Previewing Edwards at LGBT forum
Posted: Thursday, August 09, 2007 4:09 PM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under:
Democrats
From NBC's Jenny AnzelmoThis afternoon the Edwards campaign held a conference call with two of Edwards’ advisers on lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender issues: Eric Stern, associate director in the Career Development Office at The University of California, Berkeley and former executive director of the National Stonewall Democrats; and Stephen Handwerk, member of the board of directors for National Stonewall Democrats.
The call previewed what Edwards will say tonight in the LOGO LGBT forum in Los Angeles. The campaign stressed Edwards' belief in fundamental equality and fairness for all, and they stressed his support of civil unions. Edwards does not support gay marriage in name, but his campaign says he supports giving all of the same legal rights of traditional marriage to same-sex couples, because “civil unions are the way to move forward in this country and get a guarantee that gay couples are treated the same under the law.”
"He doesn't believe that gays and lesbians, who want to enter into committed relationships should be denied 1,100 rights and benefits that are afforded to every other American,” said Jonathan Prince, Edwards’ deputy campaign manager.
Stern and Handwerk said they are also pleased with Elizabeth Edwards, who believes gay and lesbian couples should be allowed to marry, and whose views are to the left of her husband’s.
"Personally, I think our community should be very encouraged by the fact that in that vain we will have a First Lady in Elizabeth who will be our personal lobbyist on this issue," Stern said.
Expect to hear again tonight that Edwards is personally conflicted by his religious beliefs on gay marriage, but he still believes same-sex couples should be guaranteed the same rights under federal law as heterosexual couples.
Edwards will also likely continue to talk about his vision for "One America," stressing his platform of social justice. He may also tout the hate crimes legislation he introduced as a senator -- which was mentioned on the conference call -- and call on current lawmakers to work on the issue.
