Herland Sister Resources

The August 9th Los Angeles presidential forum on issues important to gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender Americans showcases the status gay votes and money have earned in the Democratic Party.  The fact that no Republican candidates accepted the invitation illustrates the continued controversy that gay issues cause them.  And two Republican contenders, Romney and Guiliani have pivoted away from their previous stands favoring gay rights as they seek the nomination. 
The Democratic field’s support of gay rights is similar—all the major candidates favor civil unions for gay couples and repeal of the military’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy against openly gay service members.  Surveys suggest gay people have higher incomes than the general population and are more likely to make political contributions. 
Still, the Democrats’ courtship of gay voters only goes so far.  None of the leading Democrats supports gay marriage rights, reflecting fear of an issue Republicans used effectively in 2004 to put them on the defensive and mobilize conservative voters.