Hillary Clinton has taken some well-earned lumps for her caution on marriage equality and other issues. Clinton is an inherently cautious politician, but then again, if you were targeted by right-wing nutburgers (and a certain presidential candidate) who alleged you murdered a friend and were a secret lesbian, well, you might be a little gun-shy yourself. Add to this the fact that the mainstream media often mistake covering Clinton with target practice, and you’ve got the makings of a candidate who thinks twice about everything.
Related: Hillary Clinton Makes Historic Appearance At New York Pride Parade
But let’s give credit where it’s due. Despite her occasional missteps, Clinton has on the whole been more than just a reliable supporter. She has actually gone out of her way to push the envelope on our behalf. That’s much more true than it is for her spouse, although Hillary gets dinged for what Bill did.
But judging a wife by her husband is so mid-century (or, to be blunt, sexist). Let’s judge Hillary by her own actions.
As Hillary prepares for the speech of her life at the Democratic convention tonight, here are six times when she really went out of her way to show she means it when she says she’s got our backs.
1. Declared LGBT rights as human rights
This may have been Clinton’s finest hour. It’s certainly her most underrated. She established a policy for the U.S. government that was a major step forward for international rights. In a powerful speech in 2011, Clinton eloquently demanded that the U.N. recognize our equality worldwide. “Like being a woman, like being a racial religious tribal or ethnic minority, being LGBT does not make you less human,” Clinton said. “And that is why gay rights are Human Rights and Human Rights are gay rights.” To her credit, Clinton’s commitment didn’t stop at the speech. Under her tenure, the State Department pressured countries like Honduras to protect its LGBT citizens and launched the Global Equality Fund to promote rights groups in other repressive countries.
2. Took on Russian officials over their homophobia
Unlike her opponent, who would be happy to let Vladimir Putin do whatever he wants, no matter how evil, Clinton has taken a tough line on Russia’s repressive policies, particularly when it comes to the gay community. “What Putin’s doing in Russia with all these laws against the LGBT community… is just a cynical political ploy,” Clinton has said, adding that as Secretary of State she got into “shouting matches” with top Russian officials. No wonder that Putin has thrown the weight of the Russian media behind Trump.
3. Reached out to an unhappy gay youth
In a touching show of her humanity, Clinton responded to a post from a frightened gay kid. “I’m homosexual, and I’m afraid about what my future will be and that people won’t like me,” he said. Clinton (and not her staff) penned a response: “Prediction from a grown-up: Your future is going to be amazing. You will surprise yourself with what you’re capable of and the incredible things you go on to do. Find the people who love and believe in you — there will be lots of them.” It was showed the warm side that her friends value but the public rarely sees.
4. Put LGBT issues front and center in her campaign
Clinton is obviously trying to wrap herself in President Obama’s mantle, so it makes sense for her to show her support in prominent displays. After all, that will be one of Obama’s most enduring legacies. Still, Clinton is trying to do Obama one better, at least in terms of visibility. But from the speakers at the convention to the people in her ads, Clinton has made a point of our inclusivity as a core part of her idea of what America is today. Those messages and visuals resonate well beyond the campaign; they set the bar for the culture as well.
5. Spoke out early and often against Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell
This must have made for some interesting conversations at home: while Bill Clinton was still in the White House, Hillary pledged to do her best to repeal Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. She was running for Senate in New York at the time, and separating herself from her husband made political sense. But she went further than she had to, by declaring her husband’s compromise policy a failure six years after it was implemented and before the Democrats as a party saw fit to take a stand.
6. Made a couple of Pride Parade firsts
A politician marching in a pride parade? Not so much a big deal, right? But in 2000, Clinton became the first First Lady to march in a Pride Parade. This year she became the first major presidential candidate to march in a Pride Parade (sorry, Barack). Plus, she sure looked like she was having a blast doing it.
ErikO
If she really wants to put her money where her mouth is and take a huge risk she’ll come out as lez and divorce her “husband”.
DCguy
@ErikO: Come out as “lez”? LOL! Um, fear of writing the entire word?!
Malcolm Forest
@ErikO: I’m not sure what you are even going on about. I don’t care if Hillary Clinton is GLBT or not, for the GLBT community like us guys, she is MUCH better than Trump. GO HILLARY!!! GAYZ LUV U!!!!!!
broadshoulder
Didn’t she vote against gay marriage? I suppose she’s got her hand out for the gay vote
dwes09
@broadshoulder: ” I suppose she’s got her hand out for the gay vote”
Given Trump’s manufactured “foreign threat” against LGBT folks offered to scare us while claiming that the most virulently anti-gay republican platform ever is “good”, he seems more like the one with his hand out for the gay vote. Of course he is as usual offering only lies.
ErikO
@Malcolm Forest: Jill Stein is actually a better candidate and it’s not some secret that Hillary is a closeted lesbian.
@broadshoulder: Yes she did vote against same sex marriage. Hillary is offering only lies. Jill Stein 2016!!!
Mo Bro
You can call it “evolving” that she flip-flopped on marriage, but anyway you cut it, it’s political pandering of the most obvious sort.
As for issues at large, she’s simply a sequel to Obama’s presidency (or a remake of Bubba’s, depending on how you look at it), and what the country needs is change, not politics as usual.
dwes09
@Mo Bro:
Typical opf the regressive to not notice the actual changes that have occurred over the past 8 years in terms of economic recovery. What we need is a politician with talent and experience to continue the policies that have gotten positive results. What we don’t need is a lying egomaniac with no experience in the workings of government that the rest of the developed world regards with horror and derision.
And if you are a gay person (not certain given the widespread disingenuous nature of the right so well documented) you should be aware of Trumps insistence that he WILL appoint justices who WILL revoke marriage equality.
It is endlessly amusing that only a true regressive would try and insult someone by noting that their views evolved and progresses in the same way as tat of the American population. “Flip-flopping” is a lame and childish way to deny that people of intelligence evaluate their views in the light of actual evidence and embrace change. And literally, it would refer to views going back and forth, not a progressive evolution. So you seem to lack the critical ability to even use the phrase properly.
No offense, but you Log Cabiners are endlessly amusing and yet so very sad in the way that any synchophant is.
dwes09
@dwes09: And by the way, how is the following “change” in any way:
1.a return to the notions of trickle down that has not worked in the past
2.a further reduction of taxes on the most wealthy that has been shown to shrink the economy and the middle class
3.recriminalization of homosexuality
4. a return to historically damaging isolationism
5. a refusal to accept or understand the international nature of the economy
6. xenophobia and nativism not seen since the 1930’s in Europe?
It is a regression, and will result in the same sort of events we saw prior to President Obama’s election. It is a regression that will encourage the degradation of rights and infrastructure initiated by the naive and foolish policies of the tea party!
aquisr
Wow…. A whole 6 times. In how many years???? Please. She was on Ellen saying she does not believe in gay marriage, just civil unions. So much for equality. I don’t trust this woman. No way. It’s so funny how she started showing up at gay pride events when she started running for president.
dwes09
@aquisr: Though Trump has hired gay people in accordance with the laws of the jurisdictions in which he has conducted business (he had no choice), please enumerate his efforts on our behalf.
Please indicate how his promise to appoint justices who will reverse marriage equality shows he is a more trusted ally than Hillary.
dwes09
@ErikO: it’s not some secret that Hillary is a closeted lesbian.
If it is not some secret, provide a reputable source that makes the claim.
and remember (though you certainly understand and probably hope for it) a vote for a write in candidate is a vote for Trump. And it is certainly no secret that he lies and panders in the worst way. The worst. Believe me, worst.
mw11
Six things?
Please take a look at her dark past and do your research.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kypl1MYuKDY
Brian
Hillary is about as gay-friendly as Britney Spears….which is not saying much.
Bob LaBlah
@mw11: Thank you and congratulations. I’m surprised you got that one past the censors.
DarkZephyr
@ErikO: Jill Stein isn’t viable. She is a spoiler candidate who will help Trump get elected. I am with Dan Savage when it comes to the Green Party and the Libertarians.
http://www.thestranger.com/slog/2016/07/19/24362128/dan-savage-on-jill-stein-just-no
@broadshoulder: and she’s changed her mind. She sure succeeded in getting my vote. If you like Trump, you are an enemy.
@mw11: You are an enemy.
dwes09
@Brian: Facts? Proof? Connection with reality much?
@mw11: A YouTube video does not constitute research. There is no vetting and no fact checking on YouTube. Are we to assume that no moon landing ever took place or that aliens walk among us based on YouTube? Provide real information or be laughed at. And good luck if our “friend” trump gets into the white house. Real facts are pretty clear about him.
Mo Bro
@dwes09: If I were a liberal, your snarky comments and sky-is-falling propaganda would have sent me running in tears to my safe space. As it is, I just find your comments and responses to be the height of entertainment, as I’m sure many of us do.
Invader7
Queerty : are fricking kidding-you must be Hilary’s gay media bitch!! She and Bill formulated DADT. She has always been politically cautious and has NEVER done anything that doesn’t have a pay off except for her & Bill. They USED us for years and only when it’s politically expedient have they appeared to be in front of an issue when it makes them look good. The bitch and the psychopath Bill are corrupt a-holes who have NEVER done anything for the LGBTQ community in the USA !!! Having said that, I’ll reluctantly hold my nose if she gets elected-which is a big if,becuase in true Hil & Bill style they will be an even bigger scandal before the election!!! They always sabotage themselves.Trump is HITLER in a suit and he’s a narcissistic sociopath blow hard douche bag asshole bully and a thug. He’s a small. VERY insecure, bigoted,xenophobic,misogynist homophobic Neo-Nazi FASCIST pig!!! He’ll RUIN this country and get us into WW3!
ErikO
@Mo Bro: Very true she’ll be just as bad as Bush II was and carry out those failed policies just like 0bama has. If you really care about this country vote Jill Stein and not for the corrupt Dems who forced Bernie out and put in that crook Hillary instead.
dwes09
@Mo Bro: Please point out one comment not related to actual quotes of your boy Trump. And he uses f=ear to manipulate folks like you…fear and hate. please provide even one similar use by progressives. Point out one “sky- is -falling comment I have made that is not factual.
And please show evidence of snark rather than comments on actual facts. Your projection, and lack of critical capacities is showing.
I cite events, quotes and actions. you cite…nothing but your imagination and the speculation/misinterpretation of others.
If you were progressive you would not be driven by fear, nor would you need a safe space other than your own intellect. It is the right that manipulates through fear. Try actually listening to their rhetoric with your brain as opposed to with your fears.
Brian
Women are naturally wary of the power of male sexuality. It scares them. As such, Hillary is not a good proponent of male homosexual desires. She is not a candidate for us.
DarkZephyr
@Mo Bro: you find comments that you can’t respond to in any meaningful way “entertaining”. Interesting way to put it.
DarkZephyr
@Brian: just because she’s a woman, eh? Can you please take your woman hating elsewhere? Most gay men don’t hate women.
Captain Obvious
When Hillary starts a war, ruins our economy, gets richer, and shows her true colors I hope you remember “You made history.” because she has a vagina. Morons.
She’s literally the exact same as Trump yet you all stay completely focused on him(just like she wants) because the tv told you so.
You have a wealth of information at your finger tips on the internet and somehow still remain in the dark about her. How ridiculous.
BriBri
She’ll do nothing to protect us from MUDSLIME terrorists, she’s the American version of Angela ruin Europe Merkel. Close the borders to MUDSLIMES.
J.F. Mulligan
When Hillary Clinton ran for Senator in NY she supported the anti-gay
St. Patrick’s Day Parade. We absolutely should judge her as someone who doesn’t stand up for what is right but for what the polls predict is expedient. She has not supported our community until we have already turned the tide. Lets be honest about the assessment of Clinton, and look at her record of trampling queer organizing and communities.
AxelDC
@mw11: Clinton is the most investigated person in US history and has never even been indicted. Take your lies somewhere else.
AxelDC
@BriBri: Angela Merkel is a strong leader. We certainly could do worse, and would with Trump.
AxelDC
@ErikO: Jill Stein has never held public office, has never even gotten 0.5% in an election. She panders to antivaxxers, which is a sin for a doctor.
Clinton is the most highly qualified non-incumbent for President since Eisenhower. She has succeeded at every job she’s had. You mock our nation by promoting Jill Stein over Clinton.
GayEGO
@aquisr: You are talking about the past and people have learned since then, and I go back to the 1950’s. My lifetime partner of 54 years, married 12 years, are now both retired and living the American dream. It is because of people like Hillary that we are advancing to equality. Back in the 1960s when I was in the Navy you would be kicked out for being gay. Now that DADT is overturned, the military must accept us as equal.
Stop being negative and vote for Hillary, Trump is a disgrace to America.
GayEGO
My lifetime partner of 54 years, married 12 years in Massachusetts, are both retired and living the American dream. It is because of people like Hillary that we are advancing to equality as people learn and change to support us. I was born and raised in Idaho and in 1855 Boise had “The Fall of ’55” crisis where they sent gay professors to prison just because of suspecting them to be homosexuals. The newspaper wrote an article saying that homosexuals were monsters hiding in the park bushes at night and attacking the young teenage boys. The truth is that high school athletic jocks were looking for money and…..ahem, some fun.
Hillary supports us and we need to vote for her as the President Of The United States! My best boss was a woman and Hillary is a champion. As for the GOP candidate….Bump the Chump Trump in the Rump into the Dump.
GayEGO
@GayEGO: Whoops! I meant 1955, not 1855, but OH! OH! Trump will call me a liar! :>)
dwes09
@BriBri: According to actual events and actual reality we as LGBT people have much more to fear from the right, the religious right and the violence they cheerfully encourage against us than from the “mudslime terrorists” your manipulators have convinced you lurk inside every door. Perhaps you have not noticed that they still devote energy to convincing the other dull tools in the shed that you and your kind (us gay folks, if you actually are gay) are child molesters, no better than addicts and murderers and out to destroy all that is holy.
What is it about the right that makes them blind to the choices that actually further their own self interest!? Have you even bothered to look at the Republican platform, or read Trump’s plans regarding Marriage equality?
dwes09
@Captain Obvious: “She’s literally the exact same as Trump”
She has not stated that she intends to roll back marriage equality, Trump has.
She has sworn to defend NATO, Trump has sworn to destroy it.
She accepts the findings of scientists on such things as climate change and public health, Trump sneers at that sort of thing.
She has had a long successful political carreer, Trump has repeatedly demonstrated little knowledge of the mechanism of our government.
Fact checkers found little wrong with her speech, his was entirely formed of lies.
She is skilled in diplomacy, he does not know the meaning of the word.
Please enlighten us as to how they are even figuratively the same, let alone literally.
dwes09
@Brian: “Women are naturally wary of the power of male sexuality. It scares them. As such, Hillary is not a good proponent of male homosexual desires. She is not a candidate for us.”
I guess that explains why women are known to be attracted to gay porn, have historically been less hostile to gay men than to straight men, and love going to gay bars. I guess it also explains why Trump is sworn to roll back marriage equality through judicial appointment.
Do you ever actually think or do you always respond in the way your extreme neuroses drive you to?
Unless it is our goal to reduce our freedoms and options, Hillary is the ONLY candidate for us for Pres, and we need to support the democratic down ticket folks as well. The right overwhelmingly wants us sanitized, silenced, and hopefully back in the closet!
martinbakman
Trump will use anti-gay conservative think tanks to nominate justices, reverse marriage equality, and allow discrimination against LGBT people.
It’s time to move past problems with the Clintons.
And…
Time to turn the Senate back to the Dems.
ErikO
Hillary and Obama were bought out by Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates gave as much as $40 million to the Clinton Foundation. These countries have horrible human rights and it’s a crime to be lesbian/gay and bisexual where punishment is death.
Moreover, the level of Arab support for the Clinton Foundation, which occurred during the time Hillary Clinton was a U.S. senator, was seeking the Democratic nomination for president against Barack Obama, and was serving as secretary of state, fuels questions about the reasons for the donations. Were they solely to support the foundation’s causes, or were they designed to curry favor with the ex-president and with a potential future president?
Hillary is a domestic enemy.
John
pandering…and gays eewww and ahhh