Ron Paul - 2008 Presidential Candidate

As a Texas Congressman, Ron Paul served in the United States House of Representatives from 1976–1977, again 1979–1985 and currently from 1997-present. He ran for president in 1988 as the Libertarian Party candidate, even though he remained a registered republican.Ron Paul is opposed to Employment Non-Discrimination Bill that is inclusive of gays, lesbians and transgender.Ron Paul opposes a transgender-inclusive hate crimes bill. As a matter of fact, he opposes any hate crimes legislation.Ron Paul opposes same-sex marriage, but does not support a federal amendment to define marriage as only between a man and a woman.Ron Paul voted to support a ban of gay adoptions in Washington, DC in 1999.Ron Paul supports keeping the military ban on gays and lesbians. He said, "I think the current policy is a decent policy."In a candidate debate on CNN Ron Paul said about "Don't Ask, Don't Tell": "I think the current policy is a decent policy. And the problem that we have with dealing with this subject is we see people as groups, as they belong to certain groups and that they derive their rights as belonging to groups. We don't get our rights because we're gays or women or minorities. We get our rights from our Creator as individuals. So every individual should be treated the same way. So if there is homosexual behavior in the military that is disruptive, it should be dealt with. But if there's heterosexual behavior that is disruptive, it should be dealt with. So it isn't the issue of homosexuality. It's the concept and the understanding of individual rights. If we understood that, we would not be dealing with this very important problem."

About Gay Marriage

At a Values Voter Debate in September 2007, Ron Paul said, "True Christians, I believe, believe that marriage is a church function, not a state function. It's not a state function. I don't think you need a license to get married. We should define it."
Sources: CNN.com, Ronpaul 2008,Salon.com, Ron Paul's congressional newsletter