDS:
Oh, come on.
CARLSON:
Would you like to wrap up? You know, you get to ask us questions if you'd like to. Anyway, you have a minute to yourself.
EDWARDS:
OK. Thank you. Thank you all very much for being here, and thank all of you. You're so important. The truth is America owes you a debt of gratitude.
Some of you heard me talk in the past about two Americas and trying to have one America. If we actually believe in having one America, we've got a lot of
work to do, don't we? And nobody understands that better than the people in this room and the people you're advocating for.
We have such work to do to keep loving couples together who are separated because of immigration laws that are unfair; to have exactly what was described
in one of the earlier questions, to have an employer be able to walk in to an employee and say you are fired because of your sexual orientation, and nothing can
be done about it; to have someone brutally murdered in the United States of America because of their sexual orientation and not have that be a hate crime.
We're better than this. The United States of America is better than this. And we, and all of you, are important in bringing about the change that's necessary in
this country.
And the last thing I want to say to every single person in this room and everyone who can hear the sound of my voice -- it's great that you're having a
presidential forum; I love that; I'm glad we're talking about these really important issues of equality -- but I want to add to that, the real change and the real
movements in America didn't start in the oval office. They started in places and in communities just like this with people with courage and strength that went out
and stood up and fought for what was right, who marched and spoke up. That's what you're doing today, and you're going to change this country along with the
next president of the United States. Thank you all so much.
(APPLAUSE)