Gay-rights forum a disaster for Richardson

Gov. Bill Richardson blew a chance to win support in the gay and lesbian community on Thursday evening by asking people to focus on his actions instead of his words and then telling a lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender group, on a program broadcast on a gay and lesbian television network, that homosexuality is a choice.

The forum, put on by Human Rights Campaign and the lesbian and gay network Logo, didn’t pit the candidates against each other on stage. Each instead had a 15-minute interview with a three-member panel and a moderator.

Richardson and Barack Obama essentially took the same approach – saying they’re focused on legalizing domestic partnerships, not gay marriage, because, in Richardson’s words, it’s “what’s achievable” and, in Obama’s, the president’s job is to focus on full legal rights before trying to change societal attitudes.

The difference was that, when pressed, Obama revealed himself to be a deeply empathetic person who could relate on some level to the struggle of homosexuals and who would treat them with honesty and respect. Richardson did not.

A non-scientific poll on Logo’s Web site after the debate had Obama with the most support, 35 percent, and Richardson with the least, 4 percent.

Richardson was asked about a prior comment he made on the Don Imus show in 2006 – repeating the use of the Spanish word for “faggot” after Imus used it – and he seemed to tentatively satisfy his critics.

“I meant no harm when I said that,” Richardson said. “It was one of those exchanges when I was caught off guard. … But I think you should look at my actions, and not words.”

The forum moderator then commented that she had misspoken once on Imus’ show, and said each guest is entitled to one mistake on that show.

Not so fast

But after being forgiven for one mistake, Richardson immediately made more.

He was asked, if the state Legislature passed a bill making gay marriage legal, whether he would sign it. After discussion with Richardson and other candidates about the strong difference between domestic partnerships and gay marriage – one panel member characterized it as the difference between being separate but equal and being truly equal – Richardson said this:

“The New Mexico Legislature, I am pushing it very hard to expand domestic partnerships. It’s the same thing.”

Not only was this mistake No. 2, but it resurrected mistake No. 1 – the Imus comment. Which prompted the next question: Where do you stand on gay marriage?

“In my heart, I am doing what is achievable, and I’m not there yet. New Mexico isn’t there yet, the country isn’t there yet,” he said. “That doesn’t mean I’m closed on this issue. It means I’m doing what is achievable.”

Which prompted the next question, from rock star Melissa Etheridge: “Do you think homosexuality is a choice, or is it biological?”

“It’s a choice. It’s, it’s…” he said.

Mistake No. 3. The audience was silent.

But Richardson was given one more chance. Etheridge told him she didn’t believe he understood the question and restated it, prompting some nervous laughter from those in attendance.

“I’m not a scientist. I don’t see this as an issue of science or definition. I see gays and lesbians as people as a matter of human decency,” Richardson said. “… I don’t like to categorize people.”

He then went on to talk about how, as a Hispanic, he understands issues of inequality. He was steered back to the question about the nature of homosexuality, asked what he would say to someone who would deny rights because they believe people aren’t born homosexual.

“I don’t think it’s a matter of preferences. It’s a matter of equality,” Richardson said. “This is why in my public life I not only have spoken about these issues, I’ve done it. That’s the point that I’m trying to convey.”

It didn’t stick. He has done a lot to advance the rights for gays and lesbians in New Mexico with a hate crimes bill, domestic partner benefits for state employees and an attempt to make domestic partnerships legal in New Mexico that failed in the Legislature by one vote.

But the damage was done. The first gay-rights activist interviewed on television after the forum said there was one candidate who bombed.

“Bill Richardson did not advance his cause any tonight,” he said, pointing to Richardson’s “choice” answer.

Richardson failed to show understanding of issues

Richardson’s campaign quickly put out a news release clarifying his answer.

“Let me be clear: I do not believe that sexual orientation or gender identity happen by choice,” Richardson said in the release. “But I’m not a scientist, and the point I was trying to make is that no matter how it happens, we are all equal and should be treated that way under the law. That is what I believe. That is what I have spent my career fighting for. I ask that people look at my record and my actions and they will see I have been a true supporter of the LGBT community.”

The release then went on to highlight Richardson’s record on gay-rights issues, further compounding the point Richardson missed during the forum. Democrats make promises to homosexuals. Most Democratic candidates agree that they should be treated equally under the law. This group was looking for a candidate who will treat them with empathy and respect, not just support some initiatives to say they supported some inititatives.

Given chances to show such understanding – like an opportunity to display understanding of the difference between gay marriage and domestic partnerships – Richardson failed.

Obama, on the other hand, was embraced by the group. It wasn’t because he said everything they wanted to hear. It was because he displayed a deep understanding of the issues, treated those who questioned him with respect and was articulate and empathetic.

Etheridge got emotional while telling Hillary Clinton that her husband had broken promises to the gay and lesbian community. Clinton disputed that, and lost some points because of it.

Maybe Richardson and Clinton were speaking honestly about political realities. Both said the Defense of Marriage Act they supported in the mid-1990s was necessary to stop a push for a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage. Richardson even called the act and his vote “a cheap political way to decimate a bad initiative.” But he also said he regrets the vote. Which is true?

Still, Richardson gets some points because he showed up. Two candidates – Chris Dodd and Joe Biden – didn’t even attend.

But Richardson has repeatedly stumbled over his words when speaking to and about this community. You have to wonder why. It’s quite possible he believes people are born gay. After all, half the nation does.

Regardless of what he believes, he needs to learn how to better explain it.

Below is the clip showing Richardson’s answer to the “choice” question. You can watch more clips of Richardson from the forum by clicking here, and the other candidates here.

This article has been changed slightly from a prior version to more accurately refer to the LGBT community.