Republican Presidential Candidates and the LGBTQ Community: Ron Paul
Hey Equalizers!
I recently read a rather interesting article about the recent Iowa caucus. It featured five or so homosexual men voicing their praise for the upcoming republican presidential candidates despite the candidates less than great track record when it came to LGBTQ issues such as marriage equality, hate crimes aimed at LGBTQ people, DADT, and more. They made points about how certain candidates had become more accepting and how others may have not, but the economic benefits of these republican candidates outweighed the issues because in Iowa, there is marriage equality.
Judging by the article alone, I started to write my own article about how certain candidates were being perceived by the LGBTQ community and their allies. Having second thoughts, I stepped back and started researching further. There was so much information that many mainstream articles had not been covering when it came to the candidate’s views! Many of the candidates are more radical than even I was lead to believe.
That’s why I am starting a series of articles that profile the different presidential candidates and a more detailed description of how they feel about LGBTQ issues. Now, I’m not saying that these are the only issues important in an election, but these issues many times get looked over and could have great effects on the community if they are disregarded and that candidate wins the presidency.
I’ll start with one of the most talked about figures in the race right now, Ron Paul. Paul was actually one of the candidates featured in the Iowa caucus article that the men favored the most.
This is surprising because recently, a series of newsletters and quotes from Paul’s book have surfaced that have been hurtful to not only the LGBTQ community, but to different races and sexual harassment victims. In his book, Paul calls those who are homosexual living with or who have died of AIDS “victims of their own lifestyle.” He also said that victims of sexual harassment should quit their jobs rather than report the harassment. While according to CNN, Paul claims it was a “ghost writer” who wrote these claims; the book was published in his name.
Paul has been vague on his position on passing a marriage equality act saying he doesn’t believe any marriage should have to be ordained by the state, but this has lead to one of his more concrete opinions. He would not allow same-sex couples rights under law such as burial rights, hospital visitation and joint bank accounts.
Another position Paul is strong on is his position on the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” According to glassbooth.org, he calls open homosexuality in the military “a distraction,” and says it should be “dealt with.” Paul also opposes any amendments that would protect LGBTQ people against hate crimes according to glassbooth.org. He also does not support the Employee Non-Discrimination Act because he does not believe that the LGBTQ community, or any group for that matter, should get “special privileges.”
As far as family planning goes, Paul, who is pro-life, voted against a bill in 1999 in Washington D.C. that would allow same-sex couples to adopt children.
There are many more issues that either Paul has refused to comment on or have so far not been asked of him publicly such as transgender health care, care of homeless LGBTQ youth, and more.
If you would like to read the article about homosexual men at the Iowa Caucus this is the link: http://www.washingtonblade.com/2012/01/03/young-gay-caucus-goers-talk-politics-support-for-gop/
- Kristin
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