There is plenty of Obama love on this site.  Personally, I'm a Hillary supporter, but the Obama support on this site is not lacking.  The tone between Hillary and Obama supporters has gotten rather intense here lately, so I started the Hillary Hate-Free Zone.  It was not intended as a slight against Obama.  It's simply a safe place for Hillary supporters to go without being insulted. 

Openning up this thread is a good start for something positive.  I was truly getting tired of all the animosity elsewhere.  There have been some very positive things given by individual posters, but I will make it a point to make some positive contributions from time to time.

I do think Michele Obama is a formidable woman.  She seems to be just about as gifted a speaker as her husband.

Jennifer Beals, an Obama supporter (per her statements on The View), has a great interview with Tobias Wolff, the chair of the National LGBT Policy Committee for the Barack Obama campaign, over at Ourchart.

Check it out if you get a chance.

 

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"Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but not their own facts." - Sen. Daniel Patrick Moynihan

 1640 Rhode Island Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20036 (202) 628‐4160 (202) 347‐5323 Fax www.hrc.org

2008 Presidential Questionnaire – Senator Barack Obama “The Human Rights Campaign envisions an America where lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people are ensured of their basic equal rights, and can be open, honest and safe at home, at work, and in the community.”  

1. Currently, there is no federal law protecting individuals from job discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity. Qualified, hardworking Americans can still be denied job opportunities, fired or otherwise be discriminated against just because of their sexual orientation in 33 states and because of their gender identity in 42 states As president, would you support and work for passage of a federal bill that would prohibit job discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity?

_Support _Oppose

Comments: I believe the Employment Non-Discrimination Act should be expanded to include sexual orientation and gender identity. I sponsored legislation in the Illinois State Senate that would ban discrimination in employment on the basis of sexual orientation.  

2. Currently the federal hate crimes law does not protect all Americans from bias‐motivated violence. Would you support federal legislation that adds sexual orientation, gender, gender identity and disability to existing federal law giving authority to the federal government to investigate and prosecute violent crimes (H.R. 1592)? This authority already exists for crimes committed because of the victim’s race, color, religion and national origin and because they were attempting to exercise a federally protected right.

 _Support _Oppose

Comments: I am a co-sponsor of the Local Law Enforcement Enhancement Act, which would expand federal jurisdiction to reach violent hate crimes perpetrated because of the race, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or physical disability of the victim.

 3. New treatments have improved the quality of life for those living with HIV/AIDS, but those treatments are expensive, and not available to everyone who needs them. Years of flat‐funding for the Ryan White Care Act has forced states across the country to institute waiting lists, limit formularies, and other cost containment measures. The CARE Act provides access to life‐saving treatment and care for over half a million low‐income Americans with HIV/AIDS. Would you support increased funding for this critical program?

_Support _Oppose

Comments: Throughout the reauthorization process of the Ryan White Care Act (RWCA), I worked closely with RWCA service providers, the Chicago Department of Public Health, and the Illinois Department of Public Health to analyze and find ways to improve the program for Illinois and for the nation. I will continue to protect the multifaceted care upon which RWCA beneficiaries depend.

4. Would you support the Early Treatment for HIV Act (ETHA), S. 860, federal legislation that would allows states the option to provide Medicaid coverage to low‐income, HIV positive Americans. Currently, only Americans that can be considered disabled are eligible for Medicaid coverage, excluding those who are HIV positive but have no symptoms of the disease?

 _Support _Oppose

Comments: I have co-sponsored legislation to bring Medicaid coverage to low-income, HIV-positive Americans. Would you support increased funding for HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment and research? _Support _Oppose Comments: 5. Would you support the Responsible Education About Life (REAL) Act which would create a federal grant program to channel money to states that choose to teach comprehensive and age‐appropriate sex education for America’s students that includes science‐based prevention methods?

 _Support _Oppose

Comments: In addition to supporting the REAL Act, I am also an original co-sponsor of the Prevention First Act, which will increase funding for family planning and comprehensive sex education that teaches both abstinence and safe sex methods. The Act will also end insurance discrimination against contraception, improve awareness about emergency contraception, and provide compassionate assistance to rape victims.

 

6. Currently, only Massachusetts recognizes equal marriage rights for same sex couples. Do you believe the civil institution of marriage (with absolutely no requirements imposed on religious institutions) should be made legally available to two committed adults of the same sex?

_Support _Oppose

Comments:  If you do not believe that civil marriage for same‐sex couples should be made available to same‐sex couples on the same basis as opposite sex couples, is there any legal construct you do embrace that would extend legal recognition to same sex couples? 2

I believe civil unions should include the same legal rights that accompany a marriage license. I support the notion that all people – gay or straight – deserve the same rights and responsibilities to assist their loved ones in times of emergency, deserve equal health insurance and other employment benefits currently extended to traditional married couples, and deserve the same property rights as anyone else.

 

However, I do not support gay marriage. Marriage has religious and social connotations, and I consider marriage to be between a man and a woman. If I was President, however, I would oppose any effort to stifle a state’s ability to decide this question on its own. Whether it was a Constitutional amendment banning gay marriage or a bill like the Defense of Marriage Act, I would oppose such efforts. I think the President should do all he or she can to advance strong families. Whatever the make-up of the family, it is the President’s role to provide policies and leadership that enable the family to thrive.

 

If a state has taken the steps to recognize same sex couples and their families for purposes of state‐based benefits, rights, privileges and responsibilities (such as marriage in Massachusetts and civil unions in Vermont and Connecticut), should the federal government recognize the state’s legal recognition of such couples and families for purposes of federal benefits and tax treatment?

_Support _Oppose

Comments:

 

7. According to a 2004 GAO report, over 1,100 benefits, rights and privileges are provided to married couples and their families in federal law that are not available to same‐sex couples. Do you support extending federal benefits, rights, privileges and responsibilities to same‐sex couples (and their children) provided the partnership meets certain federal standards of commitment and mutuality of interest?

 _Support _Oppose

Comments: 

 

 Specifically, do you support the expansion of the Family and Medical Leave Act to cover domestic partners and their children?

_Support _Oppose

Comments:

 

 Do you support modifying the Social Security System to pay survivor benefits to the same‐sex partners of gay and lesbian people?

_Support _Oppose

Comments:

 

Do you support fair and equal tax treatment of same sex couples on the same basis as married couples?  

_Support _Oppose

 Comments:

 

8. Many gay and lesbian people serve in the federal government but do not receive the same health insurance and other employee benefits of married couples. Do you support domestic partner coverage for gay and lesbian employees of the civilian federal workforce?

_Support _Oppose

Comments:

 

9. While 47 states allow gay and lesbian people to adopt children, some legislators are pushing to prohibit capable, committed adults from adopting because of their sexual orientation. As president, would you support giving appropriate judicial authorities the full authority to make decisions on adoption based on the best interest of the child, without bans based solely on sexual orientation?

_Support _Oppose

 

Comments:  I believe there are too many children who need loving parents to deny one group of people adoption rights. A child will benefit from a healthy, loving home, whether the parents are gay or not.

 

10. Would you support the Uniting American Families Act which would enable an American citizen to petition for immigration sponsorship for a same-sex partner, and the INS would treat the relationships between opposite and same-sex couples in the same manner under the immigration code?

 _Support _Oppose

Comments:  As someone who believes that homosexual couples should have the same legal rights as married couples and that our immigration laws should unite families, I support the Uniting American Families Act in concept. But I also believe that changes need to be made to the bill to minimize the potential for fraud and abuse of the immigration system.

 

11. Would you support a congressional repeal of the “Donʹt Ask, Donʹt Tell” policy which would allow gay, lesbian, and bisexual soldiers the right to serve openly in the military as is currently the policy in nearly every NATO country (H.R. 1246)?

_Support _Oppose

Comments:  I believe that we need to repeal the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy. The key test for military service should be patriotism, a sense of duty, and a willingness to serve. We also have evidence that Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell is not working. A 2005 GAO report found that the policy has resulted in a significant loss of service members in critical occupations and with important language skills like Arabic and Korean. Former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General John Shalikashvili said times have changed and that, "I now believe that if gay men and lesbians served openly in the United States military, they would not undermine the efficacy of the armed forces."

 

I'm a BIG Obama supporter and I've seen very few write ups about him and his campaign from AE. I think he and Michelle are incredible people and I will support them no matter what. I'm impressed with the way they've handled themselves thus far and I hope that they continue to focus their energy on the American people and the issues at hand.

"Pessimism of the intellect must be accompanied by optimism of the will."
Angela Davis

I don't believe that AfterEllen has officially supported any candidate. That being said, I don't deny that many of the vloggers seem to be supporting Hillary. However, I don't think you can ask people to change their opinions in the interest of equal coverage. This is not a news outlet ... there is no requirement of neutrality.
If you don't believe Obama's getting coverage, write or video something, and ask Sarah to post it.

Lisa

Anyone who trades liberty for security deserves neither liberty nor security -- B. Franklin

If more of the "official" bloggers on this site would prefer to see Hillary as the Democratic nominee, then, well, there you are.

If more of the users of this site would rather see Obama as the nominee, then, well, it's up to them to create the movement.  This site certainly doesn't discriminate.  In fact, it provides an ideal forum for dissent and dialogue.

What is it that you expect from this site?  Validation or community? 

Paid for by Obama for America

Speak up. Tell Barack your story at:

www.BarackObama.com/issues

or by calling

312-496-6614

Expand Hate Crimes Statutes

In 2004, crimes against LGBT Americans constituted the third-highest category of hate crime reported.

Obama co-sponsored legislation to expand federal hate crimes law to include crimes perpetrated

because of sexual orientation or gender identity.

Fight Workplace Discrimination and Promote Rights

Obama believes the Employment Non-Discrimination Act should be expanded to include sexual orientation

and gender identity. Obama sponsored legislation in the Illinois State Senate that would ban employment

discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.

Support Full Civil Unions and Federal Rights for LGBT Couples

Barack Obama supports full civil unions that give same-sex couples equal legal rights and privileges as

married couples, including the right to assist their loved ones in times of emergency as well as equal

health insurance, employment benefits, and property and adoption rights. Obama also believes we need

to fully repeal the Defense of Marriage Act and enact legislation that would ensure that the 1,100+ federal

legal rights and benefits currently provided on the basis of marital status are extended to same-sex

couples in civil unions and other legally-recognized unions.

Oppose a Constitutional Ban on Same-Sex Marriage

Obama voted against the Federal Marriage Amendment, which would have defined marriage as between

a man and a woman and prevented judicial extension of marriage-like rights to same-sex or other unmarried

couples.

Repeal Don’t Ask-Don’t Tell

Obama believes we need to repeal the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy. The key test for military service

should be patriotism, a sense of duty, and a willingness to serve. Obama will work with military leaders

to repeal the current policy and ensure we accomplish our national defense goals.

Fight AIDS Worldwide

Obama has been a global leader in the fight against AIDS. He traveled to Kenya and took a public HIV

test to encourage testing and reduce the stigma of the disease. Obama worked to reauthorize the Ryan

White CARE Act, one of the largest sources of federal funds for primary health care and support services

for HIV/AIDS patients.

Barack Obama supports the LGBT community.

Barack Obama

on LGBT RIGHTS