Candidates' Antigay Stances  | Poll Results | Advocate.com

||   Candidates' Antigay Stances   ||
Results for the following question: Are the candidates' antigay stances genuine or a ploy to get votes?

Genuine
 32.1%

A ploy
 55.3%

Undecided
 12.6%

Total Votes: 532

Comments:
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Richard Thomas
Anyone who doesn't believe that the Republican agenda is not and always will be anti-GBLT rights and equality has not learned much in the past nearly 7 years.

Travis Colten Yocom
The Republican field is pretty united in their hatred of gays and their opposition to giving us any rights or protections at all. The Democrats are more or less hobbled by the idiotic impression that supporting fairness for gays equals losing votes. This is why I call them Weakocrats, they cave to the Right on almost every issue. I wish they'd just be honest with us, tell us that they would love to help, but this is a str8 tyranny that wishes we didn't exist. I have often wondered what a post-liberation world would look like; you know, we're all equal, we're all at peace and one's sexual orientation is no longer a reason for the auto-hate that some of the str8s engage in. I would love if we could go back, as Americans, to fighting over the defense budget or airline security or farm bills, not how the homos are corrupting society, bringing God's anger on America. Maybe this is what the political parties are afraid of: after the queers are happy, they would have to deal with issues that have no easy answers. Sometimes I wonder if we will ever win anything--fighting in a circle is brave, but ulimately futile. Watching Hillary's campaign has been torture in a way: I am elated a woman is running, but dismayed by the reaction some women are taking to her. I think about the parallel: what if one of the presidential candidates was openly gay? How would his/her phobic rivals deal with that? I honestly don't know what would happen-in the campaign or the nation if a gay person ran for president. But if he or she won, then that would be the only way we'll ever get what's fair in terms of the right simply to be.

Anonymous
Only a few are personally antigay. They know, that go get the votes of social conservatives they must seem antigay and "pro-family." Same old political posturing. If social conservatives suddenly decided to embrace tolerance, they would support that.

Paul Foster
If their straight, usually not always they'll promise you the world, then once their in office it's one excuse or another. Democrats are usually the way to go , cause of their liberal stance. Where as the VERY fucked up religious fear mongoing republicans you can forget it. The log cabin republicans are a big joke. Don't you get it "THEY DON'T LIKE YOU". Know matter how preppy you dress or how "conservative" you are.

bobg
Whether it's genuine homophobia, or pandering, it's the equally inhumane. Hurting someone out of anger or to gain acceptance is neverless hurting someone. I doesn't matter the reason.

Anonymous
Hillary is no friend to the Gay community. Beware! Remember her husband and his Defense of Marriage Act and Don't ask, Don't Tell.

Steve H
If it's a ploy, it's even more reprehensible. For cryin' out loud, let's hold the candidates liable for what they say, when we vote!

Anonymous
Who knows what to believe anymore from politicians, they are like salesmen of any sort, once their in, then you and your needs and wants are completely forgotten "oh, I never promised that" or they turn it all around some other way. All they are really interested in is the money and the power. "Be damned you, little person you, be damned you, I am way too important for the likes of you".

Cecil
All too many of them are genuinely anti-gay. I would like to think that "Rudy G" has merely taken a stance to get on the republican ticket, but I'm not so sure it is merely a ploy. Yes I have heard that he even lived with a gay couple after one of his divorces, and that he has done drag for the fun of it. But so many other of the Republican candidates seem all too genuine.

Anonymous
Politicians are insincere, self-serving sociopaths.

Greg
Giuliani will say or do anything to keep his name in the newspapers. The other Republicans truly despise us.

Anonymous
Republicans are hateful. Period. The Democrats are cowards. Period.

Michael Guilford
I think there is a mixture of some really mis-educated people, including some politicians, who buy into such foolishness as "gay by choice". But for the most part, even rabid right wingers use emotionally charged issues such as abortion and gay civil rights to win votes from other mis-educated or just mean people knowing the truth.

Anonymous
I need another choice - both. For some candidates, it is a ploy; for others it is genuine. One size does not fit all here...

JTR
It depends on which candidate you're speaking of. Our so-called friends in the Democratic Party take our votes for granted. I have no doubt that if Hillary Clinton is elected, she'll throw us over in a heartbeat. Of all the candidates running for the Dems, she's the most disingenuous, and has already been caught several times talking out of both sides of her mouth.

Michael
Depends on the candidate mostly, but I'm convinced that Romney and Thompson are anything but for us. Edwards, that's a toss up. The rest I'm not certain of yet.

A. Mauck
Does it really matter? NO - it doesn't. They're all bastards.

Tommy - Perrysburg OH
The proof will be in the results, that is their ability to get gay afirmative legislation through congress.

Roger
In some respects it can be considered a ploy, pandering to groups whose support is considered by the candidates to be essential. Notwithstanding, if you're not with us; you're against us. Any ambiguity must be taken as opposition to us. How the Log Cabin Republicans can any longer consider themselves relevant is a complete enigma.

lori p
they will say whatever yhey need to to get votes.

Bob Peacock
When you hear the Candidates speak on LGBT issues on their tours or answer questions put to them by moderators of debates, you can see how uncomfortable they are with the questions and almost not wanting to speak from their notes. They just wish we/it (the issues) would go away. I believe that with possibly the exception of Barack Obama, who has been consistent in his statements on LGBT issues, the rest of the Candidates genuinely want us to just go away. Of course we get the platitudes from some including Hillary and poor John Boy Edwards doesn't know what to think, I believe that he is the most uncomfortable with the issue, but I hope and believe that he is trying to understand at least some of the issues. I just hope that the Community gets to ask the Candidates more questions and to demand proper answers and not just the pat answers that are usually given.

ADAM A KARU
YES PLOY!! Religions, and Republican are the enemy, KNOW THEM!!

Anonymous
nothing surprises me esp in politics why sweat the gay stuff, unless you have your own issues with it

Anonymous
Some are genuine while others are just a ploy

Anonymous
Every one of the Republican candidates who has any chance of being nominated would vote for same-sex marriage tomorrow if their pollsters told them it would help them win.

Anonymous
Some of each, perhaps, but surely these jerks have been around the block. All politicians want to win: they just calculate their best chances. The unfortunate side-implication is that our "friends" are similarly calculating, and may blow with the wind just as badly.

Buzz
I never think that hate is a ploy. An anti-gay stance by any candidate is ab indication of genuine homophobia. I do realize that it would not be politically expediant for a candidate to endorse gay marriage. However, when their stance encompasses a core belief that gays are somehow inferior and damed to hell, it is genuine. As long as homophobia is embraced as a core value, those who advocate it will be politically correct in their beliefs. Ignorance breeds ignorance. We must believe that homophobic statements coming from any canidates mouth represents that persons perception.

Kirsten Cummins
It depends on the candidate, really. Some truly fighten me. Others, I think they are just trying to get votes.

Randy
I find it unbelievable for the new presidential candidates to even consider themselves a part of the race for homosexual equality. I, in my opinion, think that they are all in this for the votes. They have yet to do much about homosexuality in the last few years, but now... not they see that the gay vote out there actually makes a difference. That we have a voice. So with their false pretenses... they are trying to just get our votes.

Amber
anyone of sound mind in today's society having the idea of picking out any certain minority for votes of another group has to be genuine, to offend and discriminate a group that is hardly a minority anymore you're asking for trouble. Next thing you know candidates are going to be exploiting race issues again....

rick
C'mon, they're politicians!

Jerry S.
100% ploy. Whether Democrat or Republican candidate, gays are fair game. Some of the biggest outrages have come from our Democratic Party "friends". Remember "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"? That policy has resulted in some of the biggest witchhunts in the history of our military.

skeptic
Isn't EVERYTHING a politician does a ploy?

Anonymous
Does it matter? Either they're homophobic, or they're liars who are using others' hmophobia to get ahead.

Anonymous
Mitt Romney. 'Nuff said.

Anonymous
Duh, sorry to be so cynical but it's obvious that a vote at any cost is well worth crucifying an innocent minority.

steve rosenthal
When the Republicans spout hated for any group, especially the LBGT community, you can believe it is totally genuine. These are people that have been taken over by the rligious right. It is obvious that the Bush Assministrtion fully believes in trating our segment of sosciety as less then full citizens. For the president to state that this in an unneeded law because other laws take care of the prolem is ludicrous and just plan ingnorant of the situaions in the real world, Again bush has stated that ENDA is a specialized legislaion to appese a small goup of people. Does he forget the laws passed protecting rights for Blacks or Asians. or the Irish , etc were once looked ar as a speicl bill? It has ben the Repulicans hiolding back the civil rights granted to, what should be, to all Americans. To cause so much hardship to so many people, these actions have to be piously genuine in thier minds.

Kevin Rues
I selected undecided because some sincerely hate us, others like Brownback are totally Vatican brainwashed, hence, sincere, and others are lying sacks of crap who will tell any lie to get elected.

Anonymous
I am undecided. It depends on whose votes they are trying to get. Are they trying to get the South? Northeast? It varies considerably.

Anonymous
I think that the anti-gay stances pander to voters in most cases, but that some are genuine. It's hard to lump all the candidates into a single "genuine" or "ploy" box.

Pedro A. Romanach
It depends on the candidate and on the stance. Some are sincere. Others are ploys. Either way, the Republican Party has become a captive of its Moral Majority wing, and this is truly a shame. I wish the Log Cabin Republicans much luck in trying to take the GOP back.

Bob Green
Republicans only lie when their lips are moving.

Anonymous
Whether it's a ploy or not, they certainly won't get my vote!

Jim Guinnessey
Of course they are ploys. The GOP presidential candidates are shameless in pandering to their respective audiences. Romney, Thompson and especially Guiliani are despicable with their anti-Gay words and positions-all phoney of course. If these phonies substituted the words "Jew," "African American" or "Latino" instead of "gay" every time they tried to attack a minority group their asses would have been kicked out long ago. Shame on other minorities, too, who approve what with these lying politicians spew forth whenever they think it gains them a bigot's vote.!

Anonymous
They're completely genuine... they hate who they really are. Have you seen how many Republican elected officials have gotten caught up in gay sex stings? It's ridiculous & it's proof that they hate us, because they hate themselves.

Barbara
I think they run the full gamut from those who, despite their own personal inclusive circle of friends, cynically claim to be anti-gay rights to court right wing voters to those who really believe the rhetoric. I often find it difficult to distinguish one from the other.

Stan
I believe there are four types of politicians when it comes to this issue. Those that are narrow minded bigots who truly hate us and fight progress based on some religious fetish.. Those that are self-serving opportunists with a huge moral deficit and use anti-gay bias as political pandering. Those that avoid the topic at all costs. And, those that are true progressives that work hard for equality such as Jim McDermott D-WA.

Matt
Most Republican candidates are saying things they know are untrue just to whip up their conservative base and get elected. So their antigay stances are a ploy. Make no mistake, though. If they're elected, the harm they'll do to us will be very, very real.

John T. Doyle
Hating me is bad. Just pretending to hate me in order to get votes is even worse. Really scummy. A pox on both their houses. But the worst of all are the politicians who pretend to like me in order to get my vote and then do NOTHING for me. They're the scummiest of all.

Anonymous
Too broad a question. Romney is genuine even though he's a hypocrite from election to election. Many are wlaking a middle line trying to pull from both sides. No matter what we do need a Democrat to win the Presidency as well as both houses of Congress for us to continue with any progress.

Anonymous
Too broad a question. Romney is genuine even though he's a hypocrite from election to election. Many are wlaking a middle line trying to pull from both sides. No matter what we do need a Democrat to win the Presidency as well as both houses of Congress for us to continue with any progress.

Anonymous
Too broad a question. Romney is genuine even though he's a hypocrite from election to election. Many are wlaking a middle line trying to pull from both sides. No matter what we do need a Democrat to win the Presidency as well as both houses of Congress for us to continue with any progress.

Anonymous
Too broad a question. Romney is genuine even though he's a hypocrite from election to election. Many are wlaking a middle line trying to pull from both sides. No matter what we do need a Democrat to win the Presidency as well as both houses of Congress for us to continue with any progress.

Doug Johnson
We've seen too much hypocrisy to believe that they won't decry the very acts they've secretly practiced for years.

Jim Casella
I think it's a little of both. Some, perhaps all are binafide members of the Church of the Poisoned Minds. Therefore think anyone different from them is damned. Then there are those that don't really give a damn about GLBT people but use us as a whipping post to gain votes from the willfully ignorant and terminally hateful. Hopefully this hatefull line of thought will blow up in the neo-cons faces and 2008 and usher in a glorious reign of free thinking people that really care about each other. Then again, maybe not, but I can always hope! :)

Eric
I have a hard time believing that polititians really care about gay issues. But they must take a stand with their party (or with popular opinion) to get the money and support needed to get elected. I hope someday, at least in my lifetime, honesty will prevail and even Dick Cheney can publically support his lesbian daughter's right to full equality in this great country.

Anonymous
I believe the majority of the candidates will say and do anything to get votes from various groups.

Clyde Harrelson
Some are genuinely ignorant about GLBT people, sincerely beliving that it's a "lifestyle" choice and consequently a "sin." Others are intelligent enough to know that homosexuality and other-gender identity are not "choices" but God-given characteristics, BUT they don't want to express that to the ignorant masses. They feel that it would be political suicide to affirm the rights of GLBT citizens. To them -- probably the majority of the candidates -- antigay stances are simply a ploy.

Anonymous
At this point in time, gays are expendable. That's why states can get away with violating their Constitutional rights by dictating who they can and cannot marry or whether or not they can work or whatever.

Peabody
When it came to Bush it definately was a ploy to get the far right vote. For after he was elected he kind of softened his stance. But I still DO NOT like him no matter how soft he his!

Nicole & Cindy Thompson
In this day and age, politicians pander to whatever groups and their respective dollars it takes to get themselves elected. Sadly, political offices and the races to attain them are all about financing. The one with the most finance wins--whatever it takes to get those dollars--principles, rights, integrity, and justice be damned.

J. Hallenbeck
It is a sad commentary on American culture that at the dawn of the 21st century, politicians can gain credibility by demonizing a large segment of the population. Hitler had the Jews, Stalin had the peasantry and the republicans have us!! Apparently hate = votes in this very christian nation.

Michael W.
Have any canidates ever not used ploys to get elected?

Anonymous
Most people are still ignorant to the fact that gays and lesbians are loving, committed couples just like their heterosexual counterparts. Until people understand that loving a person of the same gender is not some psychological flaw , then the public's attitude will never change and the politicians are more interested in getting elected than having equality for all Amerians.

Anonymous
Just look at how many of them are getting caught with their pants down....literally!

Calder Falk
I think they're both. I believe most of the democratic candidates are still uncomfortable with homosexuality up close and they also don't want to alienate the mainstream. In my mind, they are truly homophobic and dishonest. If it was purely a matter of faith, why are they not protesting divorces, Sunday night football, credit card companies, etc? The only consistent democratic candidate is Dennis Kucinich and unfortunately, I don't think he has a chance because he is too lefty and at times, he seems to turn people off with his personality.

Tim
I figure that some candidates (Huckabee, Brownback) are genuinely anti-gay. Others (Romney, McCain and Guiliani -- why doesn't he disavow the Pat Robertson endorsement???) use anti-gay rhetoric as a ploy to establish their own conservative credentials.

george wilbur haegler
iam a demc, and i vote that way no matter what,.

hello
hello, i'm spamilka

Anonymous
The goal of a candidate for office is to obtain votes from multiple constituencies that might, when unified, provide the politician with sufficient money and votes that would allow the politician to win an election. I know because I was an elected official for a number of years. In the Republican party, the candidate tries to gain support of the religious right (which is generally anti-gay), business interests (which generally do not care much), and individuals with large incomes. Thus Romney is gay supportive in Massachusetts and not gay supportive nationally. And Guiliani is gay supportive in New York City, but will not support gay marriage nationally--while getting the support of a prominent religious right figure yesterday. In the Democratic party, the politician tries to get money and votes from unions, business interests, environmental groups, feminist and gay organizations, and indviduals with large incomes. These groups are sometimes gay supportive and sometimes not. Clinton does not support gay marriage and neither does Edwards nor Obama (but both of them tend to be supportive, unless they make occasional missteps--like Obama has done). Quite frankly the idea of being "genuine" or "using a ploy" has nothing to do with the decision-making calculus of politicians. They do what they need to do to get elected. May I suggest a course in Political Science I for the writer of this particular question?

RJLigier
How could you even surmise that the Republican candidates postions are legitimate when then LGBT line and staff of the RNC and RSCC has foisted on its conservative base four social liberals as the top tier candidates? It's bad enough reading articles from liberal Republican shills regarding the LGBT community's sense of entitlement and special treatment of a sexual behaviors based in nueroses.

Brian-Ohio
It does not matter. They are all the same. None on either side really like us fags and lesbians, so don't be a fool and think they do. They do not! I kind of appreciate the conservatives more because at least the are up front and honest in telling us they don't like us. The others just lie because they think it's the right thing to do or for your votes. It is just that simple.

Dave Constantine
While I do believe that most of the candidates who say they are anti-gay are being honest, I do have to admit that most politicians are completely opportunistic. Look at Mitt Romney. I'm amazed that he hasn't become an Evangelical Christian, proposed to elevate Mother Theresa's birthday to a National Holiday and offered up his first born to Satan just to try and get a few more votes.

Rebecca
I think it's a ploy, coming from most politicians. That's why the FMA didn't pass in 2005 despite Republicans being in charge of everything. It's like dangling a carrot in front of a horse to get it to trot. It only works if the horse never gets the carrot. Though there are certainly smaller victories in their favour, so I imagine that most Republicans just don't give a damn about our lives either way, if gets them elected locally. Given Republican's record of ethnicity and race-baiting to get votes, I think it's just the same shit, different pile. Though lately it seems illegal immigration is their big fear-mongering issue, so we may get a "break" as the Republicans cash in on people's fear and loathing of impoverished Hispanics.

Anonymous
What's clear is that none of the GOP candidates are qualified or deserving to be President, with their war-mongering and discrimination stances. Romney's statement sums it up best: "As Republicans, we must oppose discrimination and defend traditional marriage: one man, one woman." Even he can't see the obvious contradiction in making such a statement.

fed up with beuracrats!!
I would'nt trust any breeder beuracrat with my civil rights! All this ENDA trip is is just a sickening ploy to hook in the Gay/Lesbian vote by the NeoCons(democrats). ENDA will NEVER be signed by Bush! Plain and simple! Yet another exercise in futility and the majority of Gays/Lesbians bought into it! Yet ANOTHER ploy to derail our civil rights!

Anonymous
It doesn't matter. An antigay stance is an antigay stance, no matter its purpose.

kaa
I think they're genuine, but also a ploy to get votes.What I find most offensive and objectional about many Republican candidates is how they appeal to and inflame people's bigotry, prejudice and ignorance. It's no coincidence that such calls were made to Republican voters on the eve of the Kentucky governor's election.

Anonymous
If we're talking about a plain republican then I say its a ploy for votes but if its a republican that also tries to stuff his religion down everyones throats then I say its a genuine hatred toward gay people. Republicans say I hate America. I dont hate America, I just hate republicans(gay republicans too!).

Anonymous
A ploy. There is still too much pressure from the anti-gay voters out there for the candidates to feel comfortable outing themselves as gay supporters. A few more years, and hopefully this will be an issue of the past.

Anonymous
all of the above. some are honest about their feelings, others are playing the game to garner votes where they feel they need help.

Rodney
There is a HUGE gay backlash coming - I hope my queer brothers are paying attention. As one who paid his dues in the seventies and 80's, I hope you all are NOT going to put up with it. We have come too far to be put back under the straight man's jack boots. Even here in Key West, the queerest place outside Castro - or used to be, there were people with anti-gay signs picketing at Fantasy Fest! I could not imagine, but it happened. AND the cops took the side of the offenders! Needless to say, I am outraged. Some of you do not know how easy you have it now - we fought and bled for what you enjoy now. Please, please don't let it slip away. Rodney Key West, Fl.

Cindy
My feeling is that most politicians are playing the game. They rarely say what they actually believe. They say what they feel it will take to get them elected.

The Reality Check Is In The Mail
So sad that politicians are the biggest hypocrites on the planet. To continuiosly lie to the public to get to where their ego needs to be to feel fulfilled is a disgrace. I believe for the right # of votes any one of them would trade their souls, their children or even their own mother.

Sooz
The wording of this question is way too narrow. Some candidates are surely genuine in their support of our issues, especially those in districts that are not notably heavy in GLBT constituents. Others in heavily populated GBLT districts may certainly be playing to that base and, therefore, their support of our issues could certainly be up for debate. Considering the fact that we have made gains in support of our issues among the population at large there may be some jumping on the bandwagon. And, certainly those who support us where our issues are not popular would therefore need to be considered genuine in being on our side. The point is, there is hardly a black and white here and such an evaluation would need to be made based on several things and on a candidate by candidate basis. I voted "genuine" here because I would GUESS that those openly supportive of us still do so at some risk, probably far outweighing gain for the most part.

Anonymous
I'm assuming your inarticulately worded question refers to the Republican candidates. The Democratic candidates have all taken rather PRO-Gay stances.

shirleytemplebar
A deluded ploy that fools only the deluded

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