Except for Caitlyn Jenner, it seems to me as if every queer person within the 50 states is looking to support either Hillary Clinton or Bernie Sanders. If you go by the candidate’s web sites, they seem pretty similar. Both agree to do pretty much the same things. Clinton’s page uses a bit more language to say about the same thing Sanders says. So how is a LGBTQ voter supposed to decide between the two?

I’m not planning on giving you an answer to this question.

I would say that on a very basic level it won’t matter if you support one or the other, as long as you turn out and support whomever gets the Democratic nomination come this November. When you get down to it, what the President will be able to do to push LGBTQ rights forward will be about the same for both candidates, and any substantial steps forward will come from the Congress and from the Supreme Court, not from the White House.

In my opinion, LGBTQ voters would do better to turn their attention to State elections and Congressional races, because it is at these levels of government that we need to make great strides ahead. If you doubt me, look at what just happened in North Carolina and almost happened in Georgia. Recognize that a non-discrimination law has been languishing in Congress forever. Who we elect for President isn’t going to make a bit of difference in these State elections or Congressional races. (Except for turn out and what effect it may have.  A huge Democrat turnout can mean Democrats win at many levels of government. But in that case, voter turnout is the cause, not a presidential candidate specifically.)

What may be more useful for a LGBTQ voter, is to look at the bigger issues as well. What’s best for women and minorities? What’s best for the working poor? Which candidate may do more to help support the struggling middle class and help raise up many out of poverty. LGBTQ issues fit well within a larger umbrella of “those most often ignored or left out” by government action or inaction. Seeing ourselves as part of a larger coalition of individuals makes more sense than worrying about a small set of rights for some.