Gay Republicans

seems a bit counter productive and self defeating considering the conformity to the status quo.however,i do applaud the destruction of sterotypes.

Love this... Finally, a segment of the Queer Community that isn't eating itself from within... ;o) I'm thinking a vote for the GOP is in order somewhere between the 2010 mid-term and the 2012 general... ;o) WOOT!!! ;o)

Good on you gay republicans / right wing conservative queers.

Political diversity is just a important as all types of civil freedoms many of us have taken for granted whilst fighting for other more day to day rights.

It was a shame to hear no mention of terms such as "LGBT or GLBT", only "gay" and then "gay and lesbian" were mentioned, where are all the queer, intersex, gender-queer, transgender, two-spirit, bisexual, pansexual, polysexual, asexual etc people in their groups? I suspect as "gays and lesbians" are the most empowered and normalized and dominant section of the wider "LGBT community" most other groups haven;t been recruited into the right-wing political community just yet or at least still feel too excluded

However the argument that gay conservatism is pretty much a contradiction in terms is something most LGBT people would side with and matters are not helped by the picture "gay republicans" tend to paint of themselves (often rightly) as internally homophobic and in terms of their values and beliefs are 20-30 years behind the rest of the LGBT rights movement.

Many are against full same-sex marriage equality, adoption rights and don't seem to include other minorities (seemingly mostly middle class white males) and would quite happily settle for a third-rate system like civil unions (at least in the UK) and sit on the sidelines.

There's still a lot of exploitation out there of all minority groups, the oppressors are the same people the republicans and conservatives mainly represent and who lead their parties. Across all forms of inequality and discrimination he root causes are often the same so there's often a conflict of interest being a "gay republican" or "gay conservative" in co-opting the marginalization of other minority groups and focusing on your own needs.

I fully support anyone's right to belong to any political party and to vote any way that he pleases. However, I don't see how any gay or lesbian Republican could vote for the party this time around.
There was a large propaganda campaign in the 2004 election that after that election the real George Bush was going to emerge. He was going to be a moderate who moved to the centre and included gays and lesbians as part of America. Well, exactly the opposite happened. Bush made sure that his fellow Republicans killed both the Hate Crimes bill and ENDA in the Congress. That's scarcely being moderate and moving to the centre.
I think the motto of gay Republicans this time around should be, "We won't get fooled again!" McCain has chosen a strongly anti-gay-rights running mate in Sarah Palin. That should be enough to vote against that ticket.
Unless the candidate is supportive of gay rights, such as Representative Chris Shays of Connecticut, gay Republicans should think twice before voting for Republicans in any races this year. It might send a good message to the Republican party that if it wants gay support and votes, it has to support gays and lesbians in turn.

I talked to my father who is very accepting of my homosexuality for a long time to try and figure out what party I belong to. After a drawn out debate and discussing every aspect of my political view he is convinced that I am independent through and through. Being the dufus I am I didn't understand what this meant. He said, basically your selfish. I agreed. There is no way I would reject a potential love of my life based on their being republican democrat or even communist. I just couldn't care less about mixing politics and love.

I really could care less about what part you are in, if it is in anyone's pants or whatever, I am interested in what people who are in a position of power have planned for me... or people like me...
I am honestly unconvinced by any side of any argument, whether it be political persuasion
or someone's sexual preference,
I honestly, only want what is best for me, does that make me my own person?
Or should the core values of america be in question?
Or should the core of everything of value be questioned?
Opinions...

I think this pod is just more proof that the American government shouldn't be based on a party system. All that does is divide people and cause stereotypical ideas to form. Why is it surprising that people can be gay and still have some of the same ideals as Republicans? People aren't two-dimensional. I think we should do away with the party system entirely because all it does is separate us rather than unite us. And with the way the world and environment is going, what we really need right now is to set our differences aside and unite as one nation, not stay separate in two parties. Thanks for the pod and I hope it enlightened some people!

yeah right, considering republicans now are in the middle of the campaign, gays might get some attention from them, but do not fool you´re self, gays arenªT WANTED in the republican party and they will never be.

I am glad that we have people who are fighting within the Republican party for equal rights. Equality should not be a partisan issue. Unfortunately the leaders of the Republican party make it one.

There really isn't a party that advocates for fiscal conservatism and social liberties at once. So for those gays who are more fiscally conservative, they're faced with supporting a party that has historically betrayed them. Is it self loathing? Perhaps...

I wonder how many of them are in the closet about being Republican.

republican doesn't mean christian. its a stereotype. the "moral" right versus the "radical" left is a bunch of dung. politics are politics.

whether i agree with homosexuality or not, politicians are generally elected officials, so if they make it in, good for them.

if they are going in neutrally and without bias in their altruistic decision making, fine by me. as soon as they start focusing on their own agendas, gay rights or whatever, to me they've abused what they were elected to, just like any other politician.

So Gay Republicans are letting their voice be heard in the party for gay rights?
Hey maybe the party is changing. They now how a female vp candidate. Oh wait Dems had one over twenty years ago.
Maybe the republican party will totally accept gay marriage in twenty years. maybe they'll have a black presidential candidate then too.
Way 2 be progressive republicans!

Hmmm... this is just an omniscient point of view on the subject but; don't the republicans pretty much spread hate against the gay community? because if I am mistaken, feel free to correct me.

Wow! As much as I want to admire the spirit of these folks, it is hard to ignore the rethoric of the party on "family values."

Where is Ann Caulter?

Additionally, I am surprised by the lack of understanding white gay men seem to have when it comes to interlocking systems of oppression. Homophobia, racism, sexism, classism and other forms of discrimiknation all support one another in convoluted ways.

Let's stop half doing equality and justice in this nation.

@donkey
I thought the the republicans were the ones keeping gay marriage illegal in spite of the DEMOCRATs efforts to allow it?

I guess it's good to see conservatives trying to change that

And to me it seems the environment is of no concern to any Republicans. So your post has my brain in a jumble now.

It would have been ok to be a democrat and take action on your own....that's how it begins. Only takes one person.

However if you only care about yourself than maybe you were never a democrat to begin with.

This is so stupid, you all are making the Republican party look like National Socialist party of america. saying all republicans stand for the same ideals.
Well sorry we don't, there are VASE differnt republicans, long as you believe in small government and fiscal responsability and defending the homland YOUR A REPUBLICAN!,
the stance on gay rights and stem cells are the social conservatives, and they are the parasite giving us a bad name

Let's stick the Log Cabin Republicans in a room with John McCain, Mitt Rommel (Romney) and Mike Huckabee, and see how far they go. Get real people, none of those people give a damn about you, no matter how much you fight. They don't want equal rights for you, yet you follow them blindly. On stage last night, Huckabee even insulted Democrats because of having gay marriage and pro-choice supporters. Log Cabin Republicans are the Uncle Tom of the political world. Willing to allow known fundamentalist hate-mongers control your voice, while turning you away at the same time.

“Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities - Voltaire"

The absurdity is that other than money, there is no positive social majority in the GOP for gays and lesbians.

I once thought I was a gay republican, that is until I found the liberterian party. They basically have all the sensible economic ideas of republicans but also feel the government should have an extremely small say in what the people do, thus eliminate the problem of the insane social conservative ideas.

an insightful and interesting report. sexuality shouldn't have to define a person's politics and/or individual identity.

that being said, though, the national face of the republican party effectively forces lgbt people to be defined by their sexuality and nothing else, which is why most lgbt people find "gay republican" to be an oxymoron. it seems to me that as long as the social conservative wing of the party dominates the national civil liberties debate, the "republicans" are bringing a culture war which materially discriminates against LCR individuals and cheapens any political sympathies they show for republican positions.

the work of both the featured individuals/policymakers (or rather, policymaker and policymaker hopeful) centers on the local level, in one of the most liberal states in the country. even as new york state has a republican state senate, there is no question that new york is much more socially liberal, classic "rockefeller" republicans included, than the states where most republicans are registered.

problem: yes, the GOP is in an identity crisis, but the national base of the party remains controlled by social conservatives who are adamantly against lgbt visibility, much less equal rights. are log cabin republican delegates really being made welcome by so many of their peers in st. paul? john mccain isn't exactly clamoring to hold a press conference to accept LCR's endorsement, and even granting him a pass on the hot-button issue of "marriage", he voted *against* lgbt employment non-discrimination and hate crimes legislation. the GOP in congress and in the white house is at best trying to stuff log cabin republicans in a closet of media invisibility, and at worst actively fighting to make them second-class citizens regardless of their support for other issues.

I support them,
they know the difference between a true Republican and the slick social conservatives that are taking over
I hope and support the Log cabin, they are going back to their roots and bring the Grand ol Party back!

Smart!

It seems to be a strategic move also.
They need republican votes so why not become a republican that will cast that vote.
All these labels though are making my head spin.
On a different note, great production value Nerina!
Please do more of these.

As a straight Democrat, I really find it difficult to understand how a g/l/bi person could abandon the party that has fought so hard for g/l/bi rights and taken so much political damage from it. But I will fight to the death your right to do so.

Puke.

You're welcome.

well done, nerina, nice piece of work. i don't think we should overestimate lobbying for the passing of a domestic partnership - a much weaker regime option than the right to marry - as a symbol of progressive gay activism. I am interested in knowing why on earth these guys are supporting such a problemmatic party. i'd imagine it has lots to do with economics. i's really be intrigued to hear comment from progressive gay and lesbian on these guys. being a gay republican doesn't make you any less of a conservative.

interesting...there's the same stigma attached to black republicans.

Kinda weird. I just don't know how you could be a member of a party, that at the core, wants you(a homosexual) to burn in hell.

Actually I do feel that the mainstream republicans seek to give economic freedom while limiting social freedoms. It doesn't make sense. It's good that they're doing this and good that they showed us this pod.

I still agree with the Democrats on most issues, but I'm really glad to learn more about the gay republicans who I never really understood or appreciated before.

Very, Very insightful pod....good job

I like this pod
People should know the difference from republicans and social conservatives

it's the S.C. that want to abolish gay rights
republicans want to preserve civil liberties to all americans

Congrats Nerina - awesome and important work to make sure traditionally marginalized groups have real voice in this current Election year. The Republican kids are standing up! Be interesting to see/hear what "The Dems" are doing to help promote gay rights legislatively. Inquiring minds want to know. Maybe next, you can take your camera's inside those walls.

Keep up the great work for Current...we need more stuff like this.

Extremely well done documentary and great subject matter. Anything that shatters stereotypes and lazy thinking - especially in a pro thinker like myself - is great!

I could possibly vote Republican IF they would drop the violent anti-gay stance that has been part of their message for so long.

Anyway, it's great to see these people as pro-gay and working to achieve that in both parties. Very smart.

Since when does Politics have a Sex Preference, and if so, do you want to keep it that way?

that would be really hard to be someone who is gay and a republican! I mean, if you agree with republicans on all issues but one issue discriminates against you, how can you choose?

Well done doc! Good Work Nerina. Thanks for something we seldom get a look into.
My response to the content is that I still don't get it.
The other views of the republicans are far more horrifying - the darwinian economics for example.
Being a lesbian is far less of a problem than being poor in America. Although there is a good shot at being poor because you're a lesbian, as we might have noticed from the recent democratic primary, misogyny is still alive and well.
But my belief in free speech overrides all other considerations.

This piece has given me a whole other perspective to the subject of gay republicans. I felt it was one huge oxymoron, especially when such a party fights to keep gay rights from corroding our pure and holy-than-thou values.

At the very least, the republicans who happen to be gay in this piece seem to have more of a cause, an agenda, conducting a two-prong attack on both parties. This is a great way to show their might, and an even smarter way to hack away at system hell bent on keeping the status quo. I get it now, which makes this, an excellent piece.

An excellent piece! What's most interesting is not that they are Republican and gay, but their emphasis on the need for Republicans and Democrats to combine forces to get more liberal bills, especially bills that have to do with social policies, through state and national congresses. It's almost impossible to get one party in enough control to get the important stuff through, so cooperation is the name of the day.
Very well done and thought provoking piece!

I think it was interesting what one of them said and that was why should gay people want to be ignored by one and taken for granted by another [party]. I thought that was interesting take on it....divide and conquer in a way.

Interesting pod.

People do tend to think that just because someone is gay that they are automatically a democrat and for the most part that's correct but this points to how that's not necessary true.

And this surprises people? Republicans don't hate gay people. Seriously, in this day and age? Please!

Weird that gay people have a knee-jerk reaction to dislike Republicans.

That's truly sad.
Most people would be great with a domestic partnership bill. I think it rocks.

Thanks for making this pod.