Background: Dick Gephardt is a Congressman from Missouri. His daughter, Chrissy, is an out lesbian.
Note: After a poor performance in the Iowa Caucus, Gephardt dropped out of the race January 20th, 2004.
Employment Non-Discrimination: Gephardt supports the Employment Non-Discrimination Act 2003. He has co-sponsored the bill in Congress.
Gender Identity Employment: Gephardt supports a federal bill that would outlaw workplace discrimination based on gender identity and expression.
Hate Crimes: Gephardt supports expanding federal Hate Crimes Law to include sexual orientation. As a Democratic leader he fought to pass federal hate crimes legislation in the House.
Same-Sex Marriage: Gephardt opposes civil marriages for same-sex couples.
Family Medical Leave: Gephardt supports extending the Family Medical Leave Act to include same-sex couples.
Same-Sex Immigration: Gephardt supports and is a co-sponor of the Permanent Partners Act (H.R. 832) which would allow American citizens to sponsor their same-sex partners for immigration into this country.
Gay and Lesbian Adoption: Gephardt supports giving gays and lesbians the same legal rights to adopt children as heterosexuals.
Don't Ask, Don't Tell: Gephardt supports a repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell, which would allow gay and lesbian soldiers to serve openly in the military.
Gephardt Comments: On Don't Ask, Don't Tell: "Sexual Orientation should not be a bar to military service. I believe the 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' policy has been a failure, and I support its elimination. Gays and lesbians have served with valor in our armed services, and they will continue to do so under my administration."
On Same-Sex Marriage: "I oppose civil marriages for same-sex couples."
On Family Medical Leave Act: "I support expanding the Family and Medical Leave act to include domestic partners so they are not punished should they need to take time from work to care for a loved one."
