Presidential Candidate General Wesley Clark is Pro-Gay Moderate

[Democrats unite]

Unlike Bush He says: 'I Don't Believe Gays are Inherently Sinful'

National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Details Gen. Clark's Views

Compiled By GayToday
National Gay and Lesbian Task Force

Washington, D.C.--General Wesley Clark is "another pro-gay moderate joining the most pro-gay field of presidential candidates in history," according to the National Gay and lesbian Task Force (NGLTF). Former NATO Supreme Commander Clark, who led NATO forces in the war in Kosovo, announced his candidacy yesterday in his home town of Little Rock, Arkansas.


http://www.gaytoday.com/events/091803ev.asp

[JI7]

1. disgusting what bush said

you know how disgusting it is to respond to a question about gays by saying something like, everyone is a sinner? fucking prick. huge insult and very offensive to gays, lesbians, bi, etc. i wonder what dick cheney thinks of that. nice to see clark on the right side on this issue.

[joeybee12]

2. His responses at the end of the article aren't great...

...but still better than the Neanderthal-in-Charge's!

[rabid_nerd]

3. No Gay Marriage - Clark?

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A28377-2003Sep18.html

"He said he supported legalized abortion and civil unions for homosexuals (though not gay marriage) and would roll back only the provisions of President Bush's 2001 and 2003 tax cuts that benefit the affluent. . .

[Democrats unite]

6. It's alright with me to start with civil unions & then work for

Marriage. Iv'e waited this damn long I can wait a little while longer. I believe the Positives far outweigh the negitives with General Wesley Clark.

[Cappurr]

9. I know I may be stepping into a firstorm here....

I'm about as pro-gay as they come. I was actively pro-gay in the 60s, before it was "the fashion". But I gotta say that this "gay marriage" vs. "civil union" is nuts. The object is to get the same rights for gays that straights have. Marriage has two components = civil and religious. You need to get a licence from the state which gives the parties certain rights and responsibilities (federal and state benefits, employment insurance benefits, pension benefits, etc.) and then you have a religious ceremony. You don't need the religious ceremony....you can do it civilly if you choose.

When you use the word "marriage" you rile up a lot of right=wing religious freaks who start quoting the bible. Civlil unions that give the exact same benefits and marriage is the way to avoid a lot of that nonsense. There is absolutely nothing that any law can do to stop you from having a religious ceremony if you choose, just as there is no law that can force a church to marry you if they don't want to.

So forget about what you call it. Just get the rights that you are entitled to.

[jonnyblitz]

4. thanks for posting this informative article. I am very impressed

It's great to hear a military general take this stance! :hi:

[Democrats unite]

7. Your welcome.

eom

[jumptheshadow]

5. Don't Ask, Don't Tell

As a former general, Clark probably has the credibility to bring a fair resolution to the issue of gays and lesbians in the armed forces.

To anybody who hasn't read it let me recommend the late Randy Shilts's excellent book, "Conduct Unbecoming..." What a nightmare this situation has been to many well-meaning gay people.

[joeybee12]

10. I was very disappointed in Shilts' book....

...he used it largely as a forum to bash gay Dems. Would have been nice if he kept to the topic of gays in the military.

He was obviously a Republican. Gay republicans are the worse--must be the paranoia of being such a small minority.

[jonnyblitz]

11. yup I read that book.

and I was a "don't ask don't tell" gay navy dude for 10 years. That book didn't exaggerate. TRUST ME! I was lucky and never got caught or "outed". I saw what happened sometimes to those who did...it wasn't pretty.

Its good to see that he has the balls to go against the grain of his military brethren on this issue. It would be so much simpler for him to change the subject. I am impressed.

[DoveTurnedHawk]

8. He Has Spoken Against the Decimation of the Interpreter Corps

Which, as I understand it, had a significantly higher proportion of GLB folks compared to the general population.

I can't recall this specifically, but my recollection is that he was talking about hiring (or rehiring) tens of thousands of Arab-speaking interpreters to help with the situation in Iraq.

DTH