Which presidential candidates are moving fastest toward full equality for 31 million LGBTIQ Americans? 

Updated 9 May 2012

This speedy, interactive slide show illustrates which candidates are evolving fastest on 12 major issues, from August 2011 through today.  Each candidate’s change is highlighted in  black  on the date it occurred.  After clicking to enlarge, press “Page Down” key for next slide, “Page Up” key for prior slide, and the browser’s “Back” button to return here.

Click to enlarge. 

Methodology  •  Starting in August 2011, a survey was delivered to the office of each active, formally announced candidate via e-mail, web mail, and/or facsimile, and also via certified U.S. mail for which a campaign employee signed a receipt confirming the delivery.  Each candidate’s survey showed his or her latest stand on each LGBTIQ issue, based on speeches made, documents signed, and interviews given.  All candidates were invited to notify MEUSA of updates to their positions as they occur, up through election day on 6 November 2012. 

Send questions and comments to:  NFlaherty@MarriageEquality.org.

Banners, Posters & Flyers  •  This table can be printed as a giant banner, large poster, or flyer hand-out, in any size, on any printer.  Candidates change positions often, so it’s best to print copies just before they’re needed.  Go to the last page of the table, press Ctrl-P, and set “Size” = “Fit,” or save the file (press Shift+Ctrl+S) and then e-mail it to someone who has a large, color printer.

Impact on DOMA Lawsuits  •  In some of the 16 lawsuits challenging the Defense of Marriage Act, attorneys hired by the Republican-controlled House of Representatives claimed that:  (a) LGBTIQ people have enough political power already; (b) anti-LGBTIQ bigotry is fairly new and relatively insignificant; and (c) discrimination stops being relevant so long as it is declining.  But the table above shows the opposite:  (a) LGBTIQ political power hasn’t achieved full equality; (b) anti-LGBTIQ laws aren’t new or minor; and (c) many candidates promise little or no improvement, and vow to increase discrimination.