HRC Lauds Selection of Sen. John Edwards as Running Mate

'Senator Edwards is steadfast in his support of our community,' said HRC President Cheryl Jacques.

WASHINGTON - The Human Rights Campaign today lauded Sen. John Kerry's selection of Sen. John Edwards, D-N.C., as his running mate in the presidential campaign. Sen. Edwards has a strong record of support for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender equality.

"Senator Edwards is steadfast in his support of our community," said HRC President Cheryl Jacques. "From co-sponsorship of key legislation to opposing anti-GLBT adoption policies, Sen. Edwards has demonstrated leadership on our issues in Congress. And just like Sen. Kerry, he is firmly and vocally opposed to the Federal Marriage Amendment."

Sen. Edwards has a great record on GLBT issues. He:

is firmly opposed to the Federal Marriage Amendment

co-sponsored and has thrice voted for the Local Law Enforcement Enhancement Act, which would add sexual orientation, gender and disability to existing federal hate crimes law

is a co-sponsor of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, which would prohibit discrimination in the workplace based on sexual orientation

believes that family courts should decide adoptions on a case-by-case basis and not by banning adoption by same-sex couples

supports the Early Treatment for HIV Act and supports full funding for science-based HIV prevention programs and the Ryan White CARE Act

supports the Domestic Partnership Benefits and Obligations Act and

opposes "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," saying, "As the recent discharge of Arabic language specialists demonstrates, the current policy does not serve our national security interests and should be changed." (Several Arabic linguists and Korean linguists from the Army's Defense Language Institute were discharged for being gay in a highly publicized case in the fall of 2002.)

"While we are disappointed that Senator Edwards does not stand with us on the issue of marriage, he opposes using the Constitution to discriminate," added Jacques. "We know that Senator Kerry and Senator Edwards will bring new leadership to this country and continue to fight for issues of importance to the GLBT community."

The Human Rights Campaign is the largest national lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender political organization with members throughout the country. It effectively lobbies Congress, provides campaign support and educates the public to ensure that LGBT Americans can be open, honest and safe at home, at work and in the community.