Obama & Romney on LGBT Issues
Presidential voter guide: Marriage, military, employment, hate crimes & more
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.
Obama and Romney at the second Presidential debate
(Photo by Scout Tufankjian for Obama for America)
CIVIL UNIONS
Obama: Supports civil unions with full benefits for same-sex couples.
Romney: Opposes civil unions that guarantee the same rights and benefits as marriage. Believes same-sex couples should have hospital-visitation rights.
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Obama: Repealed the military’s 16-year-old ban on out service by gays, lesbians and bisexuals.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.
BOY SCOUTS GAY BAN
Obama: Opposes the BSA’s ban on out gay members and leaders.
Romney: Opposes the BSA’s ban on out gay members and leaders.
ADOPTION RIGHTS
Obama: Supports the right of same-sex couples to adopt children.
Romney: Does not believe same-sex couples should be barred from adopting children, but has said every child has a right to a mother and father.
HATE CRIMES
Obama: Expanded federal hate-crime statutes to include attacks motivated by the victim’s sexual orientation or gender identity.
Romney: Opposes federal protections for LGBT victims of hate crimes.
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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