Kirsten Gillibrand, Gov. Paterson’s pick to replace Hillary Clinton, supports marriage equality
January 23, 2009
From Ben Smith's blog at Politico:
***UPDATE - 11:10 AM*** There has been some discussion about Kirsten Gillibrand's stance on Don’t Ask Don’t Tell and additional LGBT issues. In particular, we’d like to clarify references to the Human Rights Campaign Scorecard for the 110th Congress. Although Kirsten Gillibrand did not co-sponsor legislation to repeal DADT, her decision does not mean that Gillibrand supports the policy or would oppose the repeal. In fact, in recent conversations with Kirsten Gillibrand’s office the Human Rights Campaign has confirmed Gillibrand is in favor of repealing Don’t Ask Don’t Tell and supports full marriage equality for gay and lesbian couples. Additionally, HRC confirmed with Gillibrand’s staff additional points regarding her LGBT record:David Paterson's choice of Kristin Gillibrand is, by the estimate of the New York pols I talk to, a pretty good pick: A young woman who won a hard-fought, bruising upset in a Republican district in 2006 and held her seat with unexpected ease last year. She has a "moderate" reputation for her pro-gun stance -- but is more or less a down-the-line liberal Democrat; the gun position draws her some flack on her left flank to the same degree that it protects her right and strengthens her upstate. But she assured the state's leading gay rights group yesterday that she backs same-sex marriage, and shows no other conservative leanings. Paterson explained the logic behind his choice a few days ago: "My job is not to pick the person who is popular today," he said. "It's the person who is going to be popular in 2010, when they run for re-election."
- Supports marriage equality
- Cosponsored and voted in favor of the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act
- Cosponsored inclusive Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) and supports enactment of inclusive bill
- Voted in favor of ENDA
- Supports repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell
- Supports repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act
- Supports equal tax treatment of employer provided domestic partnership benefits
- Voted against allowing discrimination in hiring for the Head Start program
- Voted in favor of allowing Washington, DC to fund needle exchange programs with local funds
- Supports the Early Treatment of HIV/AIDS Act (ETHA) to allow states to provide Medicaid coverage for HIV-positive persons
- Voted against procedural attempts to derail ENDA and hate crimes
- Endorsed by HRC PAC in 2008
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