Gay rights are civil rights.

[yardwork]

LGBTQ people deserve the same civil rights as straight people. I'm sad that this is even a question but apparently it is again for some people.

As a lesbian, I will be blunt. If a candidate doesn't think that I deserve the same rights as straight people, then they don't have my support. Period.

If you try to bully or intimidate me into agreeing that my rights are lesser, I WILL get mad.

I think that DUers know that I'm a strong supporter of human rights for everybody. This is not a zero sum game. We stand together, united, and that's where our strength lies. I will NEVER agree with separating some minorities from others or creating separate, lesser categories for some people.

[Eliot Rosewater]

1. Yes they are..

And if voting for an ANTI gay democrat gives the house or senate CONTROL, voting FOR that anti gay person gives all minorities tremendous power and help.

Not supporting any NUMBER i.e. seat or candidate with a D after their name means R wins.

primaries are different

If you want Nancy or Chuck to be in charge, not Mitch or Paul, the ONLY way to get there is MATH, numbers, no matter the individuals attitude about anything.

[NurseJackie]

2. Maths is important.

[Eliot Rosewater]

7. Actually it is everything. Your choice is an anti gay democrat or a republican which gives

republican party control.

I shouldnt even have to make this point, let alone argue about it.

But, the BASICS of a TWO party system escape some.

ONE more republican means a RIGHTWING supreme court like we have now, it only takes ONE...and we know what this SC is about to do to gay and women's rights.

NOT COMPLICATED

[LexVegas]

3. Which anti-gay or racist Democrat did you vote for?

[Eliot Rosewater]

4. I will ignore this personal attack.

TO others I will repeat the obvious.

IF you had to choose between an anti gay Dem and any R anywhere anytime, and you want to support LGBT rights, you dont walk to the polls to vote for the ANTI gay democrat, you RUN!

I assume people understand math, maybe not everybody.

[LexVegas]

6. Which one are you saying people should support?

Name the anti-gay or racist Democrat we should be supporting.

[George II]

9. Thankfully where I live I won't be faced with the prospect of voting against a Democrat who...

...is against ANY of the many civil, inalienable rights people have.

It would be a tough decision in some (hopefully not many) districts. I'm sure there are some but I can't think of a Democrat in the House or Senate who doesn't agree that gay rights are civil rights.

[Eliot Rosewater]

10. I dont know of any either. But there are some anti women's rights dems out there

but if the choice is them or any R...the answer is OBVIOUS.

But for the answer to be obvious one needs to look at math first.

[yardwork]

12. Absolutely. I agree completely.

However, the choice for leadership within the House can and should hinge on (1) proven leadership skills and (2) general agreement with the principles of the Democratic platform.

[niyad]

5. YES THEY ARE--and this straight, old, white woman, stands with my sisters and brothers.

ANYBODY who says that gay rights, or women's rights, are negotiable, I don't give a damn WHAT letter is after the name, is a POS as far as I am concerned.

[SWBTATTReg]

8. All of us are equal. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. After all, the constitution does ...

start w/ the words 'we the people'.

[qwlauren35]

11. I think it's important

to define what issues are important to the LGBTQ community, and especially note that gay issues, lesbian issues and trans issues are often very different.

In my mind for example, African-American issues and LGBTQ issues are very different - in general, you cannot spot someone who is LGBTQ coming down the street, or driving in a car, or shopping in a grocery store... or trying to vote.

If we can have a discussion about the issues, and the priorities, it is easier to be a voice in your court.

Something as general as "human rights" and "civil rights" is lofty and nice, but not as good as something concrete.

Now I should add, when it comes to people/politicians who are anti-LGBTQ, they tend to stick out by their words and votes. But to move forward, to win health-care rights, to stop employment discrimination, all of us need to know what to fight for.

[yardwork]

13. I'm far from a one-issue voter.

I believe in human rights for all.

[Behind the Aegis]

14. Oh noes. Did we not get our pony?

We are asking too much again, aren't we? I mean how dare we ask, or demand, to be treated as equals! It was our selfishness in wanting marriage equality that cost the democrats the election, don'tcha know. We need to sit down and shut up, until our votes, money, or activism for others is needed. At least that is how it has been 'splained to me, via "some of their best friends"!

It is fact people don't realize that it is LEGAL to discriminate against LGBT people in employment and housing in several states, and at the federal level. It is also fact people don't realize their are a host of new bills from a variety of states limiting or erasing LGBT rights and/or identities. Oh hey, should I mention the number of politicians that are openly homophobic? Oh that's right, they are all "secret homos" themselves.

We know who are real allies are because they rarely play the victim, they rarely tell us to "calm down", they rarely demand we ignore our own concerns.

[Small-Axe]

15. I stand with you.