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11/01/2007
Which came first: The anti-gay chicken or their gay egg?
Phyllis Schlafly. Regina Griggs. Alan Keyes. Timothy and Bevery LaHaye. Charles Socarides.
What do these names have in common? Well, (1) all dedicate (or in the case of Socarides, dedicated) much of their time to protesting gays and gay acceptance. (2) All of them have a gay child. And they are certainly not the only ones with such a conflict between their viewpoints and their child's reality. It's a common theme in religious right circles, as well as in many private homes across America. Oftentimes it is the child or children that they couldn't "cure" or "fix" that leads parents to eschew PFLAG and instead embrace intolerance.
Now it's time to add another to the above list. Remember a few weeks back when we told you that Caludia Contrada, the high school aged daughter of MassResistance's Amy Contrada (pic.) was starring in the same production of the pro-gay Laramie Project play that her mother was protesting? And remember how we were all shocked that someone could be raised in the home of such an outspoken anti-gay activist and yet themselves be gay-friendly? Well, in a new interview with QueerToday.com, Claudia Contrada sheds some light on why, exactly, she's supportive of gays and lesbians. Mainly, it's because she doesn't hate who she is:
MassResistance Daughter: I Am A Lesbian [Queer Today]
Yes, dear readers, yet another progeny of an anti-gay activist has publicly revealed themselves to be gay. And remember: This is a teenage girl who still has to live under her mother's roof who has chosen to come out and challenge her mother's actions and rhetoric. She has put own personal well-being and the ease of her home life at risk so that she can voice what she thinks to be right. That's bravery.
So far Amy Contrada has yet to comment on her daughter's revelation. We'll let you know as soon she blames our "gay agenda" for leading her daughter to challenge the inhumane, amoral anti-gay one that Amy holds so dear.
Your thoughts
It is a fascinating phenomenon. Another major example was the late Pete Knight, the father of Prop. 22 which banned marriage equality in California and on which Asshole Arnold is hanging his own father's Nazi hat to veto marriage equality bills passed by the legislature.
Knight was also the father of a gay man who flew with his partner from their east coast home to be among the 4000+ couples married in San Francisco's 2004 "Winter of Love" thanks to Mayor Gavin Newsom [court challenges still unresolved for those wondering].
Knight pere also had a gay brother who died of AIDS and was vicious to both him and his son. Years went by without anyone of them talking. I believe I read recently that the demogogue's widow is actively involved in the efforts to enact even stronger anti marriage equality law in California.
Assuming he would do it, might HRC use some of its millions, along with Equality California and their Let Freedom Ring campaing, to sponsor San Diego's mayor around the country to talk about his own epiphany after which, inspired by his lesbian daughter, he reversed his public opposition to marriage equality in, as you know, one of the most moving "real" moments in politics we've ever seen.
Posted by: Leland Frances | Nov 1, 2007 11:14:05 AM
When MassRes commented on the previous story, I noted that they were quick to point out that her daughter was [gasp] adopted. For some reason I have a sneaking feeling that they'll blame that again for the daughter's "misguided" ways. If it wasn't sad it would be laughable!
j.
Posted by: Jonathan | Nov 1, 2007 12:13:40 PM
Don't forget Randall Terry. Being anti-gay was not his focus, but certainly up there on his list.
Also remember a few months back when Sam Brownback stood with his children and grandchildren and bragged that none of them were gay as if that made him a great family man? God help the one that is. I'm staying tuned for when one of them comes out.
Posted by: Steve - Geneva, IL | Nov 1, 2007 12:16:40 PM
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