The differences between two major-party candidates for president have perhaps never been as stark as they are in the 2016 election. When it comes to experience, temperament, outlook and adherence to basic norms of civility, Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump could not be further from one another. Trump’s pervasive insistence on eschewing human decency may make Clinton the no-brainer choice for a progressive publication, but PGN is endorsing Clinton because of her qualifications, not because of Trump’s lack of them.
Clinton has demonstrated a firm commitment to LGBT equality, through both actions and attitudes.
As a U.S. Senator, Clinton backed LGBT inclusion in the federal hate-crimes and nondiscrimination statutes.
As Secretary of State, she elevated the international discourse on LGBT rights. “Gay rights are human rights, and human rights are gay rights,” she said in a seminal 2011 speech in Switzerland. Clinton spearheaded initiatives around the globe that sought to empower LGBT citizens and root out violence against the community. She worked to secure equal rights for LGBT U.S. diplomats and incorporated gender identity into the State Department’s nondiscrimination policy.
Just like our current president, Clinton’s stance on marriage equality evolved over the years, and she became a vocal supporter of same-sex marriage several years ago. Critics have pointed to her husband’s signing of the Defense of Marriage Act and “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” as indications of flip-flopping but, as it has needed to be repeatedly pointed out this campaign season, Hillary, not Bill, Clinton is running for president. The America in which those two laws were signed two decades ago is vastly different from the America of 2016. Scores upon scores of political figures have moved forward on our community’s issues in recent years, rightfully pushed and pressed by our community. That a politician has completed that process, not necessarily on what day it happened, is the important factor.
Clinton is with us. LGBT issues have factored prominently into her campaign messaging. LGBT people are represented throughout all levels of her campaign, including Clinton’s out campaign manager. If elected, she has pledged to work with Congress to pass the Equality Act and ban conversion therapy at the federal level, address violence against transgender people head on and continue to work to eradicate AIDS, among other initiatives.
She is with us. So we are with her.
PGN proudly endorses Hillary Clinton for president of the United States.