HRC scorecard: Congress is polarized

The new edition of the Human Rights Campaign’s “Congressional Scorecard” has
found an increase in both “highly supportive” and “highly anti-LGBT”
legislators.

HRC said the findings reveal a “stark polarization.”

“A strong and devoted group of anti-LGBT legislators continues to stymie the
progress LGBT people deserve,” said HRC President Joe Solmonese. “The fact that
the first ever vote to repeal Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell in the House of
Representatives was countered by a filibuster in the Senate illustrates the
landscape.”

In the House, 145 members received a pro-gay score of 90 percent or better,
compared to 128 members in the previous Congress. Senators scoring 90 percent
or better this year rose from 32 to 36. However, the number of senators
receiving a zero score from HRC climbed as well, from 16 to 32. The number of
House zeros remained unchanged.

“As more and more Americans support equality for LGBT people, some members of
Congress are showing real leadership while others are digging in their heels to
cater to an anti-LGBT fringe constituency,” said HRC Legislative Director
Allison Herwitt.

The scorecard is based on votes and co-sponsorships regarding hate crimes, gays
in the military, employment nondiscrimination, tax equity, same-sex marriage,
same-sex partner immigration, HIV treatment, needle exchange, and the Elena
Kagan and Sonia Sotomayor Supreme Court confirmations. For full results, see
hrc.org/scorecard.

By Rex Wockner