We have to understand that Hillary Clinton may not have been a proponent of same-sex marriage until 2013 but she’s been doing a lot of things in support of the community prior to her complete change of heart. Hillary’s position about marriage equality was aptly pointed by Mark Joseph Stern with his slate.com article stating,

“…when it comes to gay rights, there are two Hillary Clintons: Clinton the politician, a cautious moderate, and Clinton the person, who of course supports civil rights for gays. I’m not quite sure that dichotomy holds up to scrutiny. It was, after all, Clinton the person who wrote that she “disagree[d]” with a tiny paperwork revision to accommodate same-sex parents. And it was Clinton the politician who told the United Nations that “gay rights are human rights” in 2011—shortly before the passport kerfuffle.”

Speaking of ‘gay rights are human rights’ which seems to be one of the prevailing slogan by the Clinton campaign, you may all remember her historic speech in Geneva, Switzerland  when she claimed that,

“Using religion to justify homophobia was “not unlike the justification offered for violent practices towards women like honor killings, widow burning, or female genital mutilation. Some people still defend those practices as part of a cultural tradition. But violence toward women isn’t cultural; it’s criminal.”

Not only does she support the community in America, but globally she stated:

“To LGBT men and women worldwide, let me say this: Wherever you live and whatever the circumstances of your life, whether you are connected to a network of support or feel isolated and vulnerable, please know that you are not alone.”

“People around the globe are working hard to support you and to bring an end to the injustices and dangers you face. That is certainly true for my country. And you have an ally in the United States of America and you have millions of friends among the American people.”

A lot of us in the community may not know about then Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s revision on giving gay US diplomats equal benefits that their heterosexual counterparts enjoy in 2009.

“Clinton says regulations that denied same-sex couples and their families the same rights and privileges that straight diplomats enjoyed are “unfair and must end,” as they harm U.S. diplomacy.”

And in 2015, she valiantly expressed her support for the “Equality Act which will mean full federal equality of LGBT Americans and stronger anti-discrimination protections for everyone,”  making this a priority of her presidency.

The above mentioned are just few of the things she did towards the betterment of our community.

I guess what I’m saying is that let’s all be fair. Stop crucifying her just because you are voting for Bernie Sanders. Making it look like she didn’t do anything for our community isn’t just right. Mr. Sanders has supported the community all throughout his career but he’s not exactly a pioneer of LGBT rights.

“When serving as mayor of Burlington, Sanders told an interviewer that LGBT rights were not a “major priority” for him. Asked if he would support a bill to protect gays from job discrimination, Sanders responded, “probably not.” That was more than 25 years ago. Sanders has, no doubt, come a long way since then: The senator endorsed Vermont’s successful Marriage Equality Act in 2009 and has cheered the Supreme Court’s marriage rulings. And he is co-sponsoring the Equality Act, a sweeping federal LGBT rights bill that advocacy groups place high on their post-marriage agenda. “

My point is, will he be putting enough priority to our causes if he claimed the highest seat in the country?

At least all throughout Hillary’s evolution into supporting the LGBT community, we’ve heard words put into action and with that – we know that we’ll retain whatever rights we rightfully deserved in the first place with the hope that as the first woman president of the most powerful country in the world gets elected, our community will also be part of the progression with total equal rights as everyone.

To support Hillary, you can chip in $1 or more and help her win this nomination. Go to:

hillaryclinton.com 

And of course, don’t forget to vote and spread the word.

 by O + A