Why Are There Gay Republicans? A Speculation:

[Demeter]

The misogyny of the GOP platforms is more appealing than the homophobia is appalling.

It was the notion from a blogger at Huffington that "androcentricity" is rampant in the GOP that opened this windoe of insight for me.

And if one focuses all one's approval and ambition on the male of the species, what is left for the female?

There are very few that bear the Democratic label, and none that get Democratic approval, who don't believe in equality in treatment for all, or at least pay lip service to the notion. Try and say that about the GOP, and you can't keep a straight (no pun intended) face.

[azurnoir]

1. Because the color green trumps all (for some) n/t

[Demeter]

2. Yes, There's That Aspect, Too. Sigh

[Cha]

9. Yes, indeedy, ergo the

log cabin repubs.

[defendandprotect]

3. Why are there gays in the Catholic priesthood?

[Demeter]

4. Gays, or Pedophiles?

I know there are both, but one is a crime, and the other is unsanctioned by the Church. At any rate, I'll never be a priest, but I am affected by Congress, as are my daughters.

[defendandprotect]

5. There are both gays and pedophiles in the Vatican -- however . . ..

my response was to the original question which seems to suggest that the Republican Party offered a closet for homosexuality --

and my answer, in turn, suggested that the Vatican also offered a closet for homosexuals --

Though we presume that in both cases and in both places, homosexual activity may not always have been hidden and may even have been freely practiced with other members of the priesthood/brotherhood and/or with members of the church, etal.

In the case of the Vatican sheltering homosexuals within the church, this is merely hypocrisy in as much as the Vatican has long preached intolerance and hatred for homosexuals. It also precluded the Vatican from having to face -- or reveal to church members -- the full impact and harm done to the priesthood/brotherhood/sisterhood by it's continuing failure to permit marriage among priests and to permit females to become priests.

Pedophiles within the Vatican is another issue -- this is, of course, a crime -- most often NOT reported by the Church to state officials.

[Disturbed]

6. One doesn't hear or read much about Lesbian Nuns.

I guess Lesbians are welcome in the Catholic Corp.

[defendandprotect]

11. The patriarchy doesn't really like to admit that lesbians exist, at all, it seems !!!!

As for the Catholic Church . . . . and I'm a recovering Catholic . . . as I reflect back I think the first time I noticed that one of my fellow female students was a bit odd, a bit manish, was when she began to get a lot of attention from the nun teaching us. As I reflect back on it -- and she did go into the sisterhood after school -- I think she was being targeted. This was at a time when homosexuality wasn't even on most people's awareness level.

After Vatican II, I would suggest that lesbians were feminists -- and that they were no longer willing to support a patriarchal church which oppressed females and barred them from the priesthood.
And, possibly they felt that they could now exist outside the closet -- I think so.

[Demeter]

7. Is It a Closet?

I look at the abuse of power, especially against women and children, in both the GOP and the Church and all its offspring, the Protestant churches, and it seems like a Faustian bargain.

One can be everything in either clique: pedophile, misogynist, abusive, but one must never be caught, never confess, and one must never examine the conflict that results within or try to resolve it. One doesn't have to be any of the above, but I suspect that being surrounded by seriously conflicted souls in denial is too much for people who don't indulge in criminal behavior, abusive behavior, or hateful behavior. They leave because they are healthy enough, moral enough, not to put up with it.

It is the abuse of power that makes the whole issue. Sexual orientation is mixed in with all this other stuff. And the critics get all tied up in the sexual issues, when what really needs to be addressed is the crimes, hatred and abuse of others.

I'd like to think that in the Democratic Party, sexuality isn't an issue, and crime, hatred and abuse of others isn't tolerated. Perhaps that's a little too optimistic, but I think that is the goal.

Further thought: I'm not sure if I have the idea formulated sufficiently. It's stuck in the non-verbal, right-hand side of the brain still. If it comes clearer, I will post more.

[defendandprotect]

12. I mainly agree with your comments . . .. EXCEPT . . . .

Hi --

I can't agree that the abuse of power is the "whole issue"
-- though obviously patriarchy is abusive to the majority of people on this planet: females.

Obviously, patriarchal religions' enemy is female -- the natural protector of children.
Nature gave everything to do with childrearing to females.

Controlling reproduction and women's bodies is a primary concern for the patriarchy -- and therefore their efforts to make sexuality in almost all its forms SINFUL -- save to procreate!

Since homosexuality did not necessarily lead to procreation, homosexuals were attacked and ultimately forced to marry and reproduce.

[seasat]

8. It's a form of self hatred and denial.

IMHO, they are from regions and/or families where homosexuality is demonized. In self denial, they act out by condemning homosexuality. By coming out fervently against their own desires, they feel they are overcoming what they loathe about themselves. However, they can't overcome their true nature and end up in bathroom stalls instead of healthy relationship with a loving partner.

This applies towards the cultural conservative closeted Repugs. There are some economic conservatives like Andrew Sullivan that are Repugs but don't deny their true nature.

[defendandprotect]

13. But, why does Sullivan then align himself with those who teach hatred for homosexuals?

The GOP - - ???

[TSIAS]

10. From what I gather

Most Republicans, in their heart, don't despise gay people. It's pretty much assumed that Lindsay Graham and David Dreier.

Except for the hardcore fundies, I think the Republicans use hatred and bigotry for winning elections.

[defendandprotect]

14. But GOP rhetoric re homosexuality does instruct others to "hate" . . . ..

and further encourages the already religious-inspired hater to think they are doing the right thing -- Right????