So, Where Do the 2012 Presidential Contenders Stand on Gay Issues?

Wondering where the 2012 presidential candidates stand on issues that impact gay and lesbian Americans?

Marriage Equality USA has released an intriguing chart that maps out where all of the Republican candidates -- and Barack Obama -- stand on a number of associated issues.

Among the social and political matters mapped out are: marriage, citizenship, adoption, repealing the Defense of Marriage Act, employment policy, military service and the potential appointment of gay justices.

What is most interesting about the chart is the ability to see the staunchly conservative pattern that many of the candidates have in opposing each and every same-sex policy. In fact, Michele Bachmann, Rick Santorum, Rick Perry, Newt Gingrich and Thaddeus McCotter stand firmly planted against all of the issues presented on the chart (as you'll see, "no" runs across the board for each individual).

Candidates like Mitt Romney, Herman Cain and Ron Paul, among others, seem more open to supporting some gay rights issues. Below, read it for yourself:

Also, read a bit more about how this table was created:

Starting in August 2011, a survey was delivered to the office of each active, formally announced candidate via e-mail, web mail, and/or facsimile, and also via certified U.S. mail for which a staff member signed a receipt confirming the delivery.  Each candidate’s survey showed his or her latest stand on each LGBT issue, based on speeches made, documents signed, and interviews given.  All candidates were invited to notify MEUSA of updates to their positions as they occur, up through election day on 6 November 2012.

(h/t Mediaite)