Dems Face Sharp Questions On Gay Rights

Frontrunners Challenged On Reluctance To Embrace Same-Sex Marriage

(AP) 
Clinton was cheered by the crowd when she alluded to the prospect for change at the White House in the 2008 election. Former Sen. John Edwards argued that Democrats must speak out against discrimination coming from the other party.

Unless you speak out against intolerance, it becomes "OK for the Republicans in their politics to divide America and use hate-mongering to separate us," Edwards said.

All of the Democratic candidates support a federal ban on anti-gay job discrimination, want to repeal the "don't ask, don't tell" policy barring gays from serving openly in the military and support civil unions that would extend marriage-like rights to same-sex couples.

A majority of Americans oppose nationwide recognition of same-sex marriage and only two of the Democrats support it - former Sen. Mike Gravel and Rep. Dennis Kucinich, both longshots for the nomination.

The forum brought some of those distinctions into focus.

When Kucinich was asked whether there was anything on the agenda for gay and lesbian rights he did not support, he paused and said, "All I can say is, keep those contributions coming ... and you'll have the president that you want."

In a statement clearly aimed at the leading Democrats in the field, he said his support for same-sex marriage was "a question of whether you really believe in equality."

"I stand for real equality," Kucinich said.

The forum provided some moments that challenged the candidates to talk about issues that do not often arise in a campaign dominated by the Iraq war.

Etheridge, speaking to Edwards, said she had heard he once said he felt uncomfortable around gay people - an assertion contained in longtime political strategist Bob Shrum's book "No Excuses: Concessions of a Serial Campaigner."

"I'm perfectly comfortable," Edwards said. "I know where it came from. It came from a political consultant. And he's just wrong."

Richardson was asked about a remark he made on Don Imus' syndicated radio program on March 29, 2006, when he used a Spanish word that some contend is a slur against homosexuals - "maricon." He later said he was being playful but apologized to anyone who was offended.

"I meant no harm when I said that," the governor said. "I was caught off guard."

Richardson also skirted a thorny debate on homosexuality.

When asked by Etheridge whether "homosexuality is a choice or is it biological?," he said, "I don't see this as an issue of science or definition. I see gays and lesbians as human beings."

Richardson later elaborated in a statement issued by his campaign:

"Let me be clear - I do not believe that sexual orientation or gender identity happen by choice," Richardson said. "But I'm not a scientist, and the point I was trying to make is that no matter how it happens, we are all equal and should be treated that way under the law."

Logo, available in about 27 million homes, wanted to hold a second forum for Republican candidates but front-runners in that party showed no interest, channel officials said.