Taking a Look at Bill Richardson

Chris Crain blogs on New Mexico Governor and Democratic presidential candidate Bill Richardson's pro-gay record. Among other things:

• He signed legislation expanding New Mexico civil rights laws to include sexual orientation and gender identity. (At the time, only three other states had included transgender protections.)
• He signed an executive order in 2003 extending health insurance and other benefits to the same-sex domestic partners of N.M. state employees.
• He's on record backing full-fledged civil unions and (unlike John Kerry) opposes state-level constitutional amendments banning gays from marrying.
• While in Congress, Richardson backed military service for out gay men and lesbians. That means, unlike Al Gore, John Kerry, John Edwards, Hillary and the rest, he was anti-Don't Ask, Don't Tell when it was very uncool to be.