WASHINGTON, In a presidential campaign where visceral disagreement has been
the norm between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump there is one area where they mostly agree, at least in spirit: gay rights.
Clinton has racked up endorsements from every major LGBT advocacy group, though she only officially embraced same-sex marriage in 2013, well after public sentiment had begun to shift in favor of it. She campaigned twice for the Senate and for the presidency in 2008 opposed to marriage equality but in favor of civil unions, regarded by some on the left as a frustrating half-measure.
Trump is on record opposing same-sex marriage on a policy level and selected a conservative Christian running mate in Indiana Gov. Mike Pence, who signed a controversial "religious freedom" bill in his state liberals labeled as legalized discrimination against gays and lesbians.
But in public statements and business dealings dating back years before he became a candidate, Trump showed a personal embrace of LGBT individuals relatively uncommon at the time.
Setting aside the question of marriage, which the Supreme Court answered in 2015, the candidates agree on much of the rest.
Both have attended friends' same-sex weddings. Both are sympathetic to transgender rights and have expressed opposition to laws restricting bathroom use in schools and public places to a person's physiological gender. Both have signaled they would prioritize protecting gay rights if elected.
Here's a look at their personal interactions and policy proposals on the issue of LGBT rights:
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