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If Democrats retake the House, gay Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass.) could emerge as chair of the powerful Financial Services Committee. He is currently the ranking Democrat on the committee. (Photo by Alex Wong/AP)
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HOME > NEWS > NATIONAL NEWS
By: JOSHUA LYNSEN COMMENTS
 
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lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community will continue to guide her in her leadership of House Democrats.”
The Employment Non-Discrimination Act, which was first introduced in 1997, is languishing after referral to several committees and subcommittees. The measure would bar employment discrimination based on sexual orientation. The hate crimes bill was referred to a judiciary subcommittee in July 2005, and the Military Readiness Enhancement Act, which would overturn “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” was referred to a military subcommittee in March 2005.
Some conservatives noted that gay initiatives would not automatically fair better in a Democratic House.
Patrick Sammon, executive vice president of the Log Cabin Republicans, said if voters replace certain Republican lawmakers with a Democrat, there would be no political gain.
“If you replace a pro-gay Republican with a pro-gay Democrat,” he said, “that won’t change the arithmetic at all.”
Log Cabin has endorsed 26 House and Senate candidates, including equal marriage rights proponent Sen. Lincoln Chafee (R-R.I.).
“Two people who love each other should be able to marry no matter what their sexual orientation,” Chafee said in a statement to the Blade. “I oppose efforts at the federal or state level to prohibit same-sex marriage.”
Marble and other activists, however, said pro-gay voters should vote Democratic on Nov. 7.
“The bottom line is electing a Republican majority kills the progression of inclusive legislation,” he said. “The goal of maintaining a Republican majority conflicts with the interest of gay and lesbian families.”
But Sammon said Democrats are wrongly leading gays to expect too much from one election.
“It’s a mistake to think that all our goals will suddenly be accomplished if one election turns out a certain way,” he said. “The work for equality is a long struggle.”
No immediate results
Experts agreed a Democratic win next month would not produce immediate results.
“If we do take back both houses, or even one house, our community has to be a little patient,” Stafford said. “I don’t believe that we’re going to see a groundswell of LGBT legislation passing in one month or two months.”
Politicos said other key Democratic constituencies — including blacks, Hispanics an
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