Gays are 1.7% of the population. That's not enough to be anyone's base!
Although gays comprise a small percentage of the population, gays make more money per capita, hold influential jobs (Hollywood, Silicon valley) and strongly vote Dem. But more importantly, doctrinaire Leftists consider ‘gay rights’ tantamount to the civil rights movement of the 60s, and they are willing to take a ‘principled’ stand on this issue. The Latinos and Black groups are firmly planted on the Dem plantation and will follow directives by their elite, gay-sympathizing betters. Becoming a Republican for CA Latinos and Blacks is a fate worse than death.