Posted on 02/09/2011 8:35:02 AM PST by 2ndDivisionVet
There’s a dangerous meme making its way across the Internets: “Does Sarah Palin support gay rights?” thanks to her almost-Libertarian response to gay GOP group GOProud’s attendance at this weekend’s CPAC. The Alaska Dispatch, writing at Huffington Post, reports Palin “told the Christian Broadcasting Network that it was a ‘scheduling conflict’ that prevented her appearance, not GOProud’s presence at the convention. And she went one step further, telling CBN that conference attendees should not so quickly dismiss the opportunity to provide a full spectrum of conservatism. News website POLITICO reports Palin alluded to the controversy that GOProud’s inclusion at the conference had caused for conservatives.”
“‘Should the GOP, should conservatives not reach out to others, not participate in events and forums that… maybe we don’t personally agree with? And I say no… I look at participation in an event like CPAC or any other event in that same vein as the more information that people have the better,’ Palin told CBN.”
But then they write, “Palin has mostly left her support or opposition to gay rights ‘open to interpretation.’ Last month, Palin re-tweeted a gay conservative’s post that was critical of the GOP’s ardent opposition to the repeal of ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,’ calling it ‘hypocrisy.’”
And so let’s stop right here and “refudiate” yet another example of journalistic malpractice.
It’s called “Google,” people, and you can use it to do something many journalists evidently have forgotten is in their job description: research.
(Or, you can just spend all your time here at The New Civil Rights Movement, where we do the research so you don’t have to.)
After the whole Palin retweet of Tammy Bruce’s DADT comment fiasco, I did a fair amount of research and wrote, “So, Where DOES Sarah Palin Stand On Gay Rights?” Here are a few highlights:
So, here you go. Sarah Palin’s positions on gay rights:
Sarah Palin is against same-sex marriage:
■Palin has said, “I am pro-life and I believe that marriage should only be between and man and a woman.” (Campaign website, www.palinforgovernor.com, “Issues” Nov 7, 2006) ■“Ms. Palin said she supported Alaska’s decision to amend its Constitution to ban same-sex marriage. But she used her first veto as governor to block a bill that would have prohibited the state from granting health benefits to same-sex partners of public employees.” (New York Times) ■“Here’s what Sarah Palin has to say about same-sex marriage. Palin said she’s not out to judge anyone and has good friends who are gay, but that she supported the 1998 constitutional amendment.” “Elected officials can’t defy the court when it comes to how rights are applied, she said, but she would support a ballot question that would deny benefits to homosexual couples. “I believe that honoring the family structure is that important,” Palin said. She said she doesn’t know if people choose to be gay.” (Anchorage Daily News, viaOnTheIssues) Sarah Palin is against spousal benefits for same-sex couples:
Q: Do you support the Alaska Supreme Court’s ruling that spousal benefits for state employees should be given to same-sex couples?
A: No, I believe spousal benefits are reserved for married citizens as defined in our constitution.
Q: In relationship to families, what are your top three priorities if elected governor?
A: 1. Creating an atmosphere where parents feel welcome to choose the venues of education for their children. 2. Preserving the definition of “marriage” as defined in our constitution. 3. Cracking down on the things that harm family life: gangs, drug use, and infringement of our liberties including attacks on our 2nd Amendment rights. (Eagle Forum 2006 Gubernatorial Candidate Questionnaire Jul 31, 2006)
Sarah Palin is on the record against “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” repeal:
For the record, Palin came out last year against repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” although she suggested her first concern about repeal was the timing — “I don’t think so right now… And I say that because there are other things to be worried about right now with the military. I think that kind of on the back burner, is sufficient for now.”
Perhaps unsurprisingly, Palin is not on the record as for or against ENDA, but given all her other positions, I would bet she’s against that, too.
Bottom line, Sarah Palin is not the blank slate the media assumes. She’s made her positions very clear. She is anti-gay, and is on the record as being so.
Thank you!
I would say more anti-gay agenda than anti-gay.
Why didn’t she just say that when asked in the interview with CBN?
It should have been easy. Why do others have to look up what should have been an easy answer to a question?
“Palin is anti-gay.”
Thanks be to God.
Why are you whining?
All Americans have rights.
Even gay Americans have the basic rights guaranteed under the constitution even the right to free speech and opinions.
If she said anything different from that I don’t know what it was.
A lot probably depends on how one defines "gay rights." Are we talking equal rights or special rights?
You get a gold star for perspicacity.
Just saying that I wouldn't necessarily trust the judgment of a blogger who previously posted the blog entry Like a rug, Sarah Palin is a Liar.
The pro-gay blogs have a reason to want to paint Sarah Palin in the worst possible light. I wouldn't give them the rope to hang her with, by pretending they are a useful source of opinion on her views.
Much better to just let her explain her position. I have a feeling she is not nearly as "anti-gay" as some of her supporters are. You don't have to be against gays to be against gays in the military, or be for traditional marriage. But until she makes it clear, I don't think we'll know one way or another.
The message is obvious. Why didn’t she say it? Because that would give the enemedia something to spin and smear with for the next two years.
Palin hates gays! Palin is intolerant! Etc., etc.
No, Palin doesn’t hate gays. As a good Christian, she wishes them well. In fact, she wishes them better.
What she will not support is gay rights ACTIVISTS, especially those pretending to be conservatives while busy kidnapping CPAC (which, I am afraid, is all too eager to go along with it).
Palin’s first concern about DADT is timing, not the policy itself.
I’m not impressed with her punting the issue off into the future.
REFUDIATE = a combination of refute and repudiate? To do so especially DEFINITIVELY? Good word! Hehe.
A lot probably depends on how one defines "gay rights." Are we talking equal rights or special rights?Really? You really had to ask that?
Depends how one defines “gay rights”.
If that means the right to be left alone and live their lives free of harassment, then yes, a whole lot of Conservatives would support gay rights.
If it means doing damage to the culture through things like “gay marriage” and adoption rights, then we do not.
Did I say any person does not have rights? Let me go look......Nope, you must be worried or something.
If she said anything different from that I don’t know what it was.
You and me both. And apparently many others didn't have a clue what it was or else there would be no need for someone to look it up.
Maybe it is because she has made her position so clear in the past, and that she did not recognize the effort by democrats and RINO’s to smear her as pro gay.
GOPride’s only purpose is to cause trouble in the conservative ranks. It is a democrat Trojan Horse.
If that is what she thinks, she had the opportunity to say it then when asked the question.
Taking a stand show character. She will be asked this again and you know it. Only difference is the questioner may not be friendly.
RE: GAY “RIGHTS”
I’ve never understood the need for more “RIGHTS” for homosexuals. What rights do they not have that all Americans have?
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