1640 Rhode Island Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20036
(202) 628‐4160
(202) 347‐5323 Fax
www.hrc.org
2008 Presidential Questionnaire – Senator Barack Obama
“The Human Rights1Campaign envisions an America where lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people are ensured
of their basic equal rights, and can be open, honest and safe at home, at work, and in the community.”
1640 Rhode Island Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20036
(202) 628‐4160
(202) 347‐5323 Fax
www.hrc.org
2008 Presidential Questionnaire – Senator Barack Obama
“The Human Rights Campaign envisions an America where lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender
people are ensured of their basic equal rights, and can be open, honest and safe at home, at work, and in
the community.”
1.
Currently, there is no federal law protecting individuals from job discrimination on the
basis of sexual orientation or gender identity. Qualified, hardworking Americans can still be
denied job opportunities, fired or otherwise be discriminated against just because of their sexual
orientation in 33 states and because of their gender identity in 42 states As president, would
you support and work for passage of a federal bill that would prohibit job discrimination based
on sexual orientation and gender identity?
Support
Oppose
Comments: I believe the Employment Non-
Discrimination Act should be expanded to include sexual orientation and gender identity. I
sponsored legislation in the Illinois State Senate that would ban discrimination in employment
on the basis of sexual orientation.
2.
Currently the federal hate crimes law does not protect all Americans from bias‐
motivated violence. Would you support federal legislation that adds sexual orientation, gender,
gender identity and disability to existing federal law giving authority to the federal government
to investigate and prosecute violent crimes (H.R. 1592)? This authority already exists for crimes
committed because of the victim’s race, color, religion and national origin and because they
were attempting to exercise a federally protected right.
Support
Oppose
Comments: I am a co-sponsor of the Local Law
Enforcement Enhancement Act, which would expand federal jurisdiction to reach violent
hate crimes perpetrated because of the race, color, religion, national origin, sexual
orientation, gender identity or physical disability of the victim.
3. New treatments have improved the quality of life for those living with HIV/AIDS, but those
treatments are expensive, and not available to everyone who needs them. Years of flat‐funding
for the Ryan White Care Act has forced states across the country to institute waiting lists, limit
1
formularies, and other cost containment measures. The CARE Act provides access to life‐saving
treatment and care for over half a million low‐income Americans with HIV/AIDS.
Would you support increased funding for this critical program?
Support
Oppose
Comments: Throughout the reauthorization process of
the Ryan White Care Act (RWCA), I worked closely with RWCA service providers, the
Chicago Department of Public Health, and the Illinois Department of Public Health to
analyze and find ways to improve the program for Illinois and for the nation. I will continue
to protect the multifaceted care upon which RWCA beneficiaries depend.
4.
Would you support the Early Treatment for HIV Act (ETHA), S. 860, federal legislation
that would allows states the option to provide Medicaid coverage to low‐income, HIV positive
Americans. Currently, only Americans that can be considered disabled are eligible for
Medicaid coverage, excluding those who are HIV positive but have no symptoms of the
disease?
Support
Oppose
Comments: I have co-sponsored legislation to bring
Medicaid coverage to low-income, HIV-positive Americans.
Would you support increased funding for HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment and research?
Support
Oppose
Comments:
5.
Would you support the Responsible Education About Life (REAL) Act which would create a
federal grant program to channel money to states that choose to teach comprehensive and age‐
appropriate sex education for America’s students that includes science‐based prevention
methods?
Support
Oppose
Comments: In addition to supporting the REAL Act, I am
also an original co-sponsor of the Prevention First Act, which will increase funding for family
planning and comprehensive sex educa...