Excerpt from Gay.com / PlanetOut.com Network
Wesley Clark details pro-gay stances
by Christopher Curtis
November 13, 2002

I would ask the military to craft and implement a policy that ensures that everyone who wants to serve their country is permitted to do so with honor and dignity. I would ask the military to look seriously at the British policy, which prohibits sexual misconduct by both heterosexuals and homosexuals. I would then submit the new policy to Congress to replace the current 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' law.

Same-sex couples deserve the same federal benefits, rights, privileges, and responsibilities as opposite-sex couples.

Clark went on to write that he supports the Permanent Partners Immigration Act (PPIA), a bill which would allow a partner in a same-sex couple to immigrate to the United States -- something opposite-sex couples can already do. Clark also indicated he supported the rights of gays and lesbians to adopt.

Clark publicly signaled support for the first time for two key pieces of legislation - the Employment Non-Discrimination Act which would outlaw job discrimination based on sexual orientation, as well as the Local Law Enforcement Enhancement Act, which would add sexual orientation, gender, and disability to the 1968 law which currently covers crimes based on race, religion and national origin.

As part of his larger health care plan, Clark pledged to increase funding for the Ryan White CARE Act which provides critical assistance to HIV/AIDS prevention efforts as well as those living with the disease.

He also supports the Early Treatment for HIV Act (ETHA) which would allow low-income Americans better access to HIV/AIDS treatment; as well as comprehensive and age-appropriate sex education for young people based on scientific HIV/AIDS prevention methods.

In addition, Clark believes that adoption decisions should be based on the best interest of the child and that preventing qualified gay and lesbian people from adopting children is wrong. He also supports the Permanent Partners Immigration Act (PPIA) which would bring same-sex couples on par with opposite-sex couples for purposes of immigration law.