The right’s big gay dilemma: A movement divided in 2016

[MNBrewer]

http://www.salon.com/2013/08/26/gops_looming_civil_war_on_gay_equality/

While Democrats are now united on LGBT rights, Chris Christie and Rand Paul foretell a juicy GOP reckoning in 2016

During the primaries that election, Democrats were in the hot seat on gay rights – trying to balance their general election interests with one of their most enthusiastic constituencies. In fact, the Human Rights Campaign and LOGO invited candidates from both parties to debate LGBT issues at separate events, but the GOP forum fizzled after Mitt Romney declined to come and John McCain and Rudy Giuliani failed to respond.

Nearly every Democrat, however, showed up to that first-of-its-kind debate on Aug. 9, 2007. But it was New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson who stole the show when he said being gay was “a choice.” “Wrong Answer, Governor,” admonished a Washington Post column, while a New York Times headline called it a “Gay Gaffe.”

Six years later, Christie, a GOP front-runner at this early stage, has already sidestepped that landmine. But get out the popcorn – over the next few years, some Republicans are bound to twist themselves in pretzels trying to make their opposition to same-sex marriage palatable to more than half the nation. We all know how that went for the current occupant of the Oval Office.

[theHandpuppet]

1. I'm curious to know if anyone here has any LCR friends...

... and how you deal with them, i.e., how do you maintain a civil relationship? I'm not sure I could.

[Vanje]

2. I am such a dope

What are LCR friends?

[Behind the Aegis]

3. Log Cabin Republicans

[Vanje]

5. Good Lord!

I thought the Log-Cabin people were extinct .
Though, truthfully, way back in the early 90's,when I first heard about the Log Cabin, I'm not sure I believed they existed.

Since then . I've met a couple of Log Cabin people. Only a couple. (I live in a VERY conservative place.)
Even these have become liberals......Though yet in the closet. They think they are out, because they told me. But , no.
One of them, She just got married to the girl of her dreams. No one was invited. the wedding was secret.
She has a picture on her desk at work of she smiling broadly with her brother.
Goddam!

In Idaho, one does not out oneself at the workplace......
except me!

....and you know what ? Its fine!
but my closeted friend works directly with cowboys, and she doesn't trust them to continue liking her , if they knew her secret.
Jesus.

I say, try em. You might be surprised.
I was. I outted myself. and I am quite sue I'm the only gay person , my co-workers think they know, and they're alright.
People are better than you might think.
Even here in the most conservative region of the country.










That said,

[William769]

6. Don't feel bad, I didn't make the connection either.

I was thinking it was part of LDS.

Just in case if anyone doesn't know LDS = Latter Days Saints

[theHandpuppet]

11. Maybe I'm just old

I've always called them LCRs so I assumed everyone did. Every few months I drop by their web site to see what new delusions they've cooked up. Honestly, y'all ought to visit their site every once in a while. I'm never sure whether to be amused or disgusted.

[William769]

20. I'll pass. I'll let you keep me informed.

Thats one "fantasy land" I never want to visit.

[theHandpuppet]

21. Yeah, it's like a trip to Bizarro World

Except they have money and they contribute it to GOP candidates. That makes them dangerous and why every 6 months or so I drop by to see what's going on in the viper pit.

[Behind the Aegis]

4. Am I just being cynical?

Are the democrats really all on the same page? Or will, again, face calls for "just wait until the election is over...but write your check to...?" Or will people actually stand with us proudly and unashamedly?

[nomorenomore08]

10. Considering nationwide support for marriage equality is over 50% now, I see no reason why they

should be afraid to do so. Same-sex marriage, other than in the reddest of red states, is more a winning issue than a losing one nowadays.

[Behind the Aegis]

15. Maybe it is because of where I live.

In Oklahoma, you can't even tell who is who when they are running. Democrats almost never use that word or put in their ads. I do see some change nationwide, but, in all honesty, I am still waiting....

[nomorenomore08]

17. Yeah, progressive-leaning Dems are an endangered species in states like that. My condolences.

[William769]

7. I believe any Democrat that wants a shot at the nomination will embrace marriage equality.

Not to do so won't even get them a spot at the convention. I also believe that within the next year marriage equality is going to be the norm & not the exception.

[Behind the Aegis]

8. I hope you are right!!!

[William769]

9. Whats happened in New Mexico & Pennsylvania

Is only the tip of the iceberg. It's even spreading to Illinois or is it Indiana? One of the two.

[theHandpuppet]

14. See, I don't understand the twists in the LCR mind

They keep blowing their own horn about how much they've done for marriage equality and then with the next breath they're practically blowing Chris Christie's horn. (Pardon my language.)
In any case, LCRs just drive me nuts. Marriage equality aside, they come across as a bunch of GLBTeabaggers.

[Behind the Aegis]

16. I don't get it either.

I have only met a few, and most are "that way" for economic reasons....the almighty dollar! Of course, I feel the same about Republican Jews, but more so for anti-Semitic Jews. It really comes down to the money, though I have found many Republican Jews and gays are usually very anti-choice!!?!? I mean....say what??! I don't understand the mentality of siding with a group that would sooner gas you, then give you equality or even let you in the building.

[theHandpuppet]

18. It will make you dizzy after a while

Like I said, other than the issue of marriage equality, they come across as the worst kind of LGBTeabaggers. VERY anti-choice, pro-gun (in the NRA sense), despising of social programs or safety nets, and militaristic drum beaters. I can see why the LCRs would appeal to the Mary Cheney type of GLBT. (There's also an undercurrent of racism there, IMHO.)
A few years ago I had posted a thread to DU about the LCRs and how the photos from their annual convention -- in Palm Springs, no less - revealed just who would find this collection of toadies to their liking. All white, monied, and male by a large majority. I really made a big public stink about it and wondered if some LCR eavesdroppers took heed, because since then they've obviously gone way out of their way to post photos that make this group appear more inclusive. I call bullshit. Other than their support for marriage equality, I despise everything they stand for. That's why I don't think my partner and I could ever have LCR "friends". Our basic belief systems are so much a part of who we are that I don't think we could ever find enough common ground to forge a friendship -- or be interested in one, for that matter.

[MNBrewer]

19. Well, it does go to show that we ARE actually everywhere.

*sigh*

[MNBrewer]

12. I think Obama was the last Democratic nominee that will have had an anti Marriage-Equality viewpoint

[William769]

13. Agreed.