Clinton Calls for Unity in Speech to Gays

In his first speech since the Republican convention confirmed Bob Dole as his opponent, President Clinton told gays and lesbians in a videotaped message that “we must put aside our differences and focus on what unites us, on our common ground.”

Bidding for support in the presidential election, Clinton said his administration “has taken more steps than any other to bring the gay and lesbian community to the table.”

The speech was taped before the president went on his summer vacation for showing at the Human Rights Campaign’s first national political convention Saturday in Chicago.

“All Americans face a critical choice this November,” Clinton said. “I believe we must put aside our differences and focus on what unites us, on our common ground.”

The Human Rights Campaign endorsed Clinton for reelection in February. He has said since then that he opposes same-sex marriages.

In a statement released by the organization, executive director Elizabeth Birch acknowledged the president does not support every issue important to lesbians and gays, but said: “The best friend we have in the presidential campaign already lives in the White House.”

Detailing his support, Clinton mentioned his signing an executive order that prohibits taking sexual orientation into account for denying security clearances, his orders banning sexual-orientation discrimination in government, his administration’s commitment to fighting AIDS, and opposition to anti-gay ballot measures.

“When I ran for president in 1992, I told you about my vision for America--a vision you were and are very much a part of,” he said. ‘I’m especially proud to be the first president ever to endorse a civil rights bill that specifically includes gay and lesbian Americans.”