LGBTQ Issues Not Mentioned in Presidential Debates

Presidential debates, while filled with talk of policies and jabs against the opposing candidate, neglected to mention the words gay and lesbian, and also failed to discuss LGBTQ related issues. With only a brief mention from President Obama about “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” in the first debate, marriage equality, hate crime legislation, and equal employment opportunities were absent from any discussions.

The Advocate critizes the questions of last nights debate on foreign policy, saying that, “The candidates weren’t asked whether they support tying foreign aid to support for human rights, including equality for LGBT people whose relationships remain criminal in many parts of the world.” Mitt Romney, of course, said he would be a champion for human rights. President Obama made specific points for equality for women and religious minorities in the Middle East. But anything specific about the LGBTQ community… non-existent.

But the Washington Post, in an editorial, saw the lack of discussion around LGBT releated issues in the debates as a positive. Although the writer, Jonathan Capehart, understands there are plenty of issues facing LGBTQ Americans, he values that neither party is using the gay community as a wedge to get votes.

What do you think? What message are the candidates sending by neglecting to talk about the LGBTQ community?

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Image Flickr Barack Obama