Senator Hillary Clinton spoke to a group of
more than 500 Human Rights Campaign volunteers Friday, promising that
she will institute a partnership with gays and lesbians if she is
elected president, and that gays "always will have an open door to the
White House."
In the speech, Clinton joked that she shares the same initials as the
group, and pledged to maintain the same close working relationship that
last year helped defeat the federal amendment which would have banned
same-sex marriage.
"I want you to know that this is exactly the kind of partnership we will
have when I am president," Clinton told the group. "I want you to know
that just as you always have an open door to my senate office, you will
always have an open door to the White House and together we can continue
this journey."
Clinton also said she opposes the "don't ask, don't tell" policy
regarding gays in the military that was instituted during Bill Clinton's
presidency. Previous to Bill Clinton's administration, gays were totally
banned from serving in the military.
Sen. Clinton said the nation would be safer if openly gay soldiers,
sailors, Marines, and airmen could wear the uniform.
"This policy doesn't just hurt gays and lesbians, it hurts all our
troops and this to me is a matter of national security and we're going
to fix it," Clinton said.
"I want you to know that this is exactly the kind of partnership we will
have when I am president," Clinton told the group. "I want you to know
that just as you always have an open door to my senate office, you will
always have an open door to the White House and together we can continue
this journey."
The Hunk
