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---------- Forwarded Message ----------
Date: Thursday, October 12, 2000 12:06 PM -0400
From: Wayne Besen <Wayne.Besen@hrc.org>
To: HRC-YOUTH@LISTS.HRC.ORG
Subject: HRC CHARGES BUSH MISLED COUNTRY IN LAST NIGHT'S DEBATE

________________________________________________________

NEWS from the
Human Rights Campaign

919 18th Street, NW, Suite 800
Washington, DC 20006
email: hrc@hrc.org
http://www.hrc.org
________________________________________________________

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, Oct. 12, 2000


HRC CHARGES BUSH MISLED COUNTRY IN LAST NIGHT'S EXCHANGE ON EQUAL
RIGHTS FOR GAY AND LESBIAN PEOPLE

Nation's Largest Gay Group Calls on Bush and Cheney to Answer the
Questions Honestly

WASHINGTON - Gov. George W. Bush misled the country in last night's
second presidential debate by not directly answering questions
regarding gay and lesbian equal rights and hate crimes legislation,
and in doing so he parroted the language often used by the extreme
right, according to the Human Rights Campaign. HRC now calls on Bush
and his running mate Dick Cheney to answer directly whether they
would support a proposed federal law protecting gay and lesbian
Americans from job discrimination, and whether they would oppose
adding sexual orientation to existing federal hate crimes law.
         "In a country where you can be fired from your job simply
         for being gay or lesbian, George W. Bush should explain why
a law banning such discrimination is 'special rights,'" said
Elizabeth Birch, HRC Executive Director. "Does George Bush believe
laws banning discrimination based on race, religion, gender,
ethnicity are 'special rights'?" When the issue of protecting gay and
         lesbian people from job discrimination by law was raised,
Bush reiterated misleading language about "special rights." When
asked by moderator Jim Lehrer, about "special rights -- how does that
affect gays and lesbians?" Bush replied, "Well, it'd be if they're
given special protective status. And that doesn't mean we shouldn't
fully enforce laws and fully protect people and fully honor people,
which I will do as the president of the United States."
The reality is that in 39 states it is still legal to fire people
because of their sexual orientation. There is a bill in Congress to
change this. But Bush, who has failed to indicate his support,
skirted the issue in last night's debate. In fact, he was unaware of
the congressional bill, the Employment Non-Discrimination Act,
saying, "I have no idea...I don't know the particulars of this law."
         Bush also misinformed debate viewers about his stance on
         hate crimes legislation. Although Texas does have a weak
penalty enhancement statute already on the books, it does not cover
sexual orientation. Legislation was introduced in 1998 that would
strengthen the existing state law, while also adding sexual
orientation. Bush opposed this bill because it protected gay and
lesbian Texans, even after the family of African-American hate crimes
victim James Byrd Jr., of Jasper Texas, asked him to support it. Last
night, Bush pointed to the fact that the perpetrators in the Byrd
dragging death were punished, as evidence why federal hate crime laws
aren't needed. But upon closer analysis, the Jasper authorities
received a tremendous amount of assistance from the federal
government, including close to $300,000 worth of federal grant money.
This assistance was only made possible because the federal law used
to prosecute hate crimes, which has been on the books for 32 years,
covers hate crimes based on race.  This law allowed the Department of
Justice to offer assistance.
  "Bush is either ignorant of the laws in Texas or he purposely and
  willingly misled the public on his role in defeating hate crimes
legislation as governor," said Birch. "Bush shamefully opposed the
Texas bill because it protected gay and lesbian Americans. This view
is out of step with the American public, so in an effort to not turn
off moderates, Bush papered over his opposition and concealed his
extreme stance." Last night, Bush tried to appear "compassionate" by
          saying he supported a federal hate crimes bill put forth by
Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah. But this version does not include sexual
orientation. This drives home the point, according to HRC, that Bush
is squarely against any hate crimes legislation that protects gay and
lesbian Americans.
The Human Rights Campaign is the largest national lesbian and gay
political organization, with members throughout the country. It
effectively lobbies Congress, provides campaign support and educates
the public to ensure that lesbian and gay Americans can be open,
honest and safe at home, at work and in the community.

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