CONTACTStaffCAREER OPPORTUNITIESADVERTISE WITH USPRIVACY POLICYPRIVACY PREFERENCESTERMS OF USELEGAL NOTICE
© 2024 Pride Publishing Inc.
All Rights reserved
All Rights reserved
By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Private Policy and Terms of Use.
An aide to President Obama, being grilled on LGBT issues at the Netroots Nation conference Friday, said a 1996 political questionnaire that asserted Obama's support for marriage equality was filled out by someone else.
Daily Kos associate editor Kaili Joy Gray (pictured, left) questioned Dan Pfeiffer, Obama's communications director, extensively about gay issues and other progressive concerns at the conference, an annual gathering of new-media activists, held this year in Minneapolis.
She asked Pfeiffer about a questionnaire submitted to Outlines (now Windy City Times), a Chicago LGBT newspaper, in 1996, when Obama was running for Illinois state senator -- his first run for office. It was sent by his campaign office to Outlines reporter Trudy Ring, now The Advocate's copy editor.
Gray noted that on the questionnaire he said, "I support same-sex marriage, and would fight efforts to prohibit such marriages." She said that Obama's position seems to have evolved from being more supportive of civil rights to less supportive. "Is the president going to evolve again and get back to supporting civil rights on gay marriage?" she asked Pfeiffer.
Pfeiffer responded, "If you actually go back and look, that questionnaire was actually filled out by someone else, not the president." However, it does bear Obama's signature. Pfeiffer contended that Obama has been consistent in opposing marriage rights but that his position is evolving because of his interactions with gay people.
Windy City Times posted a news item Friday standing by its reporting and noting that another 1996 Obama questionnaire, for the now-defunct Illinois political action committee Impact, contained similar statements supporting marriage equality.
Gray also repeatedly asked Pfeiffer about implementation of "don't ask, don't tell" repeal, saying, "So when are you going to stop kicking people out of the military?" According to the National Journal, "Each time, he gave her some version of 'soon.'"
Read more here, and watch the exchange on same-sex marriage via AmericaBlog Gay here.
Want more breaking equality news & trending entertainment stories?
Check out our NEW 24/7 streaming service: the Advocate Channel!
Download the Advocate Channel App for your mobile phone and your favorite streaming device!
From our Sponsors
Most Popular
Here Are Our 2024 Election Predictions. Will They Come True?
November 07 2023 1:46 PM
Meet all 37 of the queer women in this season's WNBA
April 17 2024 11:24 AM
17 Celebs Who Are Out & Proud of Their Trans & Nonbinary Kids
November 30 2023 10:41 AM
Here Are the 15 Most LGBTQ-Friendly Cities in the U.S.
November 01 2023 5:09 PM
Which State Is the Queerest? These Are the States With the Most LGBTQ+ People
December 11 2023 10:00 AM
These 27 Senate Hearing Room Gay Sex Jokes Are Truly Exquisite
December 17 2023 3:33 PM
10 Cheeky and Homoerotic Photos From Bob Mizer's Nude Films
November 18 2023 10:05 PM
42 Flaming Hot Photos From 2024's Australian Firefighters Calendar
November 10 2023 6:08 PM
These Are the 5 States With the Smallest Percentage of LGBTQ+ People
December 13 2023 9:15 AM
Here are the 15 gayest travel destinations in the world: report
March 26 2024 9:23 AM
Watch Now: The Daily
Trending stories from our video partner Advocate Channel.
For more videos and shows go to advocatechannel.com.
Trending stories from our video partner Advocate Channel.
For more videos and shows go to advocatechannel.com.
Latest Stories
Maine signs trans and abortion sanctuary bill into law, despite violent threats
April 25 2024 11:39 AM
Terrorist threat stops Nashville disc golf tournament with transgender player
April 25 2024 10:40 AM
Harvey Weinstein's sex crime conviction overturned in New York, new trial ordered
April 25 2024 10:27 AM
Alleged Minneapolis mass shooters charged after killing one at LGBTQ+ punk rock show
April 25 2024 10:21 AM
Gay Pennsylvania Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta wins Democratic primary for auditor general
April 25 2024 7:30 AM
Meet the transgender minister representing LGBTQ+ rights in Georgia
April 25 2024 6:30 AM
How a lesbian's triumph on the Portland Timbers billboard broke barriers
April 24 2024 4:52 PM
‘Faces of Gun Violence’ exhibit unveiled at inaugural survivors’ summit
April 24 2024 4:46 PM
Trans woman Andrea Doria Dos Passos beaten to death in Miami Beach; arrest made
April 24 2024 4:36 PM
TikTok may be banned in the U.S. after Biden signs new law — Why?
April 24 2024 3:43 PM