Touted as the "most pro-gay presidential candidate ever," Sen. John Kerry's
campaign has announced a "Pride Across America" program targeting the
homosexual community with booths at 60 "pride" events in 22 states over the
summer months.

"It's exciting for us because it's an investment the campaign and the DNC
[Democratic National Committee] are making in the LGBT [Lesbian, gay, bisexual,
transgendered] community," said Mark Seifert, director of Kerry's LGBT outreach
effort, according to Gay.com.

Another related program is "Ripple of Hope," an online fund-raising drive
seeking to raise $500,000 in small donations from the homosexual community by
the end of June.

"Out for Kerry 2004" buttons and flyers will be featured in the "Pride Across
America" effort, which will compare the Massachusetts senator's record on
homosexual issues with President Bush's.

The candidate's "LBGT for John Kerry" page features a "Kerry Pride Guide," with
a "Kerry Pride Toolkit" that includes postcards, flyers and sign-up sheets.

Over the past several years, Kerry has had a "100 percent score" on homosexual
issues from homosexual groups such as the Human Rights Campaign, according to
his campaign website.

Kerry opposes a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage, supports
Vermont-style civil unions and wants to lift a ban on homosexuals in the
military.

In a letter supporting the effort, Kerry stated he is "committed to using the
power of the White House to advance equal rights for all Americans, including
gay Americans."

"We don't need a constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage," he said. "We
need to find a way to provide all American families will full and equal
rights."

Rep. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wisc., a lesbian, has touted Kerry as "the most pro-gay
presidential candidate ever."