Why do gay men chose the GOP and not the Democrats?

[The Backlash Cometh]

This question was asked on another thread, but the thread went on another tangent and the question got buried. So, here it is with its own thread to see if it would result in more surprising responses like the one DUer, DeSwiss, posted in response to mine.


In response to the question, "Why do they chose th GOP and not the Democrats," I wrote:

That is the question of the day, isn't it? I say it has to do with a desire to be associated with power and success. They are already living secret lives because of the open hostility that traditional conservatives have for them, so, remaining secretive is not a stretch for them. It's not self-loathing, I don't think. It's loathing of society - a society which has forced them to wear many hats. Lying about their homosexual preference is a defense mechanism.

And maybe this is why Washington's secretive escort services have cropped up. A culture which depends on the protection of powerful Washington support. And, perhaps one that is very dark and extends to pedophile rings.

But I think someone or some organization is clever enough to figure out that this deviant hidden culture has its benefits. Because people who live secret lives are vulnerable. They're vulnerable to blackmail. Maybe it's not a coincidence that Washington DC has so many dark temptations? Maybe this is by design, to hook people in, then own them?

And it doesn't have to be sex that's used as bait. Why not money? Why not give Congressmen an illicit opportunity to make deals with quasi allies? Or to share in the profits of bad real estate development in another state? Heck, for that matter, if a politician from another state is allowed to make profits off real estate development in Florida, let's say, a state in which he or she doesn't even live in, wouldn't that explain why all the property rights decisions have been going in favor of developers who are often out-of-state corporations, instead of in the favor of the people who live in that state?

This is DeSwiss's response:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=1715047&mesg_id=1716602

[billyoc]

1. Same reason hetero men do.

Because they're rich.

[The Backlash Cometh]

2. Not entirely true.

Most Republicans I know who gravitate to the GOP, do so for the family values concept. They believe that it represents traditional Americana. And once you dig deeper you discover that it's that old, circle the wagons mentality of keeping the white pilgrims in, and the rest of us unwashed indians, out. And homosexuals are part of the unwashed.

[mitchum]

4. Not all are part of the unwashed...some gay republicans are the fusty old aunts who...

consider others to be the rabble and beneath them. Trust me; I have spent lots of time in Charleston.

[The Backlash Cometh]

5. Can you provide more details?

As in "others" do you mean other other gay people?

[mitchum]

6. No, "others" are the "lower classes" which include both straight and gays

there is a long tradition of "aristocratic deviancy" which they consider to be a right of the privileged.

[The Backlash Cometh]

7. So the common bond between some Republican straights and homosexuals is

arrogance?

[mitchum]

10. Exactly (n/t)

[BlooInBloo]

15. So arrogant that they're willing to vote against their interests....

... and thus it becomes simply stupidity.

[mitchum]

3. Greed

[undeterred]

8. Why does anyone who is not a white hetero male choose to be Republican?

There has to be an element of self loathing or pure denial for any woman, black or other minority, or homosexual who belongs to this party. I just can't imagine why any self respecting woman would vote Republican, IMHO.

[The Backlash Cometh]

13. But the Republican veneer is openly pro-family, anti-gay. That's

what makes the GOP homosexual's decision so at odds with their political policies. You can understand why women would vote Republican. Because they understand, at some level, that child-rearing requires some adherence to traditional family concepts.

[undeterred]

49. But traditional family concepts do not regard women very highly

as far as I am concerned.

[mwb970]

26. Republicans prefer rich, white, straight Christian males.

That's five binary variations for a total of 32 combinations, one of which qualifies you as a True Believer Republican. If you are off on any one of these factors (for example, if you are a rich, black, straight Christian male) you are still "in", but barely. If you are off on two or more, you are simply not "one of them".

Meanwhile, Democrats cover all 32 combinations, thus better representing America.

[mac56]

50. This is the best answer I've read on this thread yet.

Thank you.

[BlooInBloo]

9. The ones who do are just stupid - just like any non-(rich white christian straight male) republican.

[WinkyDink]

11. Why do any people become Republicans? $$$$$$$$$, maybe guns, and a warped view

of our nation's principles.

[mac56]

12. Trust fund brats.

Who can't afford (literally) to upset Pater and Mater.

Flame away; I'm ready.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

22. i think you are right. greed is a major component of this/

[MethuenProgressive]

14. Because just maybe they're people too?

Not all black people vote the same way, not all women vote the same way, not all Christians vote the same way, not all veterans, students, seniors, Jews, or firefighters vote the same way - so why should anyone be surprised that not all gay men vote the same?

Now, rural redneck high school dropout NRA evangelical NASCAR deadbeat dads?
Them, they all vote the same way :evilgrin:

[mac56]

16. I think the OP accepts that "they" don't all vote the same way.

They don't all vote the same - because - they don't all vote the same? And that's just the way it is?

The question remains - why?

Why would a group of people choose a political alliance so contrary to their best interests? One that's openly dedicated itself to the marginalization and oppression of this group?

[BlooInBloo]

18. Of course. The person deliberately chose an uncharitable interpretation of the OP...

.... just so that they could recoup the joy of saying how wrong the strawman of their own creation was.

[jzodda]

19. because for the rich MONEY is their best interest for the most part

Gay, Hetero-It makes no difference for Rich republicans. They gravitate toward the party that will protect their money, period. Since Republicans always says rich people should keep more of their money they will go with that party. Money is for many more important then any other factor.

These people feel their best interests are to be rich, get richer and the hell with the "lower" classes. They don't care nearly as much about social issues.

[The Backlash Cometh]

31. If money is the reason that gay men gravitated to the GOP, and, actually,

have resulted in their ascension up the party ladder, then don't you see where this thing might head once it gets churned by a conservative think-tank? As these gay Republican men get outed, and as the dark secrets of Washington DC's seedier side get revealed, it wouldn't be a stretch for the GOP's next strategic move to blame all the horrible decisions of the last ten years on Republican homosexuals. If Rove turns out to be gay, then this is a slam dunk.

And you got to love the bad karma the Republicans created for themselves, because here they're on a sinking ship ready to throw overboard the rabid Christians that nobody likes, along with the secretive GOP gay operatives which had the freedom to fly around this country to do all kinds of thug-like hi-jinxs for the GOP.

[treestar]

34. True, also raises the interesting question

Why don't all straight, white males join the GOP?

Yet we have Edwards, Kucinich, etc.

The Democrats in theory should easily be the more numerous party. Everyone who isn't a white straight male, plus those WSMs who still want justice and equality for all!

[The Backlash Cometh]

41. I may be biased, but I believe that among those white men who vote

Democratically, you'll find those who can conceptualize the sacrifices necessary to achieve the very world that Republicans can only reminisce about.

[stillcool]

17. Image...

I think the Republican appeal to the masses is the image of wealth, moral superiority, and divine birth...and for a good reason. They represent that which they are. Any group or sect of society has variations within it along the lines of sex, race and religion, but it is not those individual traits that have the appeal, but the hierarchy of wealth and prestige. It just so happens that the use of religion and morality as a rallying cry, that serves to defend positions otherwise undefendable, leaves them vulnerable for breaking their own euphemistic moral positions.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

20. what percent of homosexuals vote for republican vs heteros who vote for repubs?

[mac56]

23. There's probably a way to find that out.

No doubt, the percentage of homosexuals who vote republican is much smaller than the heteros who do.

Is that really relevant, though? I think the OP wonders why even one homosexual male would do so. I wonder, too.

[Baby Snooks]

27. Jews for Hitler

Gay Republicans = Jews for Hitler

[mac56]

28. Chickens for Colonel Sanders

Retarded Death Row Inmates for Bush

[Baby Snooks]

29. Chickens for Colonel Sanders

:applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause:

[mac56]

30. Not original, I'm afraid.

I first saw it attributed to Andrew Sullivan. Ironic, no?

[Orangepeel]

51. 77% of gay voters voted for Kerry

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20124556/site/newsweek/page/0/

[alfredo]

21. I think David Brock might have a few opinions on this.

[The Backlash Cometh]

40. David Brock. What I would do to have him respond to this question.

At least he grew a conscience. I think for Brock, there was an element of winning and success that seduced him. I think intelligent people love a challenge, and the challenges you face are often defined by the times you live in. When Brock batted for the other side, (Republicans), it was a time of peace and we had too much leisure time and too much disposable money. Too much unnecessary drama was created as people used their intelligence for evil, instead of good.

[alfredo]

46. I think he really wanted to belong.

[The Backlash Cometh]

47. That too.

[alfredo]

48. At least at Berkeley, the Reps were the rebels. That might have been

the appeal to him.

[Buzz Clik]

24. Being Republican and gay is not a choice.

[slampoet]

25. These aren't gays who choose the GOP they are Closet Cases. Totally different sexuality.

Also many Closet Cases were GOP before they ever "gave in" to their attraction to men.


As for why these Closet Cases get promoted in the GOP?

Easy. The GOP has something to hold over their heads in case they don't comply with the wishes of the party.

[zanne]

32. Because gay people are like everybody else. nt

[mac56]

35. No one's disputing that.

But please elaborate.

[zanne]

38. I don't think that being gay always = liberal.

Maybe there are more liberal gay people now, because we're the ones who are helping them achieve equality in this country. Once that is achieved, however, I can see many gay and lesbian people becoming conservative, because they are like everybody else.

[treestar]

36. Exactly. In that group you'll also find the rich, those who work for

Halliburton and other military contractors, for that matter, those who believe all the crap about terra, terra, terra and the needed military response. Sex is also by nature private, so it is possible to think that one's sexual relationships being accepted publicly is not as important as defending ourselves from the "Islamofascists who want to destroy our way of life." For that matter, the Islamic countries' attitude toward gays is far worse.

The rethugs are great manipulators when it comes to that. Their excuses for the war are meant to scold liberals: the Islamic treatment of women, gays, religious minorities and their lack of democracy. Though the idea of militarily attacking to establish democracy and equal rights is another question.

[mac56]

39. Sooo...the ability to hide in a well-insulated closet

explains supporting a party that vilifies others of your group? Particularly those not lucky enough to have that well-insulated closet?

Sorry. I'm not buying it. It may be an explanation, but it sure as hell isn't an excuse.

[mudesi]

33. Because the GOP is manipulative

It's easy to be fooled by their mass marketing of emotional triggers.

[The Backlash Cometh]

43. I think I understand why Republicans seem like foreign beings to me.

I'm a bit of a recluse and, so, I don't easily get manipulated by other people's drama issues. In fact, a lifetime of being on the receiving end of other people's dramas is the reason why I keep a respectful distance. But now I understand why there always seems to be tension when I'm around some of the power-playing Republicans. Because I don't "exit right" on cue. I don't respond to their social triggers. And they can't even call me a stupid spic because at least, I have a degree. They expect me to respond a certain way, and it freaks them out when I don't perform for them.

[Arugula Latte]

37. With the closeted ones, I think it's part of their "disguise"

They think it gives them cover -- Dontcha know Republicans are all upstanding Family Values tough guys and so different than those darn effeminate gay-pandering Democrats ... :eyes:

[Ino]

42. I had that same thought last night

Closeted gays may use the GOP just as they use a wife... as a beard.

[The Backlash Cometh]

44. And, yet, the hunter becomes the hunted. Because in Washington,

if they own your secrets, they own you.

[mac56]

45. Heyyy!!! Abraham Lincoln had a beard!!!

So it all comes full circle!!! :sarcasm: