You probably didn't like J Edgar Hoover, either, but that doesn't change the fact that numerous gays are Conservative in every way but sexual orientation.
Posted on 07/08/2002 12:27:28 PM PDT by Michael2001
They are the "Homocons", a new force in American politics which is helping to force the right to take up the issue of gay rights. Gay Republicans claim they will play an important role in this year's elections. Already they are credited with a federal law recognising the rights of same-sex partners.
New gay Republican organisations are being formed and existing groups are mobilising in support of candidates sympathetic to their aims, challenging the homophobic Christian right in the party. They claim that up to a third of gay voters are Republican and plan to use that clout in marginal seats.
The significant legislative victory resulting from this new gay influence- the Mychal Judge Act - was passed last week.
The act, which allows federal death benefits to be paid to the same-sex partners of firefighters and police officers who die in the line of duty, was prompted by September 11.
It was greeted by the biggest American gay organisation, the Human Rights Campaign, as a "milestone" for gays.
Traditionally the gay movement has been seen as belonging to the liberal left. About 70% of gays and lesbians voted for the Democrat candidate, Al Gore, in the 2000 election.
But the emergence of prominent conservative gay commentators and the increasing influence in government of the gay pressure group the Log Cabin Republicans has led to a redefining of gay politics which has not been welcomed by all.
"They're here, they're queer - they're conservative!" the cover of the latest Nation magazine, the traditional organ of the liberal left, exclaims. Inside Richard Goldstein, author of The Attack Queers: Liberal Society and the Gay Right, examines the rise of the conservative gay movement.
"If the very concept of an out-and-proud conservative seems like an oxymoron, you haven't been following the gay right's march across the American media," he writes, naming Andrew Sullivan, Camille Paglia and Norah Vincent as the conservative writers he sees as the "hot gay pundits".
Goldstein's argument is that the gay liberation movement is in danger of being taken over and made "virtually normal"; gay people being encouraged to have a lifestyle that comes as close as possible to that of heterosexuals with gay marriage a main goal.
But the Log Cabin Republicans, called after Abraham Lincoln's proud assertion that he was born in a log cabin, say that Goldstein's views are the reactionary ones.
The group, founded in 1978 in California to fight anti-gay legislation, argues that 25 to 30% of gay voters are Republican and that it is time their views were recognised. It has 11,000 members.
"In the past the gay experience in the US was like the immigrant experience," its director of public affairs, Kevin Ivers, said yesterday. "You went to the big cities like New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Miami and you lived in the ghetto where there was a rigid structure, from what you wore to how you voted. That's all changed now.
"You are talking about a significant group of between a quarter and a third who vote Republican. Goldstein is like an old communist die-hard yearning for the days of Stalin."
The low point for gay Republicans, he said,was the party's 1992 convention, when Pat Buchanan excoriated gays and feminists.
Since that time, "when we were like the ultimate skunks at the picnic", they had organised throughout the country and won significant victories.
There were now "out" gays in the Bush administration, he said, and he believed there would soon be many more.
This year's national elections were crucial for gays in the party, he said, since many moderate Republicans faced tough battles and would need the gay vote in their constituencies. "We can make the difference in this election and that's a message that gets right up to the top of the party."
Conservative gay columnists have joined the debate. Norah Vincent, one of Goldstein's "hot gay pundits", wrote in the LA Times: "We homocons are pursuing goals that are just as noble as those of gay liberals; we simply pursue them in a different way.
"They want society to come to them or, better yet, succumb to them; we want society to meet us halfway. They see themselves as guerrillas; we, by contrast, see ourselves as ambassadors."
But Rebecca Isaacs, of the influential LA Gay and Lesbian Centre, said some of the conservative gay commentators were being promoted because the media enjoyed seeing the traditionally liberal gay community being attacked.
You probably didn't like J Edgar Hoover, either, but that doesn't change the fact that numerous gays are Conservative in every way but sexual orientation.
Would you prefer they vote democrat?
Would you prefer they vote democrat? Because these people most certainly *do not* sit home on election days.
Consisitent with what? What you should have said "we, conservatives"....being right wing and conservative does not go hand in hand. Many of us are very libertine and very right wing.
"...challenging the homophobic Christian right in the party"
I was canvassing my experience to try and think of people who celebrate homosexuality but also lean right on most social issues.
In my personal life there is nobody, including my practicing gay sister.
Among public figures I'm familiar with there is maybe one. My brother told me that Drudge announced a long time ago that he is gay, although I'v not seen this anywhere else. If he is, then he is the sort I think we'd be glad to have voting Republican.
Now, homosexuality is a personal decision that really, the government impact on as a whole is small. Sure, the gov't can grant recognition of a gay "marriage", but the effects of that really only apply to the financial situation of a gay couple (inheritance, taxes, etc).
I don't see our society heading towards intolerance of open homosexuality (which helps to keep it in the closet). Rather I see it the other way around. I think this atmosphere is dangerous. However, raise your kids right, educate them properly (homeschool it!), and pray with them and for them. They will choose their paths from there.
So, we have a choice. We either hand the liberals victories on abortion, gun control, taxes and so forth, or we take all the votes we can get. When the right to life is restored, the various amendments recognized (1st, 2nd, 10th especially), and the courts have a majority of good judges, then we can fight over homosexuality.
What I'm saying is that we need to prioritize our issues and recognize that homosexuality isn't incredibly high on the list. After all, even if it is not tolerated, people will still have gay relations as they have had for a very long time.
I myself would just appreciate it if those who are gay do not force everyone around them to tolerate flamboyant behavior. I appreciate those who keep their homosexuality to themselves or are quiet about it. After all, I don't run around whistling at women and wearing my heterosexuality on my sleeve.
We need to work with these folks. What's more important, your personal disgust or the right to life? Compare it to the issues you believe in, and I'd be surprised if it were #1 on your list.
So, let's welcome the various conservative groups: PLAGAL (http://www.plagal.org/) , PinkPistols (http://www.pinkpistols.org), and Log Cabin!
They are only infiltrating because they want US to change. Well I'm not changing! They are not interested in the RIGHT, part of the RIGHT is the RELIGIOUS RIGHT...which they HATE. I'm not particularly religious, but I respect the Religious Right a lot. Can you tell me ANY GAYS that do? Don't give me that Dignity crap. All of those groups are bs.
Then it would be best for you to stay out of politics, in my opinion.
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