On Tuesday, Bruce Harris was sworn in as mayor of Chatham Borough, NJ, becoming what’s believed to be the first openly gay African-American Republican mayor in U.S. history.
Um, congrats?
Before winning election in November, Harris, 61, served the borough on various boards and commission and was on the city council for two terms. “I have felt it is my duty to serve the community,” Harris told the Daily Record. “I think that public service is interesting, and finding ways to meet the challenges facing a small community like Chatham Borough is personally rewarding.”
Hey, we’re not gonna automatically hate on Harris: Republicans can be moderate, even allies, on the local level and Harris was endorsed by the Victory Fund in 2011.
How about we take this to the next level?
Our newsletter is like a refreshing cocktail (or mocktail) of LGBTQ+ entertainment and pop culture, served up with a side of eye-candy.
We just wanna know if he has magic powers or a pot of gold?
Cam
Dan, you are right, Republicans CAN be moderate.
Unfortunately the party has declared war on all of their moderates. So the problem with electing the moderates at this point, is that the party won’t listen to them and will often times attack them and try to kick them out. Maybe this guy will help change things, but I’m not holding my breath.
Fitz
Cam is exactly correct. The new republican reality is that “Moderate” has become a demonizing word.
I do not trust a gay, Black republican. That amount of quisling energy can’t be good.
The Minionaire
Yeah exactly, It’s like a Gay version of Herman Cain. No Thank You.
Dave
Queerty jokes about lynching. A new low for the most digusting and unprofessional gay blog on the internet.
Matt
Unicorn?! No, he’s just a sellout.
GOD (gay old dude)
He’s not a sellout. He’s not a traitor, nor is he a self-loathing gay black homo sapien American. He’s an honest man who believes in his convictions, and he doesn’t give a shit what people like Queerty readers think. Independent thought—what a concept! Those who profess tolerance (until it comes to someone you disagree with) could learn a lesson from this.
Robert in NYC
Only one republican, Ileana Ros-Lehtinen signed on to the Respect for Marriage bill introduced by Senator Patrick Leahy (D), 32 have signed so far. Why aren’t there more moderate republicans on board if they’re that plentiful? I dont expect any more to add their signatures, they don’t have the backbone, the courage or the character. Politics before the people as usual.
CBRad
@GOD (gay old dude): No no no! You can’t have independent thought in the gay ghetto. Altogether now, like robots : “Sellout. Uncle Tom. Self-hating…say in in robotic monotone. Don’t even think about it. ” Young gay dudes (and gals) out there….take note of this closely. This type of cultishly uniform reaction is what you have to look forward to if you’re gay.
ousslander
@CBRad: better watch out, the brownshirts will be coming for you and GOD if you don’t tow the party line
CBRad
@ousslander: They try to all the time ! But Manhattan gays are too wussy to be physical like the SA so they will try to get you through sneaky underhanded ways.
GreatGatsby2011
@Dave: Am I missing something? I’ve read this post several times looking for a reference to lynching and am unable to find it. As to the second half of your comment, what does it say about the fullness of your life that you can find nothing better to do than read and comment on “the most disgusting and unprofessional gay blog on the internet”? Dude, get a hobby. Might I suggest philately? Your local post office would be more than willing to help you start. Or you can try http://stamps.org/Starting-a-Collection.
Dave
The reference to lynching is in the box above the title to this post. “Strange Fruit” is a reference to Blacks in the 20’s and 30’s who hung from trees after being lynched. Queerty thinks this is the stuff of humor.
Don Vincent
Wow, talk about caddie, stereotypical gays!
You immediately jump to the assumption that Mr. Harris is evil because he is a Republican. You would think that all of us gays would look a little deeper … You obviously don’t know Bruce Harris, because if you did, you would all change your hateful options.
Don Vincent
For all the haters, I meant opinions, not options (damn how I hate spell checkers…)
Esculapio Mitiríades Torquemada de la Cueva
@Don Vincent: “Wow, talk about caddie, stereotypical gays!”
It’s pronounced “Katie.”
tabby
hi…im 15 and im striaght….but i read threw these comments…im doing a reasearch paper on this man for black history month….some of yall have some good points but others are just being ignorant…i beleive it doesnt matter what your sexualality is. as long as u got good intentions and u beleive strongly for somethen it shouldnt matter. and if people are just going to shoot this man down because he is gay they have some serouse issues. its nobodys business to what he does on his free time. and at least he had the guts to come out and share that with the world. unlike some people he doesnt care what others thank of him. hes a strong man. and he will be a great mayor. people can get over it…thank you.
christopher di crapito
@tabby: You should learn to spell properly before you submit that paper.