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By Kent Larsen
LDS Senator Gets Endorsement from The Human Rights Campaign
WASHINGTON, DC -- Oregon Senator Gordon Smith, one of five LDS Church
members serving in the U.S. Senate, has received the endorsement of
the Human Rights Campaign, the nation's largest gay and lesbian
political organization, in his effort to win reelection in 2002.
Smith is the only Republican and only Mormon endorsed by the
campaign, which comes because of his work in fighting discrimination.
That effort began following his initial loss to fellow Oregon Senator
Ron Wyden in a 1996 special election to fill the seat vacated by Bob
Packwood. In that election, Smith had the support of the antigay
Oregon Citizens Alliance, while Wyden had the support of the Human
Rights Campaign and other gay rights organizations. When Oregon's
other Senator, Mark Hatfield decided to retire, Smith ran for that
seat, and actively supported several positions supported by gay
rights advocates, including the Employment Non-Discrimination Act
(ENDA).
Since his election, Smith has continued support for some gay rights
positions. He co-sponsored the 2000 Hate Crimes Prevention Act and
argued for the provision that included sexual-orientation in the
crimes covered by the act. The Human Rights Campaign cited his
co-sponsorship of the ENDA, the Ryan White CARE Act and a bill to
extend Medicaid coverage to those living with HIV. It also cited his
support for the nomination of an openly-gay man, James Hormel, as
U.S. Ambassador to Luxembourg, and his efforts to get support among
Republicans for the Local Law Enforcement Enhancement Act.
Smith has also appeared at many events hosted by gay rights
organizations. He was on the host committee for the Republican Unity
Coalition's inaugural breakfast last January. The Republican Unity
Coalition seeks to involve gay Republicans in the Republican party
and the Bush administration and build bridges between gay and
straight Republicans. Smith also spoke at the Human Rights Campaign's
annual 2001 national dinner in Washington DC along with Senator
Hillary Clinton.
While his positions on gay issues are at odds with the traditional
conservative positions espoused by many LDS Church members, Smith has
actively tried to make his beliefs clear. In the debate last year on
the 2000 Hate Crimes Prevention Act, Smith said, "One needn't agree
with all the goals of the gay community to help it achieve fair
treatment within our society. It is possible, for example, to oppose
gay marriage on religious and policy grounds but to protect gays and
lesbians against violence on the same grounds."
The Human Rights Campaign said that his record shows consistent
support for those ideals, "Gordon Smith has earned our support by
working for fairness and speaking out against discrimination," said
Stachelberg. "His record shows that he is
a true friend and a dependable ally who has the courage to go against
the grain when necessary, and do what is right."
Sources:
HRC Announces Endorsements for Senate Campaign 2002
Human Rights Campaign Press Release 10Dec01 T2
Senate passes hate crimes bill
Houston Voice 23Jun00 T2
By Laura Douglas-Brown
Bush Admin. Broadens Gay Overtures
Washington Post (AP) 27Oct01 T2
By David Crary: AP National Writer
See also:
Oregon's Smith-Wyden Political Friendship Celebrates 100th Weekly Luncheon
Mormon News 14Sep00 T2
LDS Senator Argues For Hate Crime
Mormon News 25Jun00 T2
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