Explore Candidates → President → Ralph Nader on Gay Rights
Ralph Nader
on
Gay Rights
- Abortion and Birth Control
- Civil Liberties and Domestic Security
- Crime and Punishment
- Education
- Environment and Energy
- Gay Rights
- Government and Elections
- Gun Control
- Health Care
- Immigration
- Internet and Media
- Iraq and Foreign Policy
- Medical Marijuana and Drug Policy
- Religion and Public Life
- Science
- Social Security
- Taxes and Budget
- Trade and Economics
The Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest gay rights group, has urged voters to back Gore. The HRC’s director asserts that votes for Nader could tip the election to Bush, saying, “If Nader’s candidacy causes Bush to win, his conservative Supreme Court appointees could put the prospect of gay and lesbian equality in jeopardy.” The organization made the appeal even though Nader supports legalizing marriage for gays and lesbians while Gore and Bush do not.
San Francisco Examiner Nov 2, 2000, by Eric Rosenberg
Nader has not only come out for same-sex marriage--a basic civil right--but he is for ending legal discrimination against gays and lesbians that allows employers to fire someone for their sexual orientation in 36 states.
Q: "Are you in favor of civil unions for gay couples and should a foreign spouse be given a green card to join his gay partner in the US?" A: "My view on this is equal rights, equal responsibilities for gay and lesbian people. That would cover all issues."
Nader-Buchanan debate on ‘Meet the Press’ Oct 1, 2000
Emailed response from the Nader campaign's communications director on Oct. 18, 2008: Ralph Nader supports civil unions.
Q: Does the state have a right to say that only heterosexuals can be married? A: "I think homosexuals have the right of civil union. There are economic reasons for that and there are humanitarian reasons for that, and I think the Vermont decision is a good one, and I think homosexuals should be given equal rights and equal responsibilities."
Interview on ‘Meet the Press’ May 7, 2000
"We've got to get rid of this discrimination, this chilling, this bigotry toward gays and lesbians that are reflected in literally hundreds and hundreds of statutes and regulations in this country."
NPR, "Justice Talking" Dean-Nader Debate Jul 9, 2004
Nader has not only come out for same-sex marriage--a basic civil right--but he is for ending legal discrimination against gays and lesbians that allows employers to fire someone for their sexual orientation in 36 states.
Q: Do you support the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy on gays in the military? NADER: "No I do not. The current system is discriminatory against homosexuals who wish to serve their country. All members of our society should have equal rights and responsibilities. Gays have served in all military branches in numerous foreign countries and, truth be told, have given their lives serving in the U.S. armed services throughout American history."
Associated Press, Sep 6, 2000
In 2000, favored allowing gay men and women to serve openly in military