Gay Republican Groups Endorse Romney?

In all of my years blogging (and long before), I've never sussed out what makes gay Republicans tick. I mean, I was one in my youth, nominally. I voted for Ronald Reagan in 1984 and George H. W. Bush in 1988. And even though I voted mostly Democrat after the tragically anti-gay 1992 Republican National Convention, I don't think I changed my party affiliation until maybe 2004? But, I was never a died-in-the-wool conservative and/or Republican. I was a moderate, and identified as R only because my family always did.

But that '92 convention, with the always disgusting Pat Buchanan turned me to the left. And the right kept pushing me there. Or rather, the Republicans kept going so far to the right, that my moderate positions are now--by comparison--left wing. As a gay man, I of course identify much more strongly with progressive ideals, liberal politics. Conservatives always seem like they're trying to "out-mean" each other. While the "far left" (really just "the left") can rub me the wrong way with hyper-sensitivity, political correctness, green-this and that, and all of the stereotypes, I'd much rather cast my lot with them than with a party that in its platform actively wishes to discriminate against me. 

Mitt's "support" for gays goes way back. Image
from New Now Next.

So, what are we to make of conservative gay groups? Their very existence hinges upon two things, a) being gay and b) conservatism. The Log Cabin Republicans are a gay first, conservative second kind of group for the most part. GOProud--though it has the gayer sounding name--is more a big C conservative, tiny g gay group. Both of them have endorsed Mitt Romney. I don't understand why. At all. At all. At all. And I was going to write more than just this introduction telling you why. But you know what? Part of being a good blogger is knowing when there are better bloggers, and here is what John Aravosis of AmericaBlog (one of my inspirations to start blogging) with what amounts to my take on this odd phenomenon, but with much better writing.

[Excerpt]

Gay GOP group: Vote for Romney, he hates you

What a bizarre endorsement.  The lead gay Republican group, Log Cabin Republicans, told gay voters today that they should vote for Mitt Romney, unless they care about their civil rights, then they shouldn’t.  It was a self-contained flip-flop worthy of Mitt Romney himself. . .

Read more at: AmericaBlog

Meanwhile, on Facebook: SNL's Steffan on The Republican National Convention

Guess Who's Coming to CPAC?

Image from source, MetroWeekly

I love the headline to this piece. I don't love the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), though I do love writing about the insantity that comes out of there.  I don't love GOProud, the gay conservative group that is causing a ruckus at CPAC.  But I love the fact that they're causing a ruckus!

The members of GOProud sometimes will say that the "vast majority" of conservatives aren't anti-gay, that it's just a vocal minority who are homophobic.  I would contend that it is a bit larger than they imply, and that they aren't just vocal, they set the agenda, and sometimes are actually in office. GOProud represents a collection of people with arch-conservative views (or at least what conservatism has morphed into), who are also gay. Where the Log Cabin Republicans are gay conservatives, GOProuds are conservative gays. The size of the text there is on purpose. GOProud would comprimise on gay rights issues long before they'd consider (hell, they might not even consider) comprimising their conservative "ideals." 

Try as I might, I can't understand those ideals. When I watch Glenn Beck or Sean Hannity, listen to Rush Limbaugh or Mark Levin, read something by Ann Coulter or Michelle Malkin, or hear something by Michele Bachmann or Sarah Palin, I don't disagree with them because they're might be anti-gay, or even because they're conservative. I think they're extremists.  I think they're bonkers and/or charlatans. But GOProud is solidly in line with all of the above. Anyway, enough ranting by me. The article excerpted below is an excellent introduction to what GOProud is about. See what you think.

[Excerpt]

Guess Who's Coming to CPAC?



GOProud has taken the conservative and LGBT movements by storm by being brash, loud and uncompromisingly conservative -- and just as uncompromisingly gay. . .
 
I disagree with that last part, but the article is good. Read more at: MetroWeekly

Cenk Uygur To Gays: The GOP ''Just Isn't That Into You''

Nevada Gay Republicans Not Getting Much Support?

Nevada Republican Party 2010 State Convention.
From RightPride's Facebook Page

I would have skipped this item, were it not for the fact that I have engaged Mark Ciavola (the guy in charge of RightPride, the Nevada chapter of GOProud) in discussion a few times. He's a genuinely nice guy when not in the heat of argument, always offering to get together for coffee to hash things out.  I haven't taken him up on it because I simply find no common ground with RightPride, a virulently conservative, seemingly only tangentially gay political group. 

Their chief argument seems to be that Democrats promise all sorts of things to gay people, and then deliver little.  It isn't an entirely wrong argument, but it is mostly wrong.  Democrats may deliver some weak tea when we're asking for strong coffee (there you go, Mark!), but at least they are serving something. The Republican Party often tries to take whatever we're asking for away, sometimes after we've already gotten it.  Very often, they are successful.  In Texas for instance, they're trying to make gay marriage a crime rather than just ignoring it (not to mention criminalizing sodomy, which would endanger a lot more than just the gays).  The other problem is, if you subtract "the gay" from RightPride's political agenda, you've got a FReeper.  A Palin loving, tea bagging, Obama's a commie, Nancy Pelosi is a succubus, Harry Reid is the devil, Karl Rove worshipping, Glenn Beck watching, true believer. 

Small wonder then that their message doesn't seem to be going very well.  For instance, they've had a Facebook page since October of last year, and presently they are "liked" by 327 people.  And I'm one of them!

[Excerpt]

Gay Old Party?  Republicans reach for more homosexual voters by Election Day

If Republicans hope to win big in November, they'll have to hold on to as many older, white and largely straight voters as possible -- because Nevada's minority and independent voters aren't buying the latest GOP sales pitches cocked squarely in their direction. . .

Read more at: Las Vegas City Life

Thanks to Stupid Monkey Planet for the link

Don't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal Has FreeRepublic Flying Its Hate Flag

Typical attempt at right-wing humor found at source, FreeRepublic

I've mentioned a couple of times on the blog a group called RightPride. They're the local Nevada off-shoot of GOProud, a way more conservative version of the pro-gay GOP group, The Log Cabin Republicans.  I've been keeping tabs on them via Facebook and Twitter, but have mostly stopped that practice due to extreme frustration.  RightPride see, is a FOX "News" watchin', Sarah Palin lovin', tea bagging, full-fledged far right group of arch conservatives.  Subtract the "gay" part, and they would be indistinguishable from the denizens of FreeRepublic.com

Wait, maybe that's a little harsh.  While they rub elbows with the likes of Ann Coulter and Karl "Turd Blossom" Rove, they for the most part have been less overtly hostile than FReepers.  But it's a fine distinction. I've just found that directly engaging them in conversation is an exercise in futility. Yeah, they're gay, but that is the only thing we have in common beyond being carbon-based life forms.  I tried--fruitlessly (hah!)--to explain how hateful far-right wingers usually are to gay people, and offered FreeRepublic as an example.

Over there, you'll find many charming (read: fire breathing) posts about many topics. Several of them are divided into categories, the relevant one here being labelled, "homosexual agenda."  That phraseology--along with the need for such a category at all--probably will tip you off to the fact that it is not for fans of gay people.  There you will find--especially if the subject matter hits their wheelhouse--that Freepers feel free to say anything that comes to mind about gay people, no matter how nasty.  If anyone from RightPride has wandered by this post, please take a look at just a few quotes found today in response to the potential revocation of the Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy in the military (with some minor censoring).

Sidebar: Several nations--including allies Israel and Great Britain--allow gays to openly serve in their militaries. Recent polls also show that around 75% of Americans are in favor of lifting the DADT policy.

[Excepts]

"Don't Ask" Repeal Deal May be Imminent

"If there is a silver lining it is probably that the f*gs will all finally find another way out of the service and go home with the win under their belt. “Mission Accomplished”. Their “service” had nothing to do with “service to their country”. If it was, flaunting their f*gness would have been unimportant. This was about acceptance of their perverted lifestyle."

"Why don’t we just lay down our arms now and surrender to China. It’s inevitable."

"Come on Republicans this is an easy one. Obama and the Democrats are putting f*gs before national security. This is not only inappropriate but stupid."



"Obama and the Democrats are putting Sodomy before national security. This is not only inappropriate but immoral."

"These seditious SOBs will never satiate their reprobate minds until they have completely destroyed this nation."

"This would be yet another public condoning and encouraging of sinful behavior by the United States government. A slap in the face to God."

"The Democrats and the STUPID people that voted for them have succeeded at DESTROYING our fine Military!!"

"Everyday day there is a new outrage. What will be the straw that finally breaks the camel’s back and starts the OPEN Rebellion? That time is drawing closer and closer."

"Johnny will be prancing off to war soon."

"Homosexuality is a mental illness and the mentally ill have no place in the military."

Found here: FreeRepublic

Nice group you're cozying up to, RightPride.

Bare Chested Boys for McCain!

Uh, these guys do know that they'll now be the desktop wallpaper or screen saver on every Log Cabin Republican's computer now, right?




Source: Kenneth in the (212)

Sarah Palin Thinks Being Gay is a Choice

Here's a head's up to Sarah Palin from someone who knows: Being gay is not a choice. Remind me again why the Log Cabin Republicans are endorsing John McCain and Palin?

Log Cabin Republicans Endorse John McCain

Image from source, TowleRoad

I've known a few gay Republicans. I even could understand a little why they could stay in a party that outwardly loathes them. Outside of the gay thing, the rest of the party platform appealed to them. The biggest one would be economic policies, and the other social issues are usually sticky points for them.

But after the last eight years, where fiscal responsibility has gone out the window, I really don't see what is in it for them. Add to that what seems to be growing rather than waning hostility toward gay people, and I have to conclude that they're staying Republicans because of some sort of Stockholm Syndrome.

Now, the prominent gay Republican group, Log Cabin Republicans, has endorsed John McCain for President. McCain and his running mate have abysmal records as it pertains to gay rights, and many other social issues. Barack Obama--while stopping short of same-sex marriage rights--has been remarkably supportive. So what gives? Is this like "Jews for Jesus?" I really don't get it.

[Excerpt]

Log Cabin Republicans Endorse 'Maverick' John McCain for President

The Log Cabin Republicans endorsed John McCain for president today following a 12-2 vote by the group's national board of directors, Roll Call reports. . .

Read more at: TowleRoad

Log Cabin Republicans and the 2008 Election

I've said before that I really don't understand the Log Cabin Republicans. To the uninitiated, LCR is the biggest organization of gay and lesbian Republicans. I don't know if they embrace the full alphabet soup "GLBTQ," but they've got the GL. Anyway, given the nature of the current Republican Party, I just can't for the life of me figure out why any gay person would identify as such.

But they do. So I got to wondering who they're supporting for President this year. While gay issues have been rather back-burnered this political season, the issue does crop up. And the Republican contenders have quite a negative response to gay issues. Even the two who used to be more amenable--Rudy Giuliani and Mitt Romney--have flipped and flopped and faked an anti-gay cred in order to try to get elected.

As it turns out, the Log Cabin Republicans have not yet endorsed a candidate. I find this a little odd. Yes, the year is only three weeks old, but this primary season was rather famously ramped up this time. Could it be they have an embarrassment of riches to choose from? Heh. I'm thinking not.

But the LCR website does have a run-down of each major candidate's positions, which is interesting reading, should you want to check it out. But by the time you get to the bottom of the list, you'll wonder. . .where's their choice?

Log Cabin Republicans