Cindy McCain Steps Up

While Sen. John McCain insists that he will filibuster any attempt to repeal the "don't ask, don't tell" policy, his wife, Cindy, denounces the ban in a new ad for the No H8 campaign, where she connects antigay laws to the culture of bullying that drives vulnerable LGBT youths to suicide.

Cindy and Meghan McCain have expressed their strong support for gay rights in the past, putting them at odds with their husband and father. However, Cindy's appearance in the new ad marks the widest rift yet in her public stance versus the senator, who has vowed to stop any effort to repeal the "don't ask, don't tell" policy in the lame duck session.

"Our political and religious leaders tell LGBT youth that they have no future," says McCain in the celebrity-studded ad. "They can't serve our country openly."

She even links the toxic messages sent by lawmakers to bullies who then mistreat LGBT youths.

"Our government treats the LGBT community like second-class citizens," she says. Why shouldn't they?"

Watch the ad for the No H8 campaign.