WASHINGTON -- A quiet transformation is taking place in the Republican Party, which has begun to embrace openly gay candidates - and among gay Republicans, who now feel more comfortable speaking out in a party that may have accepted them but didn't always show it. While differences still exist, the party is on the cusp of a generational shift in which the longtime foes of gay rights are replaced by younger party leaders who are more accepting. "It's an exponential change from a few years ago," said former Republican Rep. Jim Kolbe. "It's happening, and it's going to continue to...
