LGBT Presidential Forum on LOGO TV

Last night I gathered with a few dozen other Stonewall Democrats at a local coffee house to watch the LOGO TV presidential forum. It was a very nice change from the lineup of podiums and sound bites that most of these alleged debates are rife with. Each candidate who responded was interviewed in order of their acceptance of the invitation, a revealing tidbit in itself. A panel of three interviewers including Melissa Ethridge had 15 minutes with each candidate to discuss LGBT issues. It was very revealing.

The biggest news of the night was the gaffs, specifically a big one by Bill Richardson who responded to a question of whether he believed homosexuality was a choice. He first said “yes” and then proceeded to backpedal and stammer through what was almost but not quite a retraction.

The first guest was Barak Obama who not only looked presidential but sounded it. Though he does not endorse gay “marriage” he was adamant that he endorses “civil unions” that would have all the legal privileges of a marriage. He said Marriage was up to the church to decide, and I agree. I think all legal couplings should be civil unions. Marriages should not be endorsed by the state, but by the participants or the church. Just my take.

Next was John Edwards. The fair haired boy of the Democratic Party did a good showing, but was far from the most gay-friendly candidate.

Nest was Dennis Kucinich. The feisty Senator from Ohio was a crowd favorite because he comes across as completely and openly gay marriage friendly. He is a great man and a good person to spur the debate, though I suspect even he doesn’t think he can win the nomination.

Mike Gravel and Bill Richardson were also on the schedule, Gravel was predictably a bit starry eyed and slightly odd, and Richardson was stiff and stumbly as I mentioned earlier.

Last because she was the last to accept the invitation, was Hillary Clinton, a favorite with the lesbians in the room. She offered no surprises but did a good job defending her positions. Again she falls short of full gay marriage endorsement.

All in all, it was a good chance to hear the candidates speak on GLBT issues, but I really feel the Gay Marriage issue would be moot if civil rights were the first order of business.

As for me, I still back Obama and think he can not only inspire the country but be a great leader in what promises to be a difficult period of rebuilding America’s greatness after the damage of the Bush years.