It's time to focus on the issues at hand as the presidential candidates race for their respective party nominations. LGBT people are a diverse group of individuals, with a myriad of interests and concerns. That being said, not all gay people carry gay rights as a primary political focus. Immigration, universal health care, national security, amongst others, all reign as poll hot-tickets alongside highly contended issues such as same-sex marriage and gay adoption.

In a New York Times interview, political scientist Ken Sherrill of Hunter College, who studies the gay electorate, said lesbians and gay men are far more likely to be interested in politics than are mainstream voters. “This is a group of people whose lives are intimately affected by government policy," said Sherrill. Below is a snapshot of election discussions going on right now in the Gay Life forum. What issues are important to you this election? Take the poll, then share your voice.

Join the Discussion:

• "Am I a black man first, a gay man...? Of course I'm both, but in these days of policy the two seem mutually exclusive. I wonder if there is a candidate that can bridge the gap. Obama sure tanked with the whole hire-a-homophobic-preacher for his South Carolina rally and I'm not entirely convinced that the gay-popular Clinton will in fact improve gay life."


• "I consider myself a gay Republican, though I've leaned toward being an independent since the Republican party has become the stronghold of the religious right. I believe in the ORIGINAL values of the Republican party (limited government, strong military, etc.), not the debacle that exists today."


• "In every election since I turned 18, I have voted for the candidate that I disliked the least, not the one that I liked the most. It's sad, but true. I have little doubt that this election will be any different. I vote my conscience, not along party lines, so my vote is still very much up in the air." Chime in!

_{Photo: Mike Holland (L) and his partner Jim Gatteau © Justin Sullivan/Getty Images.}