Debating gay-specific questions

The National Black Justice Coalition, a civil rights organization dedicated to supporting LGBT people of color, is co-sponsoring Monday’s debate along with CNN and the Congressional Black Caucus Institute.

NBJC executive director and CEO, Alexander Robinson, said that while issues that impact African Americans will be the main focus of the debate, his organization has suggested some gay-specific questions to CBCI.

“Ultimately, the questions asked will be determined by CNN producers and Wolf Blitzer,” Robinson said, noting that Edwards, Obama and Clinton have all addressed questions in previous debates about same-sex marriage/civil unions, ending "don't ask, don't tell," and HIV/AIDS funding.

“What we haven't heard is just how they might differ in their approaches to achieving equality and justice for LGBT people or what, if anything, they believe and understand about the special challenges faced by black LGBT people -- in particular, recent news reports that young black gay men are experiencing significant increases in new cases of HIV, and the epidemic of homelessness in our communities.”

Certainly, it will be interesting to see if a question about LGBT issues makes it into the mix on Monday.