Good As You

Why don't they just support the fictional Tea Party? I can understand that there are LQTBG(etc.) people who tend toward pre-1980 Republican principles, but supporting the current party? Don't get it.

This could be perfect, Jeremy. GOProud is basically forcing NOM, ADF, CWFA and FotF to sit down and face them as equals. These groups can bash outsiders much easier than it can bash people who share their views on many issues. GOProud is in a position to overturn radical Christian conservatism from the inside, should that be its goal.

I even get why one might support the current party, GDad. I have defended that, and will continue to defend it in the future (on a case by case basis).

But this is not the GOP itself -- this is a conference with clearly displayed acrimony for LGBT rights. To sponsor something like this?!? I'm sorry, but there's no explanation. Not a *valid* one, at least.

Brian: Well the one positive is that some on the far-right are going to go APESHIT about this. But that doesn't make the sponsorship any better.

And as for sitting down together: GOProud is a tiny, tiny outfit. They are signing up to place one small table on stretches of hostile turf. In fact, they are not only placing a table -- they are sponsoring the very idea that these tables should be on site, plotting new ways to take away our rights.

I only named four of the anti-gay groups. The sponsor list is abounding with other groups and outlets that have declared a "culture war" against our existences. Showing up on site and challenging these groups (even as a paid guest) is one thing. But sponsorships send undeniable signals. No group should EVER sign on to sponsor a conference where at least 75% of the co-sponsors deem you to be unfit for equality at best, and immoral perverts at worst.

Sorry, but no GOP alive today has ANYTHING of which to be proud - unless it's stomping certain groups under their heels. That is not to say there aren't any respectable GOP alive today, however.

I really don't want this to turn into bashing gay Republicans for the sake of it. My problem is with how our gay GOP groups conduct themselves.

I always worked very well with LCR until the 2008 election, when they (a) deliberately obfuscated or even flat-out lied about certain portions of the McCain/Palin record, and (b) sent out a fundraising letter suggesting that most all of their LGBT critics are intolerant, unreasoned asses:

http://www.goodasyou.org/good_as_you/2008/10/new-lcr-pitch-l.html

And now we have GOProud, a group that seems more willing to sell out LGBT activists and to sign on to far-right extremism than any gay GOP group to come before it.

For me it's not about gay Republicans. At all. It's about the bad and even offensive decision-making by these groups.

It's probably just my inner conspiracy theorist talking, but I'm starting to think that there aren't any real gays in this group, just right-wingers trying to discredit us.

What stuns me is that the CA Republican Party Platform explicitly calls for keeping even the most basic civil rights from the gays:

"We support the two-parent family as the best environment for raising children, and therefore believe it is important to define marriage as being between one man and one woman. We believe public policy and education should not be exploited to present or teach homosexuality as an acceptable "alternative" lifestyle. We oppose same-sex partner benefits, child custody, and adoption." – CA Republican Party Platform

Not a club I'd want to join.

If we are ever going to have same-sex marriage in all 50 states, apart from a SCOTUS ruling the only way to get there is to stop it from being perceived as a "liberal" issue. We know that the more visible we are, the more comfortable people become around us given enough time. By signing on to this conference, GOProud is taking a huge step forward for gay visibility in one of the most difficult and hostile places. That is an act of courage that I think should be applauded. As long as they stay principled in thier support for SSM and ENDA, and the repeal of DADT, I support this move.

Bryan -

given the somewhat lamentable record of gay republican groups in the past, do you really think it likely that turning up in a hostile environment is going to change hearts and minds?

Who'll even notice outside the actual conference participants?

Brian,

You are mistaken. The right wingers will be DELIGHTED to have anti-gay gays at their little meeting. It will be proof, you see, that smart gay people reject the evil gay agenda. It's evidence that even gay people know that they are worthless pieces of scum.

You may wonder how it can be that so many anti-gay activists have gay sons, even some working for them.

It's because it reinforces the idea that there are good gay people (those who rightly accept their shame and inferiority) and bad gays (who arrogantly think they are entitled to rights and equality). And since they don't hate ALL gays, just the bad ones, it proves to themselves that they are not bigots.

And they will joyously welcome GOPride. They will praise them for upholding "family values" (and for seeing themselves as inferior).

As a long-time gay Republican, I'm accustomed to the whole "self-loathing" accusations. I've always known better and just dismissed the claims.

But as for GOPride, I have to say that as best I can tell, this handful of individuals is truly self-loathing. They feel shame and disgust. And they seem to think that we deserve the mistreatment that we receive from their buddies.

These poor sad pathetic little men probably deserve our pity more than our contempt. We don't need to hate them, they already hate themselves.