Bush's Comparisons Between Marriage Fairness and Dirty Politicians Off The Mark

NEWS from the Human Rights Campaign

For Immediate Release - Tuesday, Jan. 31st, 2006


Contact: Brad Luna | Phone: 202/216-1514 | Cell: 202/812-8140
Contact: Jay S. Brown | Phone: 202/216-1580 | Cell: 202/716-1650


State of the Union: Bush's Comparisons Between Marriage Fairness and
Dirty Politicians Off The Mark

WASHINGTON - President Bush delivered his fifth State of the Union
address before a joint session of Congress tonight, outlining many
challenges facing our country but not forgetting the need to appease
extremist groups.

"The President outlined many challenges facing this country that are of
concern to the American people but unfortunately felt the need to throw
his base an unnecessary and divisive crumb," said Human Rights Campaign
President Joe Solmonese. "Trying to draw comparisons between the
reprehensible acts of unethical politicians with fair and independent
judges is both ridiculous and wrong."

The President also spent a portion of his speech speaking about the
domestic HIV/AIDS pandemic saying, "More than a million Americans live
with HIV, and half of all AIDS cases occur among African-Americans. I
ask Congress to reform and reauthorize the Ryan White Act ... and
provide new funding to states, so we end the waiting lists for AIDS
medicine in America."

"It is a positive sign the President acknowledged the crisis; however,
we continue to be troubled by this administration's policies that leave
our nation's health programs underfunded and allow ideology, and not
science, to determine HIV/AIDS policy," continued Solmonese.

Additionally, in tonight's speech President Bush spoke a lot about
cutting taxes for Americans and providing health care insurance
alternatives to working families.

"If the President is truly interested in cutting taxes and providing
health care coverage for working families then he would support an end
to the tax inequity on health care benefits for gay, lesbian, bisexual
and transgender Americans," said Solmonese. "Our community is being
taxed at a much higher rate than our neighbors and the President and
Congress should act on this disparity."

Before Congress is a bipartisan piece of legislation, the Domestic
Partners Health Benefits Equity Act, which would stop the federal
government's taxation of health benefits provided by employers to any
beneficiary covered under an employee's benefits plan, including
domestic partners.

The Human Rights Campaign is the largest national lesbian, gay,
bisexual
and transgender political organization with members throughout the
country. It effectively lobbies Congress, provides campaign support and
educates the public to ensure that LGBT Americans can be open, honest
and safe at home, at work and in the community.
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