365Gay Agenda Blog

I’m voting for Hillary Clinton because I believe in the possibilities of America.

And I believe that America has realized her possibilities historically only when she has worked hard for them, when sacrifices have been demanded of her, when her people struggle to find common ground.

I believe Hillary is our common ground candidate. She has proven that she can work with Republicans – that, after all, is what that Iraq vote was about. She has won respect from colleagues on both sides of the aisle.

I’m voting for Hillary because when I walked into her Harlem campaign headquarters this weekend, there was a white lesbian woman (me), a young Latino gay man, an older straight white couple, a middle aged black man, and a young black woman. All ready to make calls on her behalf. A diverse group of Americans stand with Hillary, and she stands with them.

I’m voting for Hillary because she gives a damn about the policy details. She really cares about them. On the trail, she lights up when she gives policy specifics. She is interested in finding creative solutions to old problems. And she is open to hearing those solutions from every single voter she meets.

We need a president who will not check out during Cabinet meetings. We need a president who can make her own decisions based on her own analysis of policy, not based on what his advisors say.

I’m voting for Hillary because I spent years with no health insurance, and she is now the only candidate who will deliver universal health care.

I’m voting for Hillary because she has been a member of the manufacturing caucus and the Senate Armed Services Committee. She stands up for our workers. She stands up for our vets. She believes in standing with the people who are building and fighting for America.

I’m voting for Hillary because she stood up in Beijing in 2005 – when our government and the Chinese government told her not to – and said:

“It is a violation of human rights when babies are denied food, or drowned, or suffocated, or their spines broken, simply because they are born girls. . . . It is a violation of human rights when a leading cause of death worldwide along women ages 14 to 44 is the violence they are subjected to in their own homes. It is a violation of human rights when women are denied the right to plan their own families, and that includes being forced to have abortions or being sterilized against their will.

“Women’s rights are human rights. Among those rights are the right to speak freely—and the right to be heard.”

I am a woman and I know first-hand how women are not yet equal in this country or in most countries. You only have to look at the language of the Hillary Haters to see that starkly. (Or check out Robin Morgan’s amazing opinion piece on that subject here.)

I’m voting for Hillary because I will not be swayed by pretty words from the other side. I’m a writer. I know about words. I bet Barack’s speechwriters will go on to have great careers, but I don’t know them, and I am not interested in electing speechwriters president. And it’s interesting that the debates – when the words they use are their own – have been mostly won by Hillary.

I also think about the last president who won because of his words – Ronald Reagan. Reagan began the culture wars, despite being popular with Americans who were moved by his optimism and pledge of unity.

I am voting for Hillary because in August she told gays and lesbians, “I’m your girl,” and I believe her. She is the candidate with enough experience and enough well-placed friends to eliminate Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell and move forward on the rest of our issues – from adopting children to the struggles of the gay elderly to hate crimes.

I’m voting for Hillary because she is strong. She has stood firm while the right has battered her, and still she rises. There is nothing the opposition can tar her with that they haven’t tried already. And it hasn’t worked.

I’m voting for Hillary because when she speaks to crowds, she talks about what we ALL must do to make a better America. How we’re all in this together. How it is going to take work and sacrifice and creativity from all of us. Hillary leads by helping us all see what SPECIFIC  work needs to be done, and by showing us how SPECIFICALLY we can do it.

I’m voting for Hillary because I am proud to cast a vote for America’s first woman president. Because I believe she will stand up for me, and for us.

I’m voting for Hillary because I believe in her. And because I believe in America. And because I believe that President Hillary Clinton will lead America into even brighter possibilities.