• Sarah Palin has clearly expressed that she does not
support anything which goes beyond the traditional marriage
between a man and a woman. Her support for same-sex marriage
continues only as long as it does not redefine the traditional
definition of marriage.
 
• Although Sarah Palin is willing to provide equal rights
to the same-sex couples and prevent any discrimination which
happens due to this reason, she has denied support for same-sex
marriage.

• Sarah Palin is well known for having vetoed a bill as
Governor of Alaska which denied the state from providing health
benefits to same-sex couples. Her stand was that it would have
been unconstitutional to have passed such a bill although she did
admit making amendments in the constitution to convert the bill
into law.
 
• Although Sarah Palin did not agree with the ruling of
the Supreme Court of providing state benefits to same-sex
partners, she decided to abide by the law saying that since she,
as a Governor, did not have any legal options left it would be
unconstitutional not to obey.

• Saying that she was not aware if people chose to be gay
on their own, Sarah Palin refused to support any rights provided
to homosexual couples as she felt that that it was in violation
of the traditional family structure.
 
• Sarah Palin has further made her stand clear on the
same-sex issue by supporting the teachings of creationism in
schools and by maintaining ties well known conservative groups
like Family Research Council who have declared themselves to be
anti-gay.
		

• All through his 2008 campaign, Barack Obama had been a
staunch supporter of gay rights and had proved that stand by
sponsoring legislation in the state of Illinois which aims to ban
any discrimination which is based on the sexual orientation of a
particular individual. 

• Being a firm believer in gay equality, Barack Obama
supports the Employment Non-Discrimination Act which provides
consideration for sexual orientation and gender identity. This is
in response to a personal observation made by Obama that although
many employers extend benefits to the families of their
employees, there are some who still practice discrimination
because of the sexual preference. 

• However, Obama does not support same-sex marriage saying
that it is an issue which should be decided by each of the states
individually by taking into account their existing social
conditions. While he opposes same-sex marriage, he supports civil
unions between same-sex couples.
 
• Reacting to the 'don't ask, don't tell' policy of the
military, Obama has taken the stance that the criteria for
military service should be patriotism towards one's country, a
sense of duty and responsibility and the willingness to serve in
such a service. In such a situation, he is against the present
policy of decommissioning soldiers on the basis of their sexual
orientation as he feels that this is akin to going against the
goals of national defense.
 
• Continuing his role as a protector of children, Obama
believes that a healthy and loving home is the right of every
child and should be granted to him irrespective of the sexual
orientation of the parents. 
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• In January 2008, Obama addressed homophobia in the
African-American community.  He was speaking to 2,000 worshippers
on the eve of the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday at one of the
nation?s premier black churches, Atlanta?s Ebenezer Baptist
Church, where King once preached. He stated, ?If we are honest
with ourselves, we'?ll acknowledge that our own community has not
always been true to King?s vision of a beloved community, we have
scorned our gay brothers and sisters instead of embracing them.