Reply #24: My candidate, Kucinich, is a vocal supporter of gay marriage rights. [View All]

REP. DENNIS KUCINICH

Equal Marriage: Vocal proponent of same-sex marriage. Has said that there is no reason why it should be restricted to a man and a woman.

Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell: Supports the repeal of DADT.

Hate Crimes: Co-sponsor of the bill that would add gender identity and sexual orientation to the definition of hate crimes. Pushed for its passage.

ENDA: Sponsor of ENDA.

HIV/AIDS: Kucinich has called for a massive increase in federal spending on HIV/AIDS research and prevention.

Transgender Issues: Supports a federal bill that would prohibit discrimination based on gender identity; supports adding gender identity to the definition of hate crimes.

Comment:

Kucinich is widely considered the most progressive candidate on GLBT issues. He regularly includes transgenders when he talks about gay issues, and has called for equal marriage for all. He is one of the few Democratic candidates to have voted against the Defense of Marriage Act, which defined marriage as between a man and a woman. He also believes gays and lesbians should be treated equally by employers.

A couple months ago, when asked whether he was pro-gay marriage, he said, “ The answer to your question is yes. And let me tell you why. Because if our Constitution really means what it says, that all are created equal, if it really means what it says, that there should be equality of opportunity before the law, then our brothers and sisters who happen to be gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender should have the same rights accorded to them as anyone else, and that includes the ability to have a civil marriage ceremony.”

Kucinich was a sponsor of the Permanent Partners Act, which would treat same-sex partners as equivalent to heterosexual partners for purposes of immigration.

I'm continually shocked that he doesn't get more support than he does. Oh, wait, that's right. He claims to have seen a UFO. Never mind, the aforementioned gay rights message, impeachment, ditching the Patriot Act, making this administration accountable, ending the war... You know, ALL the shit we bitch about here on DU day in and day out.