NEW YORK, Jan. 28 (UPI) -- For the first time in decades, the three leading Democratic presidential candidates have similar positions on issues that resonate with gay voters in New York.
U.S. Sens. Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama and John Edwards all support same-sex civil unions and favor repealing the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy, The New York Times reported Monday.
Each of the candidates has also agreed to champion a federal anti-discrimination law that would protect lesbians and gay men.
"You would need a magnifying glass to see any real or substantive differences between the three candidates," says Alan Van Capelle, the executive director of the Empire State Pride Agenda, a gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender civil rights group.
Instead of the traditional issues, gay New York Democrats are talking about the conflict in Iraq, universal health care and whether it is more important to have a president with experience or exuberance.
Pollsters estimate that lesbians and gay men make up between 5 and 13 percent of the Democratic vote in the Empire State.
