Portrait of Hillary Clinton
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Hillary Clinton on LGBTQ+ Rights

Strong advocate for equality (strong)

Hillary Clinton is a strong advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and equality, a position she has articulated consistently across her career in various high-profile roles.

As Secretary of State, she significantly advanced LGBTQ+ rights on the global stage, famously stating that “gay rights are human rights, and human rights are gay rights.” During this tenure, she enforced anti-discrimination regulations within the State Department and championed the first-ever U.N. Resolution on LGBT Human Rights.

Domestically, her advocacy includes pushing for federal non-discrimination legislation to protect LGBTQ+ Americans in employment and supporting efforts to end harmful practices like conversion therapy for minors. Clinton praised the Supreme Court's decision in Obergefell v. Hodges legalizing same-sex marriage but maintained that more work is needed to ensure full equality under the law, such as ending discrimination in housing and employment.

Her position has evolved on marriage equality; while she previously opposed it in the 1990s and early 2000s, she publicly declared her support for marriage for lesbian and gay couples as a matter of policy and law by 2013. This shift reflects a broader evolution consistent with the Democratic Party platform and changing public opinion, which she acknowledged by stating, "You helped change a lot of minds. Including mine."

Timeline

  1. Supported her husband's Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA).
  2. Stated in a Senate speech that marriage between a man and a woman was a "fundamental bedrock principle."
  3. Dodged a question about whether she agreed with a military chairman's statement that homosexuality was immoral.
  4. As Secretary of State, she stated on the global stage, "gay rights are human rights, and human rights are gay rights."
  5. Declared personal and policy support for marriage for lesbian and gay couples.
  6. Released a plan calling for the passage of the Equality Act and to end conversion therapy for minors.

Actions Taken

  1. Legislation/Advocacy
    Championed legislation in the U.S. Senate to address hate crimes and fought for federal laws against workplace discrimination for LGBT Americans.
  2. Policy Change/Foreign Policy
    As Secretary of State, she enforced stronger anti-discrimination rules within the State Department and updated policy to allow transgender individuals' passports to reflect their true gender.
  3. International Diplomacy
    Led the effort to pass the first-ever U.N. Resolution on LGBT Human Rights and launched the Global Equality Fund to advance human rights abroad.
  4. Policy Statement
    Expressed support for marriage equality for lesbian and gay couples as a matter of policy and law.
  5. Legislative Support
    Called on Congress to pass the Equality Act to clarify that discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation is illegal sex discrimination.
  6. Public Statement
    Tweeted opposition to North Carolina's House Bill 2 (HB2), stating that LGBTQ+ people should be protected from discrimination under the law.

Key Quotes

gay rights are human rights, and human rights are gay rights.

Geneva Conference January 1, 2011 — Statement made while serving as Secretary of State.

I support marriage for lesbian and gay couples. I support it personally and as a matter of policy and law embedded in a broader effort to advance equality and opportunity for LGBT Americans and for all Americans.

Statement on Marriage Equality March 1, 2013 — Declaration of her full support for same-sex marriage.

We must do more to end discrimination against the transgender community. Hillary believes no one should be held back from fully participating in our society because of their gender identity.

Campaign Website Policy Statement January 1, 2016 — Stating commitment to transgender rights protection.

LGBT people should be protected from discrimination under the law—period.

Twitter Post March 1, 2016 — Response to North Carolina's HB2 law signing.

Related Positions

  • hate-crimes-legislation She championed legislation in the Senate specifically aimed at addressing hate crimes, which often includes protections for sexual orientation.
  • transgender-rights Her policies as Secretary of State and presidential platform specifically addressed the rights and recognition of transgender individuals.
  • hiv-aids-policy Her plans have included commitments to lowering the cost of HIV treatment and continuing efforts toward an AIDS-free generation.

Comparison

  • Evolution on Marriage Equality: Her current support for marriage equality contrasts with her past position when she backed the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) in 1996 and described marriage as being between a man and a woman in 2004.
  • Party Alignment: Her current, strong advocacy aligns her with the mainstream modern Democratic Party platform, which contrasts with the historical opposition from many Republicans on the issue.