DODD STATEMENT ON HRC/LOGO FORUM
For Immediate Release
August 9, 2007
Contact:
Hari Sevugan
Cell - (312) 203-2207
Office - (202) 737-DODD (3633)
Colleen Flanagan
Cell - (202) 744-7290
Office - (202) 737-DODD (3633)
MANCHESTER, NH - Today, Presidential Candidate Chris Dodd released the following statement on the GLBT Forum sponsored by LOGO and the Human Rights Campaign (HRC):
"I am sorry that I cannot attend today's forum - the GLBT community is a very important voice in our national discourse. While I am unable to attend this forum, today's discussion represents an important and historic step for the nation because addressing equal rights and responsibilities for the GLBT community are fundamental to fulfilling America's promise. The process of building a more just society begins with ending discrimination in our laws, our workplaces and our society as a whole.
"While I will not be able to attend the debate in person, I will post my responses to the questions posed in tonight's debate on my website www.chrisdodd.com."
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CHRIS DODD: WORKING TO INCREASE EQUALITY FOR ALL AMERICANS
Chris Dodd believes acceptance, fairness and opportunity are fundamental American values. From his strong support for civil unions and work to extend equal benefits and rights to same-sex couples, Chris Dodd believes we should all approach issues facing the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) community as if they affected our own children and grandchildren. He keeps the issue close to his heart by asking himself "How would I want my two daughters treated if they grew up and had a different sexual orientation than their parents? Good jobs, equal opportunity, to be able to retire, to visit each other, to be with each other, as other people do." From strengthening hate crimes laws to working to help Americans with HIV/AIDS access health care and receive treatment, Chris Dodd has worked to increase equality for all Americans. As President, he will bring that fight to the White House.
THE DODD AGENDA
• Supports Equal Protection Under The Law For Same Sex Couples. Though Chris Dodd was raised to believe that marriage is between a man and a woman, he believes denying same-sex couples the same rights, protections and responsibilities as married couples is unfair. As a parent, Dodd wants his daughters to have the same rights, responsibilities, and protections under the law, regardless of their sexual orientation. As a Senator from Connecticut he is proud that his state is the first state that legalized civil unions without a court order.
• Repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." Chris Dodd stands with Marine Staff Sgt. Eric Alva, the first American wounded in the war in Iraq, in calling for an end to the military "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy banning gay, lesbian and bisexual Americans from serving in the armed forces. He thinks that heroes like Alva should be treated like any other brave soldier who risks his or her life defending freedom and strongly disagrees with General Peter Pace's shameful comments on the morality of homosexuality. He has said "There have been plenty of soldiers who have served in the military who were highly respected and revered and were gay and lesbian. It should be realized that we need every good person in the armed forces we can get, and that the idea of excluding for an orientation is ludicrous."
• Supports Extending Employment Non-Discrimination To Sexual Orientation. Chris Dodd has consistently supported measures that prohibit discrimination in the workplace on the basis of an employee's sexual orientation. He opposes discrimination in any form and will create recourse under federal law for employees who are fired or discriminated against because of their sexual orientation or gender identity.
• Supports Extending Family and Medical Leave Act To Include Same Sex Couples. Chris Dodd authored the Family and Medical Leave Act to ensure that all Americans would be able to care for themselves and their loved ones in times of need. This should not exclude any couple based on sexual orientation. Dodd is working to expand this legislation to include mandatory paid leave for the birth or adoption of a child, a sick family member, or one's own serious illness.
THE DODD RECORD
• Dodd Worked To Combat Hate Crimes. Dodd has worked to make crimes based on a victim's sexual orientation a hate crime by supporting legislation that would expand the definition of hate crimes to include gender, sexual orientation, and disability. As president, he will continue this fight and will work to ensure that gender identity and expression are included as part of hate crimes legislation.
• Dodd Fought To End Discrimination In The Workplace. Dodd cosponsored the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) to combat discrimination in the workplace. This legislation prohibits discrimination in the workplace based on sexual orientation or gender identity. Other bills Dodd cosponsored sought to protect individuals who were unfairly fired and to prohibit employers from coercing or retaliating against such employees. Dodd also voted against the "don't ask, don't tell" policy that banned gays and lesbians from serving openly in the military, and he recently called for the policy to be revoked.
• Dodd Supported Equal Rights For Domestic Partnerships. Dodd supports civil unions and has cosponsored the Domestic Partner Health Benefits Act, which would provide for treatment of domestic partners by designating them as an eligible beneficiary under an employer's health care benefits plan. Dodd also cosponsored the Permanent Partners Immigration Act, which provides same-sex partners of U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents the same immigration benefits legal spouses of U.S. residents enjoy.
Dodd Worked To Help Americans With HIV And AIDS. Dodd was an original co-sponsor of the first Ryan White CARE Act in 1990. This landmark legislation provided health and support services for patients and families dealing with HIV/AIDS. This bill provided emergency relief to major metropolitan areas hit hardest and provided block grants to states to improve the quality, availability, and effectiveness of health care to individuals and families with HIV. It also provided grants for early detection and intervention programs. Dodd is appalled by what this administration has done to HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment programs, its cuts to Ryan White funding, and the adoption of "abstinence only" programs that have repeatedly proved to be ineffective.
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