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 Presidential Candidates In First Ever Gay
Debate
by 365Gay.com Newscenter Staff
Posted: July 10, 2007 - 1:00 pm ET
(Los Angeles, California) For the first time the
leading candidates for the presidency will hold a televised debate devoted solely
to LGBT issues.
The one-hour event will be held on August 9 and
broadcast on gay network LOGO at 9:00 pm ET (6:00 pm PT) and through live
streaming video at VisibleVote08.com.
Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, John Edwards and
Chris Dodd have confirmed
they will participate. Several other Democratic candidates also may join the
debate.
The debate will be conducted with a live audience
in Los Angeles. On the panel questioning the two Democrats will be Human
Rights Campaign president Joe Solmonese and singer Melissa Etheridge.
The debate was put together by LOGO and HRC.
"In the 2008 presidential election, issues
of concern to the LGBT community have already been at the forefront of the
national conversation,” said Solmonese.
"From the repeal of “Don’t ask, Don’t
Tell” to the recent signing of a civil unions bill in New Hampshire, there is
no doubt that voters will demand answers to important questions affecting our
community."
The panelists in a statement said they plan to
cover a range of issues including relationship recognition, marriage equality,
workplace fairness, the military, hate crimes, HIV/AIDS and other important
issues.
The LGBT vote is considered a decisive electoral
force and according to exit poll data make up approximately 4 percent of the
voting population.
Los Angeles was chosen as the site for the event
because of the state’s early primary election, on February 5th, 2008.
"We're honored to give the presidential
candidates an historic opportunity to share their views directly with the LGBT
audience," Brian Graden, President, Entertainment, MTV Networks Music
Group, and President, LOGO said in a statement.
"This forum continues MTV Networks’
tradition of engaging vital niche audiences with voting and the electoral
process."
In addition to questioning by Solmonese and
Etheridge people will be able to pose their own questions through VisibleVote08.com and HRC.org.
LOGO is the owner of 365Gay.com.
©365Gay.com 2007
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