We’re knee-deep in the election cycle and for many of us, the candidates’ stances on LGBT issues are imperative.
As someone who struggled to accept myself growing up, and then fought for his rights as an adult, I believe having a leader who is a fierce ally is essential. Someone who will fight for equality and inspire the next generation. I believe Hillary Clinton is this candidate.
Yes, when you hear “Hillary Clinton” and “LGBT rights,” her past comes up. As Clinton has said herself, it’s been an evolution. But just because someone hasn’t always been the biggest advocate in the past, doesn’t mean we should carry judgement against them into the future.
Lets take a look at 8 times Hillary Clinton showed she was a champion of the LGBT community.
1
Her historic speech in Switzerland.
In December 2011, Clinton delivered a major speech in Geneva on International Human Rights Day. She insisted that the international community acknowledge that “gay rights are human rights and human rights are gay rights,” and announced the first-ever U.S. policy aimed at aiding LGBT people around the world.
In her remarks, sh claimed using religion to justify homophobia was “not unlike the justification offered for violent practices towards women like honor killings, widow burning, or female genital mutilation. Some people still defend those practices as part of a cultural tradition. But violence toward women isn’t cultural; it’s criminal.”
And she addressed the global LGBT community directly:
“To LGBT men and women worldwide, let me say this: Wherever you live and whatever the circumstances of your life, whether you are connected to a network of support or feel isolated and vulnerable, please know that you are not alone.”
“People around the globe are working hard to support you and to bring an end to the injustices and dangers you face. That is certainly true for my country. And you have an ally in the United States of America and you have millions of friends among the American people.”
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