Bill Richardson on GLBT rights.

I was responding to a post somewhere else and thought I might share some thoughts in a separate dedicated thread. If you know anything about Bill Richardson and GLBT issues, you know about his 'it's a choice' gaffe. But there's more to him then just that, and I hope he can/has learned since then.
Regarding gay marriage, I personally have issues with the government being involved at all in the marriage business. Marriage, religious in nature or otherwise, is a personal issue not open to legislation in my opinion. But since it is, I'm all for everyone having the same rights as everyone else. Below, you'll see Bill Richardson isn't 'there' quite yet, but has taken more bold positions on GLBT issues than your average presidential candidate.
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http://www.issues2000.org/2008/Bill_Richardson_Civil_Rights.htm

Bill Richardson on Civil Rights
Democratic Governor (NM)

Won't accept honorary chair of Boy Scouts due to gay issue
Q If you're president of the United States you're automatically honorary chairman of the Boy Scouts of America. In light of that organization's position on sexual orientation, would you accept that position?
A: No, I wouldn't. Because I think, as president, I would commit myself, number one, that I will be a leader that prevents discrimination on the basis of race, gender and sexual orientation.

Source: 2007 Democratic primary debate at Dartmouth College Sep 6, 2007

Focus on achievable civil unions as a path to full inclusion
Q: In response to a question on same sex marriage at the CNN-YouTube debate, you said you would focus less on marriage and more on what's "achievable" in terms of rights and responsibilities for same sex couples. When will same sex marriage be achievable
A: The nation, I believe, is on a path to full inclusion. A president must lead that effort. In my judgment, what is achievable is civil unions with full marriage rights, with domestic partnership. I believe that's achievable.

Source: 2007 HRC/LOGO debate on gay issues Aug 9, 2007

Voted for DOMA, but now regrets vote; repeal it
Q: In 1996 why did you vote for DOMA?
A: I was the chief deputy Democratic whip at the time, and Clinton was president. The objective in passing DOMA was to fight a huge assault for a constitutional amendment in the Congress to ban gay marriage. It was sort of a cheap political way to decimate a bad initiative. I would repeal that horrendous initiative that I voted for and I regret now. DOMA would preclude a number of the full partnership rights that I want to see with civil unions.

Source: 2007 HRC/LOGO debate on gay issues Aug 9, 2007

Included transgender in hate-crimes law
Look at what Bill Richardson as governor has done.
I passed a hate crimes act that was based on non-discrimination I was the first governor to include transgender.
I also passed domestic partnerships avoiding discrimination. I'm the only governor that called a special session to expand domestic partnership.
I've appointed Cabinet members that are gay and lesbians. All through my administration I have been inclusive of the lesbian/gay community.
Source: 2007 HRC/LOGO debate on gay issues Aug 9, 2007

Apologizes for "maricon" comment; but look at the record
Q: As a guest on the Don Imus show, "Imus in the Morning", in March 2006, you were asked by Imus in a gag if a staffer was a "maricon," which is Spanish for "faggot." In your response, you repeated the epithet. But you've since apologized and now you question the timing of this issue coming up. Do you not believe that you should be held accountable for repeating that word?
A: Sure, you know, and I'm Hispanic. I felt the sting as a kid of being stereotyped. And I apologized but I meant no harm when I said that. It was, you know, one of those exchanges that I was caught off guard. No, I am not backing off. I apologize, but I think you should look at my actions and not words. Let me tell you what I've done as governor. You can talk about what mistakes people have made. I've made plenty. And I've probably said things that I regret across the board. But we should look at what we've done. I accept obviously -- but you should look at my record. Action speaks louder than words.

Source: 2007 HRC/LOGO debate on gay issues Aug 9, 2007

The country isn't there yet on gay marriage
Q: You said you're calling a special session for domestic partnerships in NM....
A: No. I did .

Q: Oh, you did. And how did it go?

A: It didn't pass. We lost by one vote.

Q: So you didn't call a special session for same sex marriage because you can't get domestic partnership through. If the New Mexico legislature handed you a marriage bill, would you sign it?

A: I am pushing the NM legislature very hard to expand domestic partnership. It's a question of going through a path that is achievable.

Q: If the legislature hands you that piece of legislation, in your heart, where are you on that issue?

A: Well, you know, in my heart, I'm doing what is achievable. And I'm not there yet. And the country isn't there yet. New Mexico isn't there yet. We have to bring the country on. We have to move in the direction of making this happen. That doesn't mean that I'm closed on this issue. It means that you do what is achievable.

Source: 2007 HRC/LOGO debate on gay issues Aug 9, 2007

Homosexuality is a choice, but it's not an issue of science
Q: Do you think homosexuality is a choice, or is it biological?
A: It's a choice.

Q: I don't know if you understand the question. Do you think a homosexual is born that way, or do you think that around seventh grade we go, "Ooh, I want to be gay"?

A: Well, I'm not a scientist. I don't see this as an issue of science or definition. I see gays and lesbians as people as a matter of human decency. I don't like to categorize people. I don't like to answer definitions like that, that perhaps are grounded in science or something else that I don't understand.

Q: Well, it's hard when you are a citizen of a country that tells you that you are making a choice when you were born that way.

A: As a Hispanic, I grew up with people thinking because of my darker skin and because I wasn't fully speaking English at a time, that I was not equal. So I understand that issue of inequality, and so across the board I've always felt that every human being desires the same rights.

Source: 2007 HRC/LOGO debate on gay issues Aug 9, 2007

Full civil unions with full marriage rights
Q: Would you allow us, , to be married to each other?
KUCINICH: Yes. Gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender should have the same rights as anyone else, including a civil marriage ceremony.

Q: : You supported the Defense of Marriage Act.

DODD: ought to have civil unions. But I believe marriage is between a man and a woman.

RICHARDSON: I would do what is achievable. What I think is achievable is full civil unions with full marriage rights. I would also press for a hate crimes act in the Congress. I would eliminate "don't ask/don't tell" in the military. If we're going to have in our military men & women that die for this country, we shouldn't give them a lecture on their sexual orientation I would push for domestic partnership laws, nondiscrimination in insurance and housing. I would also send a very strong message that, in my administration, I will not tolerate any discrimination on the basis of race, gender, or sexual orientation.

Source: 2007 YouTube Democratic Primary debate, Charleston SC Jul 23, 2007

Diversity isn't just talking points; it's facts of life
Q: Is race still the most intractable issue in America?
A: Leading on the issues of race is about being authentic, about speaking honestly. Race is a major issue in this country, and the next president has to talk about it. Race is not just passing new laws. Race is not just naming solid Supreme Court justices. Race is also dealing with bigotry and racism that exists in this country.

And I believe very strongly that the next president is not just going to have to pass laws and take the steps necessary to reaffirm affirmative action and take steps to make sure that our schools are integrated, but also the next president is going have to lead and speak passionately about a dialogue among all people.

And I believe very strongly that issues of diversity, for me, the first Latino to run for president, aren't talking points; they're facts of life.

Source: 2007 Democratic Primary Debate at Howard University Jun 28, 2007

For hate crimes law, domestic partnerships, civil unions
Here's what I would do. I would do what I did as governor of New Mexico. One, I would move in the Congress for a hate crimes law. I would have domestic partnerships. I would have civil unions. I would initiate laws that practice non-discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. I would get rid of "don't ask, don't tell." I voted against it as a congressman.
Source: 2007 Dem. debate at Saint Anselm College Jun 3, 2007

Let gay and lesbian servicemembers serve openly
In Richardson's first term as Governor, he threatened to veto a New Mexico DOMA-type law, unless it was enacted alongside civil unions. (It was never necessary.) He is also for letting gay and lesbian servicemembers serve openly in our Armed Forces, and said so during the "Don't Ask/Don't Tell" debates in the 90's. He extended civil rights laws to homosexuals and transgendered people while Governor of New Mexico.
Source: Campaign blog www.BillRichardsonBlog.com Jan 28, 2007

Added sexual orientation & gender identity as NM civil right
You don't get better than Richardson on gay issues, and again he's not just talking the talk; he's walked the walk. In his first term as governor, he led the state from nowhere to being ranked among the best in the nation on gay rights protections:
He signed legislation expanding New Mexico civil rights laws to include sexual orientation and gender identity (which only 3 other states included).
He signed a hate crimes law that included actual or perceived sexual orientation and gender identity.
He signed an executive order in 2003 extending health insurance and other benefits to the same-sex domestic partners of NM state employees.
He's on record backing full-fledged civil unions and opposes state-level constitutional amendments banning gays from marrying.
While in Congress, Richardson backed military service for out gay men and lesbians. That means he was anti-Don't Ask, Don't Tell when it was very uncool to be.
Source: CitizenChris blog on TypePad.com Jan 21, 2007

Defeated DOMA in NM by tying it to civil union legislation
Richardson's negotiation savvy the difficult issue of marriage equality for same-sex couples. Richardson opposes gay marriage, but when the New Mexico legislature began pushing a "Defense of Marriage Act" in 2005, Richardson said he would veto it unless the DOMA was enacted alongside civil union legislation. Richardson's position wasn't just expedient, it was fairly principled and would satisfy any but those with a gay marriage litmus test. The DOMA effort failed.
Source: CitizenChris blog on TypePad.com Jan 21, 2007

Voted for federal Defense of Marriage Act in 1996
Richardson's record isn't unblemished. He voted for the Defense of Marriage Act in 1996, and I couldn't find any statement since recanting that support. Even with such an impressive record on other gay issues, Richardson will need to explain his position on DOMA to gay Democrats.
Source: CitizenChris blog on TypePad.com Jan 21, 2007
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thanks for reading this far down!
To read what his official site has to say:
www.billrichardson.com