presidential debate for the LGBT community

http://www.365gay.com/Newscon07/07/071007debate.htm

(Los Angeles, California) For the first time the leading candidates for the presidency will hold a televised debate devoted solely to LGBT issues.

The one-hour event will be held on August 9 and broadcast on gay network LOGO at 9:00 pm ET (6:00 pm ET) and through live streaming video at LOGOonline.com.

Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama and John Edwards have confirmed they will participate. Several other Democratic candidates also may join the debate.

The debate will be conducted with a live audience in Los Angeles. On the panel questioning the two Democrats will be Human Rights Campaign president Joe Solmonese and singer Melissa Etheridge.

The debate was put together by LOGO and HRC.

"In the 2008 presidential election, issues of concern to the LGBT community have already been at the forefront of the national conversation,” said Solmonese.

"From the repeal of “Don’t ask, Don’t Tell” to the recent signing of a civil unions bill in New Hampshire, there is no doubt that voters will demand answers to important questions affecting our community."

The panelists in a statement said they plan to cover a range of issues including relationship recognition, marriage equality, workplace fairness, the military, hate crimes, HIV/AIDS and other important issues.

The LGBT vote is considered a decisive electoral force and according to exit poll data make up approximately 4 percent of the voting population.

Los Angeles was chosen as the site for the event because of the state’s early primary election, on February 5th, 2008.

"We're honored to give the presidential candidates an historic opportunity to share their views directly with the LGBT audience," Brian Graden, President, Entertainment, MTV Networks Music Group, and President, LOGO said in a statement.

"This forum continues MTV Networks’ tradition of engaging vital niche audiences with voting and the electoral process."

In addition to questioning by Solmonese and Etheridge people will be able to pose their own questions through LOGOonline.com and HRC.org.

 

that sounds really postive, hope theres some way I will be able to watch it
S

 

They'd never pick it--but I'd like to submit the question "Yes or No-Do you personally believe it's possible for two people of the same sex to love each other?"

 

seems to me that'd be a great big "of course." like anyone in their right mind would ever say otherwise. hell, even a politician who's insane would still be wily enough to say "of course."

 

or big long winded, what do you mean by love answer, by the time one realises that the question wasn't really answered they've moved on to the next
S

 

ugh. i'd rather poke my eyes out with a fork than put up with that.

 

I'm defiantly gonna try to watch it. Thanks for posting that, kc.

 

yeah, i get LOGO, so i'm pretty excited. i've set it to record, since i'll be out of town for my friend's wedding then.

 

I once went to a symposium on "Peace & War." Similar advertising, several dems in attendance, opened with Cindy Sheehan; the whole shebang. It went to shit in my opinion. I worry that the dems will try and win the family over with smooth talking and promises they can't keep (similar to the what we're dealing with in regards to troop withdrawal now).

Ugh. It's frustrating. It's a positive step, no doubt, but I worry that the LGBT family is still being treating like the Democrats' mistress. If our issues are important enough to that, why aren't they in the main presidential debates? Why are we separate, and why are only Democrats attending? I fear the debate might fall into Republican-bashing rather than actual plans to solve any of our concerns...but that's just me over analyzing and being negative.

 

probably not just being negative. politics are frustrating to EVERYONE.