Replacing Ramstad: DFL Contenders Positions on LGBT Issues

With the moderate Republican, Rep. Jim Ramstad leaving office in the 3rd Congressional district, there's an opening for a LGBT-friendly candidate. Three-fifths of the residents of the district oppose a state constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage and civil unions according to a poll last year by Decision Resources Ltd., and the district contains the most gay and lesbian people by population (25,993) and the second most by proportion (5.5 percent) according to research by the Williams Institute.

It shouldn't be a surprise that candidates vying for the DFL endorsement are strong supporters of equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Americans.

Blogger Eva Young has done an excellent job of obtaining answers to questionnaires sent out by the Stonewall DFL to each of the candidates in the 3rd district: Jim Hovland, Terri Bonoff and Ashwin Madia. Here are a few highlights:

Both Terri Bonoff and Ashwin Madia have members of the LGBT communitiy working on their campaigns. More specifically, both have brothers who are gay working on their campaigns. Hovland also says he is influenced by the experiences of his LGBT family members struggling to have their relationships recognized by government and society.

Bonoff has the support of openly gay Sen. Scott Dibble, while Madia has garnered the support of superstar PFLAG parents Phil and Randi Reitan.

All of the candidates support full equality in relationships, would work to repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," would increase funding for HIV prevention and care, and support a transgender inclusive ENDA.

An in-depth look at each candidates responses is important for LGBT folks in the 3rd district. Click on each name to read their responses.

Ashwin Madia

Jim Hovland

Terri Bonoff