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Loading ...Besen: Goodbye, gay conservatives
In response to mounting criticism of gay conservatives, Dale Carpenter, a prominent gay writer, is threatening to bolt the movement.
In a recent column, he spoke of his “rising anger” with how gay advocates treat his ideological brethren. Of course, we know this is a bluff because Carpenter and other gay conservatives have nowhere else to go. They are dependent on the very liberalism they condescendingly deride and rejected by the very political party they claim to be a part of.What is notable about Carpenter’s tirade, is how it is at odds with his often intelligent columns. He regularly offers sharp legal critiques and prescient political analysis. However, when discussing gay conservatism, Carpenter uncharacteristically becomes irrational, falling into an undeserved victimhood that is a hallmark of gay Republicans.
For example, Carpenter is upset because Jonathan Crutchley, the co-founder of the gay cruising site Man Hunt, was skewered after giving a contribution to John McCain. Carpenter surmises that there is a witch hunt because of Crutchley’s political affiliation. This is not true. If he were just another gay business owner, no one would care whom he contributed to. However, it is preposterous for a man whose commodity is sodomy to give money to a candidate who wants to appoint Supreme Court Justices who would be in favor of outlawing gays from having consensual sexual relations. It is this type of cognitive dissonance that earns gay conservatives such deserved contempt.
Republicans in Congress have blocked gay rights progress for nearly three decades. It was President George W. Bush who stumped for a Federal Marriage Amendment. It was Sen. Majority Leader Trent Lott who once compared gay people to kleptomaniacs and alcoholics. I could fill 10 columns with despicable acts and words lobbed at the GLBT community by members of the Republican Party. While the Democrats are not perfect (see Sam Nunn), anyone who compares the two parties is smoking something that has higher street, than political value.
The modern Republican Party was molded by President Nixon’s “southern strategy” and built by Ronald Reagan, a president who ignored the AIDS crisis. It has been home to horrendous bigots, such as Sen. Jesse Helms, Rep. Bob Dornan, commentator Pat Buchanan and Vice President Dan Quayle – who pushed the term “family values,” which notably did not include GLBT families.
In 1998, Republican Pat Robertson ran for president. Robertson lost, but he amassed a huge mailing list, which was transformed into the Christian Coalition. Under the leadership of Ralph Reed, this organization married the Republican Party and this list is today referred to as “The Base.”
As long as this crowd is on speed-dial to the White House, gay conservatives are a politically powerless sideshow. This group should be boisterously rooting for a collapse of the GOP, so the party can be rebuilt from scratch as an inclusive entity.
The core problem with Carpenter’s arguments, is that he invokes a mythical conservatism that is fighting a liberal straw man. The small government party that wants to keep out of peoples’ bedrooms is dead. It has been replaced by a brand of Republicanism represented by Mike Huckabee, Sarah Palin, Rush Limbaugh and Bush. Not only are these politicians anti-gay busybodies, but they aren’t even fiscally conservative. In 2009, America is projected to run a half-trillion dollar deficit, plummeting from the seven hundred billion surplus under Bill Clinton.
The issue I have with gay conservatives is that they consistently subjugate GLBT concerns. This is revealed when Carpenter says that “we disagree” with the movements “most visible activists…about how much weight should be given to purely gay issues in a time of economic and military turmoil.”
I wasn’t aware that Congress had to choose between the economy and protecting GLBT people from job discrimination. I had no idea that passing a hate crime law might hinder our efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan. Apparently, Carpenter and other conservatives think they should get to the back of the line and wait for their rights to be doled out at a time of peace and prosperity (when Democrats are in the White House, I presume).
The truth is, I agree more with Dan Quayle than gay conservatives like Dale Carpenter.
Family Values actually do matter and I will not apologize for placing the protection of my family above tax cuts for the very wealthy. Carpenter does not like it when gay conservatives are called self-loathing, but what else can one call people who don’t prioritize legal protection for themselves and the ones they love?
If Carpenter and other gay conservatives leave the movement, nothing will really change. Gay progressives will still be doing the lion’s share of the work, while conservatives will enjoy the privileges of their newfound freedom, while complaining about those who are largely responsible for their liberty.
The ignorance and supported hatred within the gay community toward gay conservatives is disgusting, for lack of a better term. I guess you believe gays cannot be religious in any manner either? Those two situations are exactly alike.
This article, and the comments to follow, are proof exactly how idiotic most gays are when it comes to politics. I am not, nor will I ever be, a one-issue voter.
It makes me laugh that people are all “We must be open-minded and accepting” especially when it involves gays/lesbians but “By God I’ll be damned if I’m open or accepting to gays having conservative view points”. Nice way to completely act just as the religious radicals do; as two-faced hypocrites.
When you agree with a political party on almost all issues except the issue of homosexuality, that means you cannot be a member of said party? So, let me see if I understand this correctly; gays can only be a member of a party which supports gays/lesbians?
That’s like saying if you’re religious, you cannot be a member of the democratic party, or if you support abortion, you cannot be a republican.
I think people need to get their heads out of their asses and stop with the ignorance and close-mindedness. Being ‘open and accepting’ is a two-way street. This is exactly why, as a 22 year old gay male, I despise the mainstream gay community / media. Nothing but a bunch of indirect and hidden hatred and bigotry which is exactly what they claim to be against.
I think it’s safe to say that, yes, gay conservatives are a bit of an anomaly…
Ahhh, what you fail to understand is that Conservative is not the same as Republican. I am socially liberal but fiscally conservative. I believe that the country is turning into a nanny state with definite socialist leanings. I certainly don’t agree with that. I want less (no, make that MUCH LESS) government involvement in peoples lives. If we slashed the government in half, we would be able to cut taxes for everyone.
I consider myself to be Conservative and am not registered as a Republican.
Gay left-leaner here, but this article contains its own logic gaps and hypocrisy:
“this group should be boisterously rooting for a collapse of the GOP, so the party can be rebuilt from scratch as an inclusive entity.” Even if the party completely loses both house of Congress and the Senate, it won’t “collapse”. How would you know if it did? Instead of charging at windmills, how about giving the gay Repubs some credit for simply not giving up?
“Family Values actually do matter and I will not apologize for placing the protection of my family above tax cuts for the very wealthy.” Good for you. Me too. But if we’re placing our own family values at a high priority, then why, in the face of anti-gay marriage laws etc., do we downplay our families by saying “there are more important issues for the voters to worry about than gay marriage”? Hate to tell you, but the right-wing family values/anti-gay folks see us as important, just like we do. So maybe we shouldn’t flip-flop so publicly on this issue.
“The small government party that wants to keep out of peoples’ bedrooms is dead.” Maybe. But, again, conservatives like Carpenter, both gay and straight, are trying to resurrect it. Meanwhile, under the Dems, we got DOMA and DADT. Not exactly staying out of our bedrooms either, are they?
The Repubs are, I think, a mess right now. In the past 20 years they’ve been hijacked by the Christian right, and have gone counter to their traditional small-gov’t and fiscal responsibility positions. That’s why people like Carpenter are so important. I personally don’t want to be beholden to only one political party. I wish him and the other gay Repubs success as they fight for the entire party, including us.
I think we need to look deeper to be honest. Gay Republicans are a problem when they support the very ideals that we right so hard to change.
Nice Wayne, but misuse of cognitive dissonance which is something that occurs within the persons mind. Actions are not cognitive dissonance, they are contradictory.
“In response to mounting criticism of gay conservatives, Dale Carpenter, a prominent gay writer, is threatening to bolt the movement.”
Not much of a threat. You have to be part of a movement before you can bolt from it.
“In 1998, Republican Pat Robertson ran for president. Robertson lost, but he amassed a huge mailing list, which was transformed into the Christian Coalition.”
Wrong year. Please correct.
I don’t want to be crass, but do you understand even the basic tenants of logic? Both sides of this argument have to abandon the belief that people are homogenized when it comes to issues; political, character and sexuality. You have as much right to your opinion, which I personally think is flawed and full of self-loathing, as I do as a Gay Conservative Man who thinks that abortion is wrong and a host of other conservative issues. And like all multifaceted people I fall on your side of the fence on some issues too. So lighten up, rejoice in our differences.
I have always assumed gay republicans are solely concerned about money and taxes. Most wealthy people are above trivialities such as law and human rights — their money affords them the insulation from the realities that the majority of us have to face daily.
You say “Apparently, Carpenter and other conservatives think they should get to the back of the line and wait for their rights to be doled out at a time of peace and prosperity (when Democrats are in the White House, I presume).” I feel that the Democrats are telling the GLBT community the same thing. I can’t count how many times I’ve heard that I should vote for Obama, even though he campaigns with bigots. How the “perfect is the enemy of the good” How Obama is better than McCain and I should accept that at this time it’s not going to get a better candidate. I think both sides are telling me to sit at the back of the bus and avoid drawing any attention until the time is right. I refuse to do that, so I’m voting for the Green Party. They may not win, but at least I can look at myself in the mirror on November 5th.
Mr. Besen, your attack on the columnist is warranted, but lumping all gay conservatives into his bucket is surprisingly simplistic, especially coming from you.
As a gay man I put equality near the top of the issues I care about. But I also care about the budget, the war and the economy. Finally, reducing the welfare state and a woman’s right to choose make the list of top issues.
I happen to take a conservative view of each of those issues. Small government stays out of our bedrooms and out of woman’s wombs. It doesn’t fight wars it can’t afford or are not justified. It cares not about religious objections to equality but vigorously defends equality. It reduces government in favor of what individual states determine they need and can pay for (see Mass’ example of universal health insurance).
You get the picture. Don’t label me a bush supporter, he is no conservative. The religious right has taken over the republican party and the conservative movement to its detriment, and making both seem quite socialist with wanting to impose its views on everyone.
Religion has no place in politics but it seems to be central stage. If we took away religion, we could get back to conservative values which the equality side of the liberal movement advocates for.
The rest of liberalism: taxes, welfare state, telling people how to live their lives is not for me. So I’m not a Democrat either.
It simply isn’t black and white and you know that….your rant above was very dissapointing because you targeted people that you know do not agree with the Log Cabin republicans nor Mr. Carpenter. I thought you were better than that.
Please leave the glossing over criticisms to Palin, she is better at it.
As always a well thought out and concise evaluation. Gay Republicans are anethema to the gay movement.
When a man fights for what is right, he is a hero.
When a man benefits from the fight, he is a beneficiary.
When a man benefits from the fight but demeans the man for fighting what is right, he is both lazy and dishonest.
I think it is safe to say which one the gay republicans belong to.
I am in 100% agreement with your assessment of gay conservatives. Instead of trying to “fit in” with a group of people that loath and despise you, why not join the Democratic Party and work for change within it as a conservative. I believe the term “Gay Republican” is an oxymoron.
So in your eyes are gay republicans like women who are against abortion? I think that conservative views are different for gays than breeders in general. Conservative to me in the gay community is monagamy. Knowing your sexuality, not lying and saying you are bisexual. It must be nice to shape shift like that.
Are bisexuals the same as gay republicans? Can we reject the B from our GLBTQO, since we aren’t fighting the same fight.
In general what gay male would even care about a woman’s reproductive rights since it does not have anything to do with his life. And once more, being a lesbian myself, why should I care about the right to choose, I’ll never need an abortion.
Am I a gay republican because I don’t sleep around and am in a committed relationship? Because I’m getting older and I’m realizing that left dems don’t actually care for anything but being smug and trying to be superior with morals? When their very same morals I don’t agree with if they involve multipartners?
And even beyond that, why should I care about laws for G&L individuals when I don’t believe in marriage gay or straight? There are too many smaller struggles within the big ones. When a gay man will march with me for feminist rights, perhaps I will support the gay male (who make more money than lesbians) movement? Will a gay man not take a high paying job because his female sister in homosexuality is not getting paid equal?
There will always be gay republicans like there will always be threats to any gay rights cause.
At this point I’d actually like to give back my right to vote. What good has it done me or will it do me?
How can I vote for a man who has dashed my personal agenda? And my hopes and dreams for this country? Why should I vote for a man, Obama, who is self inflated and not forthcoming?
Or should I just go read about it on his website? Before he switches his ideas and focus again? Go read it on his website? Why can’t he just tell me his stance on things instead of refering me to his boring website? I should vote for a man that would be GUARANTEED a win if he picked Hillary Clinton for his running mate, but instead picked the very definition of the man’s “establishment.”
And Mccain? Why should I vote for that old goat?
Neither side is appealing and if I can’t write in my candidate, my democratic party has alienated me… I think McCain played right into my hands because yes, Palin is basically the devil. But wouldn’t I rather a woman take away my rights and be a misogynist rather than have yet another man smack me down to reality? While he enjoys a better salary than me? Better health care than me? Better oppurtunities in the world simply because he wakes up in the morning with a penis and I don’t?
Race is an issue. Gender is an issue. If it weren’t they would have elections w/ each interested individual masked and voice scrambled so we could only hear their diction and their platform, not see their flesh and know their gender/race.