August 8, 2007
Twenty-five years ago, even before Rudy Giuliani was mayor of New York City, he made a verdict that advanced the reason of gay rights all over the country.
As the Justice Department's third official in 1982, Giuliani make it possible to hire the first openly gay attorney for a prosecutor post that required a security clearance, as per the records and interviews.
His successful thrust as mayor for domestic partnership and abhorrence crime laws in NY, make Giuliani an anomaly: a top contender of the GOP nomination who is a top supporter of gay rights.
Like the other Republican contenders in the contest, Giuliani will not be involved in presidential discussion on gay issues. But he still has worked so much to advance gay rights than any of the Democrats who will take part, a gay activist said.
"Rudy Giuliani is near the top of the list," told Matt Foreman who is head of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force. he had been an activist in New York at the same time Giuliani was mayor there.
"The challenge for those of us in the gay rights movement is to look at two things: an elected official's accomplishment while in office and whether they affirm the humanity of gay people," told Foreman.
"On that score, Mayor Giuliani has a good record," he said, giving example of the city domestic partnership rule, state hate crimes law, public favor and appointments of gay judges.
Rudy is not like many politicians. Giuliani is relaxed around gays, Foreman added, remembering how the mayor had moved in gay pride parades .
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