blueAlto

Until today, I have not indicated it in writing on this site, but I am enthusiastically supporting Hillary Clinton for president. Her career, her leadership, her experience, and what I perceive as her sincere intent to make a change for the better, are the reasons that this woman will have my vote.

Though it was this guest post today at The Bilerico Project, the largest and most prominent gay group blog in the country which sealed the deal for me. I can honestly say that I had never imagined a candidate running for the US presidency would offer such strong and definitive support to the GLBT community.

Sure, there are some interesting word choices in a few examples, but lets remember the woman is in the presidential race; idealism is wonderful, though not if it undercuts your entire agenda. Wide appeal, is unfortunately the reality of the day. That's not a line I tow often, but in this case I think it's self explanatory. 

Just a few of her points that stuck out for me.

• I am proud to be a co-sponsor of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, the Matthew Shepard Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act, and the Domestic Partnership Benefits and Obligation Act which would grant the same benefits (including health insurance) to domestic partners of federal employees that are currently offered to employees’ legal spouses.
• I am proud to have authored the Early Treatment for HIV Act, which expands access to vital treatment options for low-income individuals living with HIV, and fought to fully fund the Ryan White CARE Act.
• I am proud that I hired a National Director of LGBT Outreach within a month of announcing my candidacy for President and to have openly gay and lesbian staffers serving at all levels of my campaign.
• I am proud to have a National LGBT Steering Committee of over 130 that includes openly LGBT elected officials, Board members and opinion leaders on issues ranging from transgender rights, to HIV/AIDS, to “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell”.
• I am proud to have marched in Gay Pride parades as both First Lady and as Senator and to have spoken in front of so many LGBT audiences ranging from the Human Rights Campaign, Empire State Pride Agenda, the Hetrick Martin Institute, PFLAG (Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays), GMHC (Gay Men’s Health Crisis), and the American Foundation for AIDS Research.

Though it was when she stated the following, that she got me right in the heart.

My father was a conservative Republican, who held very traditional views for much of his life. Yet in his last years, it was a gay couple who lived next door who provided much of the compassion and comfort he and my mother needed as he grew ill. And it was that same neighbor who held his hand as he died. If my father can move, America can move.