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Christopher Dodd on Gay Rights
This candidate has withdrawn from the election
Checked NO in response a Human Rights Campaign questionaire asking if the candidate "Supports allowing civil marriage rights for same-sex couples."
Did not record a vote on the 2006 Marriage Protection Amendment (S.J. Res. 1) that proposed to put a Constitutional ban on same-sex marriage, but said this in a statement on the Senate floor the same day it was voted on: "I would have voted against the... proposed constitutional amendment that would have banned same-sex marriages... Like many of my colleagues who have spoken on this matter, I believe this is a matter that belongs in the States. This is not a matter that ought to be a part of the Constitution."
"I strongly believe that all Americans should have equal rights regardless of their sexual orientation... But marriage is a states issue, and that is one of the reasons I opposed the constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage. I would also support amending the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) to ensure parity for civil unions at the federal level."
Checked YES in response a Human Rights Campaign questionaire asking if the candidate "Supports civil unions for same-sex couples."
"I'm a strong supporter of civil unions and believe it's the right thing to be doing... I do absolutely think [we should change the law to allow for civil unions]."
"...Civil unions ought to be allowed, and supported, and endorsed."
Checked YES in response a Human Rights Campaign questionaire asking if the candidate "Supports repeal of the 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' Policy."
"I believe that 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' prevents people like Marine Staff Sgt. Eric Alva, the first American wounded in the war in Iraq, from being recognized as they should for their heroic acts in defense of our country. Gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender Americans ought to be able to serve in the armed forces without being required to hide part of their identities from their fellow soldiers. We need every skilled person we can get in the armed forces. Excluding people based on their sexual orientation is ludicrous and would run counter to our national security goals."
Checked YES in response a Human Rights Campaign questionaire asking if the candidate "Supports extending federal benefits, rights, privleges and responsibilities to same-sex couples and their children provided the partnership meets certain federal standards of commitment and mutuality of interest."
"How would I want my two daughters treated [if they were gay] in terms of housing, job opportunities, and whether or not they'd be protected against hate crimes and the like... And the answer is I'd like them to be treated equally and fairly."