Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter was honored with the Nobel Peace Prize last week, just as Congress and the Senate handed over sweeping new war powers to the sitting U.S. President.
Chicago gay activist Rick Garcia said this about Carter: “It was President Jimmy Carter who first opened the White House to the gay community. He appointed Midge Costanza as a liaison to the gay community and his administration met frequently with gay activists. In 1980, I was part of a group of gay activists that met at the White House to discuss gay/lesbian (in those days there wasn’t B & T) issues.
“I have always had a special place in my heart for President Carter and frankly, think he was the best president on gay and lesbian issues. He was the first to acknowledge this community, welcome this community into his administration and unlike the much-touted Clinton, he never signed an anti-gay piece of legislation. What a great choice for the Nobel Peace Prize.”