Human Rights Campaign PAC Releases Comprehensive Report on Sen. John McCain’s Record on GLBT Issues
WASHINGTON – The Human Rights Campaign PAC, the federal political action committee of the nation’s largest gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender civil rights organization, today announced the release of a comprehensive report – “Senator John McCain: A Record of Opposing the Interests of GLBT Americans.” As the general election nears, Sen. John McCain will tout his reputation as a maverick, an independent and a moderate, but a review of Sen. McCain’s record paints a different picture. The report provides an in-depth view of Sen. John McCain’s record on GLBT issues and the likelihood that a McCain presidency would be similar to that of President George W. Bush. The full report and a summary can be viewed online at www.hrc.org/McCain.
“We’ve witnessed President Bush over the last seven years repeatedly side with ultra-conservatives and the religious right at the expense of protections for GLBT Americans. Judging by his record, a McCain presidency would be another four years of more of the same,” said Human Rights Campaign Vice President David Smith. “Similar to Bush, Sen. John McCain opposes equal benefits for same-sex couples; opposes the Employment Non-Discrimination Act to prohibit discrimination against GLBT Americans in the workplace; opposes expanding the hate crimes act to include sexual orientation and gender identity, and supports the military’s discriminatory Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy.”
“Sen. McCain voted against the Federal Marriage Amendment, which would have rewritten discrimination into our Constitution, but his position on equality for same-sex couples is no different than that of President Bush and the conservative right,” said Arizona State Legislator Kyrsten Sinema, who serves on the HRC Arizona Steering Committee and previously directed Arizona Together, the group responsible for defeating the 2006 Arizona constitutional amendment against marriage equality. “The same year Sen. McCain voted against the FMA, he worked to oppose equal rights in his home state of Arizona by appearing in a television advertisement in support of a constitutional amendment that not only would have banned same-sex marriage, but also would have taken away existing benefits and legal protections for unmarried families.”
In 2006, voters in Arizona were faced with a vote on Proposition 107 - an amendment to the Arizona Constitution that prohibited any form of relationship recognition. To view the television advertisement showing McCain voicing support for the amendment, visit the HRC blog: http://www.hrcbackstory.org/.
Highlights from “Senator John McCain: A Record of Opposing the Interests of GLBT Americans”:
- Opposed Ending Discrimination Against GLBT Americans in the Workplace. Senator McCain cast a deciding vote against the federal Employment Non-Discrimination Act.
- Opposed Protecting GLBT Americans from Hate Crimes. Senator McCain voted three times against expanding the federal hate crimes law to include sexual orientation and gender identity.
- Proponent of Discriminatory Military Policy. Senator McCain supports Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell and does not believe that gays should serve in the military.
- Opponent of Equal Benefits for Same-Sex Couples. Senator McCain voted for the Defense of Marriage Act which prohibits same-sex couples from receiving federal rights and benefits in any state.
- Actively Supported State Ban on Domestic Partnerships. Senator McCain campaigned for a ban on same-sex relationship recognition in his home state of Arizona – even appearing in a campaign television ad.
- Supported the Confirmation of Anti-GLBT Equality Judges. Senator McCain voted to confirm President Bush’s judicial nominees who had taken anti-GLBT positions. He has pointed to Justice Samuel Alito as a role model for future Supreme Court appointments.
- Supported a Discriminatory HIV/AIDS Policy. Senator McCain supported a Jesse Helms strategy to cut off funding for prevention efforts aimed at the gay community and voted to prohibit foreign nationals with HIV from immigrating to the United States.
The Human Rights Campaign is America’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender equality. By inspiring and engaging all Americans, HRC strives to end discrimination against GLBT citizens and realize a nation that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all.
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Paid for by Human Rights Campaign PAC (www.hrc.org/pac) and not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee. |