{"id":2087,"date":"2007-08-10T09:54:00","date_gmt":"2007-08-10T15:54:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.nmpolitics.net\/index\/2007\/08\/gay-rights-forum-a-disaster-for-richardson\/"},"modified":"2007-08-10T09:54:00","modified_gmt":"2007-08-10T15:54:00","slug":"gay-rights-forum-a-disaster-for-richardson","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nmpolitics.net\/index\/2007\/08\/gay-rights-forum-a-disaster-for-richardson\/","title":{"rendered":"Gay-rights forum a disaster for Richardson"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>Gov. Bill Richardson<\/a> 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. <\/p>\n

<\/o:p><\/p>\n

The forum<\/a>, put on by Human Rights Campaign and the lesbian and gay network Logo, didn\u2019t pit the candidates against each other on stage. Each instead had a 15-minute interview with a three-member panel and a moderator.<\/p>\n

<\/o:p><\/p>\n

Richardson and Barack Obama<\/a> essentially took the same approach \u2013 saying they\u2019re focused on legalizing domestic partnerships, not gay marriage, because, in Richardson\u2019s words, it\u2019s \u201cwhat\u2019s achievable\u201d and, in Obama\u2019s, the president\u2019s job is to focus on full legal rights before trying to change societal attitudes.<\/p>\n

<\/o:p><\/p>\n

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<\/st1:city><\/st1:place> did not.<\/p>\n

<\/o:p><\/p>\n

A non-scientific poll on Logo\u2019s Web site after the debate had Obama with the most support, 35 percent, and Richardson<\/st1:place><\/st1:city> with the least, 4 percent.<\/p>\n

<\/o:p><\/p>\n

Richardson<\/st1:place><\/st1:city> was asked about a prior comment he made on the Don Imus show in 2006 \u2013 repeating the use of the Spanish word for \u201cfaggot\u201d after Imus used it \u2013 and he seemed to tentatively satisfy his critics.<\/p>\n

<\/o:p><\/p>\n

\u201cI meant no harm when I said that,\u201d Richardson<\/st1:place><\/st1:city> said. \u201cIt was one of those exchanges when I was caught off guard. \u2026 But I think you should look at my actions, and not words.\u201d<\/p>\n

<\/o:p><\/p>\n

The forum moderator then commented that she had misspoken once on Imus\u2019 show, and said each guest is entitled to one mistake on that show.<\/p>\n

<\/o:p><\/p>\n

Not so fast<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/o:p><\/p>\n

But after being forgiven for one mistake, Richardson<\/st1:place><\/st1:city> immediately made more.<\/p>\n

<\/o:p><\/p>\n

He was asked, if the state Legislature passed a bill making gay marriage legal, whether he would sign it. After discussion with Richardson<\/st1:city> and other candidates about the strong difference between domestic partnerships and gay marriage \u2013 one panel member characterized it as the difference between being separate but equal and being truly equal \u2013 Richardson<\/st1:place><\/st1:city> said this:<\/p>\n

<\/o:p><\/p>\n

\u201cThe New Mexico Legislature, I am pushing it very hard to expand domestic partnerships. It\u2019s the same thing.\u201d<\/p>\n

<\/o:p><\/p>\n

Not only was this mistake No. 2, but it resurrected mistake No. 1 \u2013 the Imus comment. Which prompted the next question: Where do you stand on gay marriage?<\/p>\n

<\/o:p><\/p>\n

\u201cIn my heart, I am doing what is achievable, and I\u2019m not there yet. New Mexico<\/st1:place><\/st1:state> isn\u2019t there yet, the country isn\u2019t there yet,\u201d he said. \u201cThat doesn\u2019t mean I\u2019m closed on this issue. It means I\u2019m doing what is achievable.\u201d<\/p>\n

<\/o:p><\/p>\n

Which prompted the next question, from rock star Melissa Etheridge: \u201cDo you think homosexuality is a choice, or is it biological?\u201d<\/p>\n

<\/o:p><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a choice. It\u2019s, it\u2019s\u2026\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

<\/o:p><\/p>\n

Mistake No. 3. The audience was silent.<\/p>\n

<\/o:p><\/p>\n

But Richardson<\/st1:place><\/st1:city> was given one more chance. Etheridge told him she didn\u2019t believe he understood the question and restated it, prompting some nervous laughter from those in attendance.<\/p>\n

<\/o:p><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not a scientist. I don\u2019t see this as an issue of science or definition. I see gays and lesbians as people as a matter of human decency,\u201d Richardson<\/st1:place><\/st1:city> said. \u201c\u2026 I don\u2019t like to categorize people.\u201d<\/p>\n

<\/o:p><\/p>\n

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\u2019t born homosexual.<\/p>\n

<\/o:p><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t think it\u2019s a matter of preferences. It\u2019s a matter of equality,\u201d Richardson<\/st1:place><\/st1:city> said. \u201cThis is why in my public life I not only have spoken about these issues, I\u2019ve done it. That\u2019s the point that I\u2019m trying to convey.\u201d<\/p>\n

<\/o:p><\/p>\n

It didn\u2019t stick. He has done a lot to advance the rights for gays and lesbians in New Mexico<\/st1:state> with a hate crimes bill, domestic partner benefits for state employees and an attempt to make domestic partnerships legal in New Mexico<\/st1:place><\/st1:state> that failed in the Legislature by one vote.<\/p>\n

<\/o:p><\/p>\n

But the damage was done. The first gay-rights activist interviewed on television after the forum said there was one candidate who bombed.<\/p>\n

<\/o:p><\/p>\n

\u201cBill Richardson did not advance his cause any tonight,\u201d he said, pointing to Richardson<\/st1:city><\/st1:place>\u2019s \u201cchoice\u201d answer.<\/p>\n

<\/o:p><\/p>\n

Richardson<\/st1:place><\/st1:city> failed to show understanding of issues<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/o:p><\/p>\n

Richardson<\/st1:place><\/st1:city>\u2019s campaign quickly put out a news release clarifying his answer.<\/p>\n

<\/o:p><\/p>\n

\u201cLet me be clear: I do not believe that sexual orientation or gender identity happen by choice,\u201d Richardson<\/st1:place><\/st1:city> said in the release. \u201cBut I\u2019m 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

<\/o:p><\/p>\n

The release then went on to highlight Richardson<\/st1:place><\/st1:city>\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

<\/o:p><\/p>\n

Given chances to show such understanding \u2013 like an opportunity to display understanding of the difference between gay marriage and domestic partnerships \u2013 Richardson<\/st1:place><\/st1:city> failed.<\/p>\n

<\/o:p><\/p>\n

Obama, on the other hand, was embraced by the group. It wasn\u2019t 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.<\/p>\n

<\/o:p><\/p>\n

Etheridge got emotional while telling Hillary Clinton<\/a> that her husband had broken promises to the gay and lesbian community. Clinton<\/st1:place><\/st1:city> disputed that, and lost some points because of it.<\/p>\n

<\/o:p><\/p>\n

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<\/st1:place><\/st1:city> even called the act and his vote \u201ca cheap political way to decimate a bad initiative.\u201d But he also said he regrets the vote. Which is true?<\/p>\n

<\/o:p><\/p>\n

Still, Richardson<\/st1:place><\/st1:city> gets some points because he showed up. Two candidates \u2013 Chris Dodd<\/a> and Joe Biden<\/a> \u2013 didn\u2019t even attend.<\/p>\n

<\/o:p><\/p>\n

But Richardson<\/st1:place><\/st1:city> has repeatedly stumbled over his words when speaking to and about this community. You have to wonder why. It\u2019s quite possible he believes people are born gay. After all, half the nation does.<\/p>\n

<\/o:p><\/p>\n

Regardless of what he believes, he needs to learn how to better explain it.<\/p>\n

<\/o:p><\/p>\n

Below is the clip showing Richardson<\/st1:place><\/st1:city>\u2019s answer to the \u201cchoice\u201d question. You can watch more clips of Richardson<\/st1:place><\/st1:city> from the forum by clicking here<\/a>, and the other candidates here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

<\/embed><\/p>\n

\n

This article has been changed slightly from a prior version to more accurately refer to the LGBT community.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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 […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2087","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/nmpolitics.net\/index\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2087","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/nmpolitics.net\/index\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/nmpolitics.net\/index\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nmpolitics.net\/index\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nmpolitics.net\/index\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2087"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/nmpolitics.net\/index\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2087\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/nmpolitics.net\/index\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2087"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nmpolitics.net\/index\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2087"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nmpolitics.net\/index\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2087"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}