Edwards' record of support for LGBT rights [View All]

Human Rights Campaign questionnaire (PDF file)

"I believe that couples in committed, long-term relationships should have the same rights, benefits, and responsibilities, whether they are straight couples or same-sex couples. I support civil unions to guarantee gay and lesbian couples the same rights as straight couples, including inheritance rights, hospital visitation rights, equal pension and health care benefits, and all of the 1,100 other legal protections government affords married couples. I support the repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act provision that prevents the federal government from recognizing same-sex relationships. Gay marriage is an issue I feel internal conflict about and I continue to struggle with it. However, I believe the right president could lead the country toward consensus around equal rights and benefits for all couples in committed, long-term relationships."

Edwards Statement On House Passage Of Hate Crimes Bill

Chapel Hill, North Carolina – Senator John Edwards released the following statement praising the House of Representatives for passing the Hate Crimes Bill yesterday.

"As Americans, we should mourn the need for hate crimes legislation, just as we lament the fact that 25 Americans are victims of hate crimes every day. Yet today, we should also applaud the House of Representatives for taking an important and historic step in helping law enforcement ensure that all Americans have the same protections from hate crimes.

"Today, the House showed in an overwhelming vote, that it will not tolerate discrimination of any form, when it strengthened the ability of law enforcement to investigate and prosecute hate crimes based on race, gender, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, disability or gender identity. President Bush should back down from his wrong-headed veto threat and work with Congress to enact this important legislation to show that Americans will not tolerate hate crimes of any kind."

John Edwards Statement On New Hampshire's Recognition Of Civil Unions

Senator John Edwards released the following statement today on New Hampshire's recognition of civil unions.

"Today, Gov. Lynch and the state of New Hampshire 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. New Hampshire's decision to recognize civil unions and grant gay and lesbian couples the same rights granted to heterosexual married couples is an important step in the fight for justice. This is an issue of fundamental fairness, and by passing this law, New Hampshire's leaders chose fairness over discrimination."

WHERE THE DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES STAND: An analysis of the candidates’ questionnaires on issues of concern to the GLBT community
from the Human Rights Campaign

National LGBT Leaders Endorse John Edwards For President

Chapel Hill, North Carolina – The John Edwards for President campaign announced today that prominent LGBT leaders from across the country endorsed Senator John Edwards for President.

"I am honored to have the support of so many well-respected LGBT leaders," said Edwards. "They work hard every day to make our country a better place and I am proud to join with them to fight for equal rights for all Americans."

The following LGBT leaders endorsed Edwards for President:

*Skip Paul, Corporate Executive
*Darren Star, TV Producer
*Julie Johnson, Human Rights Campaign Public Policy Committee Co-Chair
*Eric Stern, Former National Stonewall Democrats Executive Director; Former Democratic National Committee LGBT Outreach Director
*David Mixner, Former Bill Clinton for President Adviser; LGBT activist, fundraiser, author www.davidmixner.com
*Dennis Erdman, TV Producer/ Director
*Mary Snider, Human Rights Campaign Board of Directors Executive Committee Member
*David Tseng, Kerry-Edwards 2004 National LGBT Advisory Committee Co-Chair; Former Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) National Executive Director
*David Mariner, Former Out for Howard Dean Co-Chair; Founder, www.outfordemocracy.org
*James Duff, TV Producer
*Ramon Gardenhire, National Stonewall Democrats Black Caucus Co-Chair; Former DNC LGBT Deputy Outreach Director
*Scott Benson, Majority Leader Minneapolis City Council
*Shane Larson, AFL-CIO Pride @ Work National Executive Board Member; Association of Flight Attendants (AFA)-Communications Workers of America (CWA) Government Affairs Director
*Scott Wiener, Human Rights Campaign Board of Directors Member; San Francisco Democratic Party Chair* (for identification purposes only)
*Jeff Gardner, Garden State Equality Vice Chair; New Jersey for Democracy Co-Chair
*Lynne Wiggins, Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network (GLSEN) National Leadership Council Member; Former Human Rights Campaign Board of Governors Member
*Ken Keechl, Broward County Commissioner; Former Dolphin Democrats President
*Linda Elliott, Human Rights Committee Board of Directors Member
*Dave Garrity, Former Democratic National Committee Member
*Mark Periello, Former Human Rights Campaign staff member; Democratic strategist
*Ron Ginsburg, LGBT Community Activist; business owner
*Randall Kelly, LGBT Community Activist; attorney
*Stephanie Kornegay, LGBT Community Activist; business owner
*Robert D. Horvath, Mautner Project Board of Directors Member
*Patrick J. Lyden, LGBT Community Activist; Homeland Security Advisor

Gay Democratic Party Activists Back Edwards

Two established Democratic and LGBT leaders have come out in support of 2008 presidential candidate John Edwards. Both men plan to be actively involved in the Edwards campaign.

Eric Stern has served as both the Executive Director of the Stonewall Democrats, and former Director of LGBT Outreach for the Democratic National Committee. Stern writes on the Edwards website "I initially was inspired to enter the field of activism and politics because of my desire to advocate for disdvantaged communities. John Edwards is the only presidential candidate who has a demonstrated committment to the social justice issues about which I care so deeply."

David Mixner is a long time political strategist, advocate, and activist. He has played important roles in over 75 campaigns, including Bill Clinton's first presidential campaign. Mixner is a former national co-chair of the Victory Fund. Mixner recently told the New York Observer "This is probably the first election in a while that LGBT issues are not what I'm voting on. It's the first election where other issues are coming to the fore."

Edwards campaign touts gay supporters

Democrat John Edwards is touting prominent gay supporters who have signed on to his presidential campaign, including a former adviser to President Clinton.
Businessman David Mixner is one of 25 people listed on a news release that the Edwards campaign distributed Tuesday, along with a statement from the candidate saying he is honored to have the backing of so many respected gay leaders.

"They work hard every day to make our country a better place and I am proud to join with them to fight for equal rights for all Americans," Edwards said.

Edwards is making a push for gay support in the competitive Democratic presidential primary. In February, he came out in support of legislation that would end the "don't ask, don't tell" policy that prevents people who are openly gay from serving in the military.

Debate with Dick Cheney (October 5, 2004)

"I believe that marriage is between a man and a woman, and so does John Kerry. I also believe that there should be partnership benefits for gay and lesbian couples in long-term, committed relationships."

Gay politicos impressed by Edwards, Obama

Just weeks into their presidential campaigns, former Sen. John Edwards (D-N.C.) and Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) are impressing some political observers for their handling of gay rights issues.

Democratic National Committee GLBT Caucus Chair Rick Stafford and other politicos said Edwards and Obama have quickly outshined a crowded field of other White House hopefuls because they’re prepared to sincerely discuss gay issues.
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