Posted on 08/19/2010 11:12:03 AM PDT by Ol' Sparky
News that conservative columnist Ann Coulter would speak at "HomoCon 2010," an event organized by the conservative gay group GOProud, prompted conservative outlet WorldNetDaily to drop her from speaking at one of its upcoming events.
Coulter defended her decision to accept the invitation, saying, "They hired me to give a speech, so I'm giving a speech. . . . I speak to a lot of groups and do not endorse them. I speak at Harvard and I certainly don't endorse their views."
But while she may have lost a WND speaking gig over it, most young conservatives I spoke to defended Coulter's decision. "I think it is terrific that Ann Coulter is speaking at HomoCon," RedState's Erick Erickson told me.
Other conservatives even went so far as to argue that supporting gay rights is inherently conservative.
"Conservatism and gay rights are actually natural allies," said S.E. Cupp, conservative columnist and author of "Losing Our Religion: The Liberal Media's Attack on Christianity." "Conservatism rightly seeks to keep the government out of our private lives, and when you strip away the politics of pop culture, it's this assertion of privacy and freedom that the gay rights movement is essentially making."This is how institutions evolve and emerge within a conservative culture," says Jon Henke, a libertarian-leaning blogger. "In time, gay people will be married, extending the valuable social institution of marriage to more people. In time, conservatives will argue that the positive impact that marriage has on the gay community is further evidence of the importance of the institution of marriage."
National Review's Dan Foster believes the changing attitudes are largely generational, but added that "a central thread of conservatism, going back to Edmund Burke, is . . . gradualism."
Change has come gradually, and it's worth noting that Coulter's decision to speak at HomoCon is merely the latest example of prominent conservatives (of all ages) lending, at least, tacit support to the cause of gay rights.
Conservative anti-tax activist Grover Norquist serves on the board of directors for GOProud, and RightWingNews, the blog site run by conservative blogger John Hawkins, has agreed to co-sponsor HomoCon.
Meanwhile, Ted Olson, the lawyer who represented George W. Bush in Bush v. Gore, the case that resolved the 2000 presidential election, recently worked to overturn Proposition 8, which banned same-sex marriages in California. Fox News host Glenn Beck recently said he thinks government should stay out of the gay marriage debate. And The Daily Caller's Tucker Carlson is speaking at an event hosted by the Log Cabin Republicans.
Note: Despite reaching out to social conservative activists and groups, few were interested in commenting on this story -- a point which is, in itself, telling. Several young conservatives I spoke with also drew a sharp distinction between opposition to gay marriage and being "anti-gay." And many who oppose gay marriage said they would be fine with domestic partnerships or civil unions.
“She’s succumbing to the perpetual adolescent outlook of the ruling elite.”
####
Elitism, has long been somewhat of a concerning predispostion of hers.
AC has long had the irritating, utterly ignorant perspective that an Ivy League education somehow makes one a cut above others.
As f#$king, if.
I agree. I’ll wait until I hear what she had to say.
she is giving a speech to Republicans.....so what? let’s wait and see what she says there before we condemn. get a grip folks.
“GOProud is using Coulter to gain respectability within the conservative movement”
BINGO! They wouldn’t be paying her $20K (or whatever her fee is) to be lectured on how wrong their special rights agenda is. They are a group of wealthy homosexuals and they know exactly what they are doing. It’s all about propaganda and normalization of their lifestyle: change the fundamental definition of marriage, indoctrinate young kids in school, etc. It’s sad that people fall for this so easily.
So, if she was giving legitimacy to the Ku Klux Klan or a conservative faction of NAMBLA by speaking at one of its events, would you be defending her?You forgot her giving legitimacy to groups who drown puppies.
Yes, I suppose there are limits to how far that I will defend Ann's actions.On the other hand, she's got a pretty good track record for "going into the Lion's Den" in the past...
...and coming out with converts for our side.So, I'll give her the benefit of the doubt -- for now -- and trust her instincts to do the RIGHT thing.
Coyote: Thought I was the only Freeper w/ gay friends, and I agree: politics and sexual preference do not correlate.
A lot of the anti-gay rhetoric on this site is well intentioned, buy unfortunate. Are there some sicko perverted homos out there? Sure. And a great many straight ones too. Being forced to live a lie to avoid persecution would bring out the worst in anyone.
If sexuality truly was a choice, the unrelenting condemnation might have merit. Of the gay friends in my circle, I’d truly have to say that they were born that way, having known some since childhood. Looking back; it was obvious.
Flame on.
I think Ann has a brother who’s gay, so that might have something to do with this.
Because they aren't conservatives and have a homosexual agenda this being used as a battering ram to erode religious freedom, parental rights and freedom of speech.
Call it damage control or call it politics. Call it whatever but the group appearing in parades just doesn't happen anymore. These parades are open to the public--anyone can attend. If there were organized NBLA banner/floats/whatever don't you think pictures of it would be all over the conservative blogosphere?
With the advent of the internet there is no reason whatsoever for them to have a visible presence.
Is pedophilia and zoophilia something beyond one's control, too?
There is NO proof, replicated or credible evidence homosexuality is genetic. It's a lie from the pit of hell and the communist movement.
There is plenty of evidence that child abuse/molestation among other factors cause homosexuality. Denying that is be brainwashed by leftists.
Homosexuals need psychological and spiritual help.
>> so sexual persuasion does not necessarily correlate with political persuation.
Really? Then explain the radical homo agenda perpetrated on America’s children.
they are open to hear Ann’s message.......and we should stop her? why?
It is disturbing that Harry Hay was a grand marshal. Amazing and frightening how some people are willing to look the other way when it comes to this sort of thing. Not to take a cheap shot, but look at how some in the Catholic church hierarchy turned a blind eye to the behavior of some of its priests.
doesn’t really matter to me. is there anyone who doesn’t know someone who is gay? or has a relation who is? please.....WND has gone off the deep end. they can her for talking to people? I think it matters what SHE says. unless Ann proves to not support the conservative views on the issue, so what?
She's free to sell out for money, just like she was free to support a RINO like Mitt Romney in the last election.
Should she fail to go after GOProud's homosexual objectives, however, I have no interest in what she says and I won't even be buying her books off the bargain bin at the Dollar Tree.
You’re not the only one! I have quite a few friends...one couple is that of the progressive liberal persuasion, but the other couples are much more conservative. I do find some of the comments sad, but that is their choice. I could care less what they do in their bedrooms or who they choose to kiss and hold hands with in public. The ones whom I am friends with are intelligent, educated, employed, loyal and do the best they can to be responsible for themselves and their families and God. Good, loyal and honest friends are very hard to come by...I’ll keep mine!
you are assuming she has views similar to the gays.......so far I have seen no evidence of that. Ann gets to give the speech in my mind, if she says something I don’t agree with THEN I might get concerned.
So if Ann agreed to speak at a NAMBLA convention and never mentioned the elephant in the room, never verbally eviscerated them, that would not be tacit approval?That's a pretty healthy qualifier.
Let's stay a little closer to REALITY, shall we?This is the same Ann Coulter who REGULARLY "speaks before" such paragons of our conservative ideals as The View, Katie Couric, James Carville, Bill Maher, Alan Colmes -- and God knows who else...
...without giving any of THEM them "legitimacy." (She cleans their clocks!)Yes, her appearances on those shows mean "more ratings" for them -- just as her speaking to the HomoCon will attract more attendees to THAT event.
But it also means that SHE will have the opportunity to win more "hearts and minds" over to our side.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.