On the eve of Super Tuesday primaries, including California, which faces the antigay Proposition 22, the Human Rights Campaign released its voting scorecard for the first session of the 106th Congress.
The analysis will help voters evaluate which candidates support legislation that will increase the quality of life for lesbian and gay Americans, said HRC.
"Electing candidates who have demonstrated leadership on gay and lesbian issues and are supporters of key legislation will have an enormous impact in the advancement and efforts to achieve equality," said HRC Political Director Winnie Stachelberg.
The scorecard reveals percentages on how the House and Senate members have voted on legislation that affects the lesbian and gay movement including the Hate Crimes Prevention Act ( HCPA ) and the Employment Non Discrimination Act ( ENDA ) .
In the House, the Democratic leadership earned a 96.0 percent and the Republican with an 8.2 percent. In the Senate, the Republican leadership rated a 2.8 percent and Democrats with a 94.3 percent. By party, Democrats rated with an alltime high in both the House and the Senate with an 82.0 and an 88.4 while Republicans rated with an 18.2 percent and a 13.0 percent accordingly. In spite of theses differences there are staunch supporters in both parties, HRC said.
The Knight Initiative/Proposition 22, brainchild of conservative California State Sen. Pete Knight, will also appear on the March 7 ballot. It would prohibit recognition of marriage for samesex couples.
"On March 7, 39 percent of American voters will be at the voting polls. A large turnout of gay and lesbian voters can provide the margin of victory that will help determine the direction of our movement not only in California but also nationwide," said Stachelberg. "Lesbian and gay Americans have the power to decide whether we continue to move forward or lose hardwon ground."
According to exit polls in 1996, five percent of all voters identified as gay, lesbian or bisexual, nearly equaling the number of Latino voters and exceeding the number of Jewish and Asian voters.
HRC is the largest national lesbian and gay political organization, with members throughout the country. It 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."
[ Outlines will have an update on Prop. 22 and other election results online later this week, go to www.outlineschicago.com . ]