LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth |
Capital Letters |
by Hastings Wyman |
Hillary-Rudy Race Will Energize Gay Voters This could be next years big one-blonde, articulate and liberal Hillary Clinton versus darkly visaged, anti-crime conservative Rudy Giuliani. A Clinton candidacy would "energize the gay community," says New Yorker Sterling Zinsmeyer of the Stonewall Democrats, adding that the first lady energizes the whole party. Gotham author/columnist Paula Martinac adds that many lesbians "would have rather voted for her than for Billeither time." Clintonlike her husband in 92 is actively seeking gay support; shes addressing (by video) the National Stonewall Democrats convention in Atlanta this month. But New York City Log Cabin President Tim Concannon says Clinton has no record but will have to run "on her husband and his dont ask, dont tell policy." Concannon also cites Giulianis "sweeping domestic partnership" measures for the city. (Democrats say the mayor merely codified existing policy.) Moreover, Giuliani has been front-and-center in courting gay supporthell keynote Log Cabins National Convention in the Big Apple on August 28. On the other hand, Giulianis hard-nosed approach to city issues turned off many gay voters. His zero tolerance for infractions of city laws, designed to improve New Yorkers quality of life, adversely impacted pornography purchasers and al-fresco frolickers, angering somethough hardly all gay men. Clinton lost her early command of the opinion polls, but its still a tight race. She led 49 percent to 41 percent in last months Quinnipiac College Poll; he led 46 to 42 in a more tightly screened sample for pollster Zogby. Giuliani has already made an issue of her non-resident status, and the Whitewater scandals could get a rerun. "It would be a very tough race for her," says Democrat Zinsmayer. So she may not run. Though Clinton and Giuliani are early favorites in their parties, other contenders are waiting in the wings. If the First Lady doesnt run, Congresswoman Nita Lowey will seek the Democratic nod. Lowey would be "an outstanding candidate," says Zinsmayer, noting that she wouldnt have to deal with the carpetbagger charge. For the GOP, Congressman Rick Lazio, a Log Cabin favorite, is reminding party honchos that Giuliani isnt the only horse in the stable. If Lazio takes on Giuliani in the primary, hell court Long Island and upstate, where most Republicans reside. Will Poll Spur Gay Candidacies? The good news is that there are a record-high 151 openly gay women and men holding public office in this country. The bad news is that all of the other estimated 499,849 elected positions are held by ostensibly straight people. But if lesbians and gay men who want to run believe they have a serious shot at winning, the number of gay candidates might increase. A recent poll shows that 77 percent of likely voters will support an openly gay candidate who stands for something the public cares about. The survey was taken for the Victory Foundation, an affiliate of the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund. The poll showed that if voters know about a candidates homosexuality, all else being equal, she or he loses 15 percent. But Carol Feldman, who did the polling for lesbian Tammy Baldwin in her successful congressional race in Wisconsin last year, says the poll also shows "there are some advantages" to being gay. Voters view openly gay candidates as more likely to stand up for their convictions, to stand up to special interests, to promote equality of opportunity and to be concerned about certain issues, such as health care. The polling results, warts and all, should encourage budding gay politicos to take the plunge. If youre a gay man or lesbian who has been successful in business or a profession and/or have a background of community service, you probably have the name recognition and access to funding that can give your campaign a fighting chance. So run. Big Gains in the Legislatures Already, 1999 has proven to be a "year of real firsts" in state legislatures, says Dan Hawes, field director for the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force. "More favorable GLBT bills have been introduced than in any previous year that weve tracked," he notes. In the past, stopping anti-gay legislation has been the major focus of gay groups in the states. Now, the community is putting its increasing clout behind initiatives that will help gays and lesbians. As a result, job protections, hate-crimes proposals and domestic-partnership policies are all making record progress in legislatures throughout the country. Even though most of the pro-gay measures have not yet been enacted, they have moved further up the legislative ladder than ever before"out of committee for the first time or passed one house for the first time," says Hawes. NGLTFs "Equality Begins at Home" project, which gave grants to state and local groups earlier this year, deserves considerable credit for the progress. Some key examples: California With pro-gay Democrat Gray Davis in the governors mansion and his party in control of both houses of the legislature, the outlook is bright for a plethora of pro-gay proposals. Supported by Assembly Majority Leader Sheila Kuehl, who is herself a lesbian, pending measures would prohibit bias against gays in public schools, require schools to prepare plans to stop anti-gay harassment, add sexual orientation to the states fair housing and employment laws, equalize penalties for hate crimes against gay people, and provide domestic partnership policies. New York A bill to add sexual orientation to the states non-discrimination laws passed the lower house by its largest margin yet, with all Democrats and a record number of Republicans on board. Its still stalled in the Senate, but support from ambitious GOP Gov. George Pataki may shake it loose from the anti-gay grip of Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno, also a Republican. A hate-crimes proposal could also pass. Missouri A hate-crimes measure that includes gay people passed both houses. The bill now awaits action by Democratic Gov. Mel Carnahan, who has not been helpful on other issues. Hes running for the U.S. Senate next year, and probably comparing the number of lesbians and gays in St. Louis and Kansas City with the number of homophobes in the boonies. Texas The House passed a hate-crimes bill that included gays, but the GOP-controlled Senate has kept it off the floor (all 15 Senate Democrats support the measure). Amid allegations that Gov. George W. Bushs fingerprints were on the Senates action, some lawmakers may try to bring the bill up again. Illinois A bill extending civil-rights protections to gay people lost by two votes in the House but is to be reconsidered this session. Republican Gov. George Ryan is on our side. New Hampshire The legislature rescinded the states ban on adoptions by same-sex couples, and Democratic Gov. Jeanne Shaheen signed the measure. Nevada A job-rights bill passed both the Assembly and the Senate making Nevada the eleventh state with this protection.\ New Mexico Both houses in the legislature passed a gay-inclusive hate-crimes measure, but Republican Gov. Gary Johnson vetoed it. Maryland For the first time, the House passed a bill to provide civil-rights protections to gay peoplethanks in part to a major push from Democratic Gov. Parris Glendening. But the measure was defeated in the very conservative Senate Judiciary Committee. South Carolina A hate-crimes bill that included gays actually passed this conservative states Senate, but died in a House committee. Delaware A ban on work-place discrimination lost in the House by only three votes, the closest it has ever come. Hastings Wyman, a D.C. insider for more than three decades, publishes Southern Political Report, a nonpartisan biweekly political newsletter. He can be reached care of LETTERS from CAMP Rehoboth or at HWymanSPR@aol.com. Hastings Wyman has been a D.C. insider for more than three decades. He publishes Southern Political Report, a nonpartisan biweekly political newsletter. He can be reached in care of LETTERS from CAMP Rehoboth or at HwymanSPR@aol.com. |
LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth, Vol. 9, No. 6, June 4, 1999 |