[Linda]

In an August 30, 2008 article in the *New York Times* William Yardley wrote the following:

" Ms. Palin said she supported Alaska's decision to amend its Constitution to ban same-sex marriage. But she used her first veto as governor to block a bill that would have prohibited the state from granting health benefits to same-sex partners of public employees. Ms. Palin said she vetoed the bill because it was unconstitutional, but raised the possibility of amending the state Constitution so the ban could pass muster."

I have seen several other news reports that mentioned Governor Palin's opposition to marriage equality but contrasted it with her veto of the domestic-partner bill, making her sound like an at least slightly sympathetic person. The further information that Mr. Yardley provides clearly shows that she is no friend of the glbtq community.

Despite Governor Palin's record, Patrick Sammon, the president of the Log Cabin Republicans, issued the following statement on August 29:

"Alaska Governor Sarah Palin can help Sen. McCain win this election by appealing to independent and young voters. She's a mainstream Republican who will unite the Party and serve John McCain well as Vice President. Gov. Palin is an inclusive Republican who will help Sen. McCain appeal to gay and lesbian voters."

Neither "mainstream" nor "inclusive" seems an apt description of Governor Palin. Mr. Sammon does not explain what her appeal to gay and lesbian voters would be, and I, for one, cannot figure it out.
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Linda

[gennee]

I will have to find out more about Gov. Palin. I would like to know if she has stated somewhere her positions about same -sex unions, Transgender rights, and anti-bullying legislation.

Gennee

[Linda]

Gennee,

Governor Palin has stated her opposition to same-sex marriage, but I have not been able to find any comments by her on the subjects of transgender rights or bullying.

If anyone reading this is from Alaska, would you please write in and enlighten us on these points?
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Linda

[Linda]

According to the organization eQuality Giving, Governor Palin has not addressed many of the issues of importance to the glbtq community--which in itself says something.

The group's web site mentions that the state of Alaska does not have anti-bullying laws to protect glbtq youth. Neither does it have laws protecting people from discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression, and there is a similar lack of legislation regarding hate crimes.

You can read more at www.equalitygiving.org/Sarah-Palin-on-the-Issues-Equality-Quotes-Gay-Rights.
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Linda

[gennee]