Ask the Presidential Candidates a Question!
Candidates for the Republican and Democratic nominations for the presidency are attending coffees, receptions, town hall meetings and other events in several key states: Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina, Nevada, Florida and others. These events give citizens opportunities to ask the candidates questions. Faith In America wants to know which of the candidates will disavow religion-based bigotry and support full and equal civil rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender citizens.
We developed the following list of questions for citizens to ask. Please ask them if you have the opportunity and/or share them with people you know who may have the opportunity to ask them. These questions can be modified as appropriate or used to inspire similar questions. Please make sure the question is appropriate for the candidate to whom you’re asking it.
If you have the chance to ask one or more of these questions, let us know the answers you get (Brent@FaithInAmerica.com). We want to track the answers and hold the candidates accountable to them. Thanks!
Love and peace,
Brent Childers
Executive Director
Faith In America
For Presidential Candidates of Both Parties:
- (For all Candidates who’ve taken this position): You have said you believe marriage only should be between one man and one woman. What is the basis for your position?
- Is it appropriate for the president of the United States to use religious beliefs to deny lesbian and gay American citizens their full and equal civil rights?
- Forty years ago, the US Supreme court said the freedom to marry is a basic civil right and it’s unconstitutional to deny two people the right to marry because they are of different races. If it’s unconstitutional to use race to deny people the right to marry, why isn’t it also unconstitutional to use gender to deny people the right to marry?
- The Hate Crimes Prevention Act and the Employment Non-Discrimination Act are being considered today by the US Congress. Do you support this legislation that will provide protection to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender citizens?
- Many young gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender youth commit suicide because of low self-esteem and depression promoted by a social climate of condemnation and rejection. As president, what will you do to help create a climate of understanding and respect toward lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender youth to help alleviate this tragic loss of our children?
- The Declaration of Independence says: “All people are created equal and endowed with the unalienable rights of Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” Do you believe this is true and, if so, do you believe it applies to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender American citizens?
For Democratic Presidential Candidates:
- (For all Democratic Candidates, except Edwards): Senator John Edwards has said, if he’s elected president he will not use his religious beliefs to deny lesbian and gay citizens their civil rights. Will you make the same commitment?
- (For all Democratic Candidates, except Kucinich and Gravel): You say that you support full and equal civil rights for lesbian and gay American citizens. But, you don’t support marriage for lesbian and gay couples. Please explain the reason why.
- (For all Democratic Candidates, except Kucinich and Gravel): You say you believe in the separation of Church and State, yet you oppose marriage for lesbian and gay couples because some people understand marriage to be a religious matter. Please explain why this is not a violation of the separation of Church and State.
For Republican Presidential Candidates:
- (For all GOP candidates): Would it be appropriate for you as the president of the United States to use your religious beliefs to deny lesbian and gay citizens their civil rights?
- (For all GOP candidates): Most Americans believe it was unconstitutional and wrong to use religion to justify slavery, racial segregation and to deny women the right to vote. Why isn’t it just as unconstitutional and morally wrong to use religion to deny lesbian and gay citizens their full and equal civil rights?
- (Especially for Romney, McCain, Huckabee, Brownback, Hunter): Republican candidates have been accused of using religion-based bigotry against gays and lesbians for political gain. Would you promise not to do this and would you discourage your supporters not to do this on your behalf?