Posted on 04/15/2002 7:35:35 AM PDT by mondonico
Facing the gay gestapo
By Tammy Bruce
From The Advocate (via FrontPageMag.com), April 16, 2002
I thought I knew what it was like to be on the outside. Most of us gay and lesbian people think we do. After all, we live our lives, out or not, knowing we are on the fringes of society. As a very out feminist gay woman, former leader in the National Organization for Women, I thought I knew what it was like to be at odds with the Establishment. Boy, was I wrong!
You see, it wasn’t until I came out as a dissenter against certain policies of the left-wing political establishment that I learned what it is like to be on the “wrong side” of an issue. These days to be a dissenter from inside the Left means to be isolated, questioned, and distrusted by our own. We know the terms: “self-loathing,” “right-wing shill,” with the cruelest cut meant to be “conservative.”
In my book, The New Thought Police, I challenge the hypocrisy in the feminist and gay establishment on issues of freedom of expression and liberty. When it was released I came face-to-face with the “accusation” of being—gasp!—a conservative. As soon as the book hit the shelves a friend and current leader in NOW, Carol (a pseudonym), called me at home. “What happened to you?” she cried, truly hurt by what she thought was my embrace of conservatism. “I knew talk radio would ruin you!” she proclaimed, referring to my being a radio talk-show host and revealing the fear the Left has of unbridled discussion of the issues. She hadn’t read my book, but even the fact that I had the gall to publicly announce the emperor was stark naked was, for her, indeed a betrayal.
Carol’s reaction was not unique, and that was especially troubling. I spent almost a decade in the trenches working on civil rights issues for women and gays. I’m the same pro-choice feminist I always was. So why were some who knew me so ready to presume I had been abducted by aliens and transformed into the dreaded conservative?
To label someone conservative in our community is meant to cross a line through that person’s name—to associate us with religious fanatics and fundamentalists. Ironically, in all my work I have found that the genuine conservative, who champions the traditional American value of individual liberty, is upholding the values that make it possible for everyone, especially gays and lesbians, to live our lives as we choose.
I am a lesbian, I am pro-choice, and I am a gun owner. Carol is pro-choice, straight (well, none of us is perfect!), and an ardent gun-control advocate. The heart of our conversation revolved around the fact that individual liberty doesn’t necessarily mean being different from everyone else nor marching in lockstep—it means being free to make the choices that best suit us. We knew we would always disagree on certain issues, but this time it was different for her.
"You voted for Reagan!” is how Carol articulated that last straw, that thing that exposed my supposed dangerous conservative underbelly. I told Carol that the same principles that compel me to be pro-choice also oblige me to vote my conscience. Yes, I voted for Reagan in 1984. I also voted for Michael Dukakis in 1988 and (now to my dismay) Bill Clinton. Twice. In 2000, I voted for George W. Bush (with pride). What does all that make me? I hope a thoughtful person.
Funny, isn’t it? The values that allow us to be us—belief in personal liberty and freedom of expression (think Dr. Laura)—are now labeled as conservative ideals by the left-wing establishment. I support Dr. Laura because she has the right to say whatever she pleases, without having to face a gay gestapo for using an unauthorized word to describe us.
I told Carol that if she wants to call me a conservative, fine. But I asked that she should be aware of what principles she and the establishment are throwing into that bucket. In truth, if those who defend liberty are to be defined as conservative in today’s political climate, then I’m proud to wear that label—as proud as I am of “feminist,” “gay,” and “pro-choice.”
Back in the 60s, America's counterculture was screaming for the governemnt to stay out of their lives.
Then something happened. Some of those counterculture types were, or have turned out to be, conservative, pro-family, pro-religious freedom.
Suddenly those who were still on the left lost a good portion of their base. Hence the call for increased government intrusion. Ironic, isn't it.
Well, first I'd outlaw Zima "beer".
So, if advertisers decide no more gays on television, that's okay with you?
Warrior's biggest need, other than a new coach, owner and GM, in my opinion is some big guys who can score and move. Fortson, Dampier and Foyle are big but not very athletic.
Rumors are that Van Gundy is interested in coming here.
That says it all. I'd take Williams, though he may never amount to much on the Warriors. I would stay away from Ming.
PG: Jason Williams, Bob Sura
SG: Jason Richardson, Gilbert Arenas, Larry Hughes (he could be a servicable backup)
Sura and Arenas can play both PG and SG.
Warriors would be set at guard.
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