(no subject)
001. As Governor of Texas, Bush supported a Texas law that allows the state to take adopted children from gay and lesbian couples and place those children with straight couples.
(Source: "Paging Mr. Gore")
002. Bush is on record in the Austin-American Statesman, a local paper in his home state, declaring his support for a Texas sodomy law that made it illegal for two adult men to engage in private, consensual sexual activity. He has referred to the law, which was ruled unconstitutional in 2003 by the Supreme Court, as "a symbolic gesture of traditional values."
(Source: "As 2004 Nears, Bush Pins Slump on Clinton")
003. In a 2000 presidential debate, Bush addressed GLBTQ civil rights: "I'll tolerate people. And I support equal rights, but not special rights for people." This logic extends to his opinion of affirmative action.
(Source: PBS Online News Hour: "The Second Presidential Debate")
004. In 2000, Bush asserted that when it comes to extending equal marriage rights to same-sex couples, "the state can do what they want to do." In 2004, however, President Bush contradicted his original position by proposing the Federal Marriage Amendment, which pushes for a Constitutional amendment that would effectively prohibit states from passing equal marriage legislation as well as bar states from recognizing civil unions for same-sex couples.
(Source: "Federal Marriage Amendment: Will It Help or Hurt Bush?")
005. In 2001, Bush supported the Boy Scouts of America's right to deny gay boys and men membership when at the height of the controversy he made a speech praising the "values" of the organization.
(Source: "US Scouts Shun Gays, Europeans Don't")
006. In 2003, when asked for his views on homosexuality, Bush responded: "Yes, I am mindful that we're all sinners."
(Source: "Bush Wants Marriage Reserved for Heterosexuals")
007. Bush nominated Claude A. Allen to the US Court of Appeals, 4th Circuit. Allen has referred to gay people as "queers" and has said that gay love is "sickening."
(Source: "Judicial Nominees Special Report: Claude A. Allen")
008. Bush nominated William H. Pryor to the US Court of Appeals, 11th Circuit. Pryor has stated that Constitutional rights do not apply to GLBTQ Americans.
(Source: "HRC Strongly Condemns Recess Appointment of William H. Pryor")
009. Bush nominated Jerry Thacker to the Presidential Advisory Commission on HIV and AIDS. Thacker has referred to AIDS as "the gay plague" and has called homosexuality a "deathstyle."
(Source: "AIDS Panel Choice Wrote of 'Gay Plague'")
010. The GOP recently rejected a "unity" plank in its 2004 RNC platform. The "unity" plank, which sought to unify conservative and moderate Republicans, was proposed by the Log Cabin Republicans, Republicans for Choice, and the Republican Youth Majority. "Unity" was rejected, however, and the Republican party platform instead calls for a Constitutional amendment banning equal marriage, explicitly opposes civil unions and domestic partnerships for same-sex couples, and declares that "homosexuality is incompatible with military service."
(Source: Log Cabin Republicans: "An Urgent Plea from Patrick Guerriero")
(Source: Republicans for Choice: "Rejection of Unity Plank Sends Dangerous Message to Fair-Minded Voters")
011. The 2004 Republican National Convention featured Sheri Dew on August 30. In an article about same-sex marriage, Dew called for "a comparison between the atrocities of Hitler and what is happening in terms of contemporary threats against the family."
(Source: "Gay Leaders Call on President to Reject Inflammatory Speakers")
012. The 2004 Republican National Convention featured Donnie McClurkin on September 2. McClurkin has accused gay Americans of "trying to kill our children" and has called homosexuality a "curse."
(Source: "Gay Leaders Call on President to Reject Inflammatory Speakers")
013. The 2004 Republican National Convention featured Bishop Keith Butler on September 2. Bishop Butler has claimed that the "gay lifestyle" "endangers family, children, and the core of society."
(Source: "Gay Leaders Call on President to Reject Inflammatory Speakers")