Voter Guide: Obama and Romney on the Issues
It’s Election Day in America and with millions heading to the polls to cast their ballot for president it’s worth taking a look at where President Barack Obama and Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney stand on LGBT issues. Here’s an excerpt from our presidential voter guide.
MARRIAGE EQUALITY
Obama: First president to openly endorse the right to marry for same-sex couples. Endorses marriage-equality ballot measures in Maryland, Maine and Washington. Opposes proposed Minnesota constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage.
Romney: Believes marriage should be between a man and a woman. Fought against marriage equality as governor of Massachusetts.
DADT REPEAL
Obama: Repealed the military’s 16-year-old ban on out service by gays, lesbians and bisexuals. Has not indicated if he supports an end to the ban on transgender servicemembers.
Romney: Opposed the repeal of DADT. Has not indicated if he would work to overturn the repeal as president.
FEDERAL MARRIAGE AMENDMENT
Obama: Opposes amending the Constitution to ban same-sex marriage.
Romney: Supports amending the Constitution to ban same-sex marriage.
ENDA
Obama: Supports and would sign the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, which, in its latest iteration, would forbid employers from discriminating against employees on the basis of either their sexual orientation or gender identity.
Romney: Supported ENDA in 1994, but now says ENDA would hurt employers. Says workplace nondiscrimination laws should be instituted at the state level.
DOMA
Obama: Declared the federal ban on recognizing same-sex marriages unconstitutional and ordered the Justice Department to stop defending the law in court.
Romney: Supports the Defense of Marriage Act.
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