Gay rights group backs Giannoulias over Kirk

Senate Democratic candidate Alexi Giannoulias got the nod from the Human Rights Campaign Friday even though the gay rights group has previously supported his Republican opponent, U.S. Rep. Mark Kirk.

The endorsement, which could mean extra campaign cash and volunteers for Giannoulias in the high-profile race, came after Kirk voted against repealing the "don't ask, don't tell" policy on gays in the military. Kirk, a Naval Reserve officer from Highland Park, has long said he opposes such a repeal because he thinks it would cause disharmony in the military ranks.

Kirk supports other gay rights issues and has earned a vote rating as high as 85 percent from the campaign in recent years for his support of anti-discrimination laws and opposition to constitutional bans on gay marriage.

In 2004, the campaign backed Kirk over an openly gay Democratic challenger in his north suburban 10th District.

Giannoulias supports gay marriage and the "don't ask, don't tell" repeal.

Campaign president Joe Solmonese issued a statement saying Giannoulias, the state's treasurer, "is the progressive leader Illinois needs."

Solmonese noted Kirk "voted favorably on some" gay rights issues. But he singled out his "don't ask, don't tell" support Friday as a move that supported "discrimination that hurts our national security."