Green Party Platform:
Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual Rights
People have a basic right to decide their own sexual orientation.
The Green Party regards heterosexism-- the belief that the only legitimate form of sexual interaction is between men and women-- as a violation of human rights and dignity. We recognize the contributions of lesbian, gay and bisexual people to society and in building our movement.
The Green Party understands that HIV and AIDS problems are not restricted to the gay community. Nevertheless, the gay community has special needs in connection with AIDS. [see the "AIDS/HIV" plank]
The Green Party demands full rights for all sexual groups by:
- Promoting the social values of tolerance and acceptance to help eliminate anti-gay hatred.
- Promoting a constitutional amendment to outlaw discrimination based on sexual orientation. We should amend all anti-discrimination laws to include protection for sexual minorities.
- Legalizing lesbian and gay marriages.
- Giving lesbian and gay couples an equal opportunity to adopt children.
- Ending discrimination based on sexual orientation in all branches of the military.
- Providing for the special needs of senior gays through social service programs.
- Supporting the development of lesbian and gay studies at all levels of the educational system.
- Including lesbian and gay sensitivity training in the teacher certification process.
- Promoting positive images of gay youth, and establish gay youth centers and gay counseling.
- Fostering positive visibility of gays and lesbians in the arts, television, radio and film.
- Establishing, expanding and actively enforcing anti-hate crime laws.
- Abolishing art censorship to allow free homo-erotic and gay-positive expression.