When last we heard from GOProud, it was celebrating a pitiful victory: being able to attend CPAC, the big right-wing shindig from which it had previously been banned. As it turns out, that will be the last we’ll ever hear from GOProud. The organization dedicated to proving that LGBT wingnuts can be just as obnoxious as their straight counterparts is going out of business
In a story broken by the Bilerico Project, GOProud first denied that it was shutting its doors, saying “Nothing could be further from the truth,”( except, possibly, GOProud itself). But eventually the group’s leaders found the appropriate spin and fessed up.
“We’re leaving GOProud behind and re-branding the chapters,” Executive Director Matthew Bechstein told Bilerico Project. “There have been concerns among our members and investors about whether or not we can continue to grow and be effective without severing ourselves from past controversies,” Bechstein said in a separate statement.
The past controversies to which Bechstein refers are numerous. Founders Chris Barron and Jimmy LaSalvia love to wallow in controversy, making endless political hay out of the fact that the group was banned from having a booth at CPAC. The pair left the group just over a year ago, but only after blazing a trail deep into the forest of political offensiveness, including support for U.S. soldiers desecrating the corpses of dead Taliban soldiers, endorsing a string of candidates who were openly antagonistic to gay causes, and waiting until January of last year to endorse marriage equality, but only as a state-by-state effort.
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Bechstein and Ross Hemminger took over the reins upon the departure of the dynamic duo and seemed interested in a more conciliatory approach to the right-wing base which despises them for who they are. Thus their attendance at the CPAC convention last February, but only as guests. Barron was so infuriated by the move that he resigned from GOProud’s board of directors. In the meantime, LaSalvia gave new meaning to the word “belatedly” by announcing he was leaving the Republican party because it was homophobic.
Bechstein insisted to Bilerico Project that the group’s dissolution is a technicality, because it plans to re-form. “Technically, as some argue, this would be a legal closure,” he emailed. “But if it were to actually happen, it would only be momentary and certainly not the end of our organization.”
However, as the Bilerico Project story makes clear, Bechstein’s ideas for reconstituting GOProud are wrong. Once the group is dissolved, it’s gone. A whole new group would have to be formed in its place. What are the odds of that? Our guess is about the same odds that GOProud had of getting a booth at CPAC.
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ingyaom
“investors”?
Were they distributing profits to shareholders?
Lvng1tor
I’m sorry…a very special Blossom was on…did you say something?
sectbrawn
This was the same group that sponsored a night out with that warthog Ann Coulter where the original Mr. duckface himself, Michael Lucas got into a pissing contest with Coulter. Sad to see an organization of self-loathing gays go by the wayside.
Mezaien
In Germany, in the late 30`s we call them Braunhemd,(brown shirts) now you call them GOP, or Christian.
lykeitiz
@Lvng1tor: ROFL……No, nothing important. Your time was spent wisely.
Cam
Look, They did their job. Their job was to give cover to the GOP for being anti-gay. Log Cabin had been called out too many times and so was useless for that anymore.
The board of GOProud was nearly all non-gay, it was funded by very conservative groups and their only job was, when a republican was attacked for being anti-gay to come in, defend him, and try to change the subject.
blondeboyz
Yeah….buh-bye. Don’t let the door knob penetrate your butt hole on the way out. (You know you self loathing queers would secretly love that.)
BJ McFrisky
I’ll say it again: Political conservatives have treated me so much better as a gay man than gays have treated me for not being liberal.
The presumption among LGBers that if you’re not a heterosexual white male then you must be a liberal is laughable, arrogant, and naïve.
Keep up the good work of alienating your own.
tdx3fan
@BJ McFrisky: So, actively campaigning on base of destroying your basic human rights is treating you well? Do you go after abusive men as well? Must be such a sad life.
If you vote at the national level for conservatives, you are voting against human rights, and for what? A few measly dollars in tax savings at the expense of government programs that help working families?
We liberals don’t treat you well because you don’t treat us well. You want your cake and you want to eat it as well. You piggy back off the rights that liberals have earned for you while complaining about them. You get the treatment you deserve.
Kieran
The worst thing that could happen to the gay community would be for the GOP to reach out to gay voters the way they do for black and jewish voters. That would be an awful situation for us. Better that we have nobody else to vote for but democrats.
Cam
@BJ McFrisky: said…
“I’ll say it again: Political conservatives have treated me so much better as a gay man than gays have treated me for not being liberal.”
___________________________
You’ll have to remind me again, when was it exactly that gays tried to pass laws preventing you from getting married, legalizing your being fired, preventing you from contractually owning a business, etc….
I find it odd, that you seem to think somebody smiling at you and shaking your hand while at the same time advocating against all of your civil rights is “Treating you better”. That is a staggering disconnect.
BJ McFrisky
@tdx3fan: First of all, ChairMan, I’m not a conservative, I’m a libertarian—I simply stated that conservatives have more respect for me as a gay man than liberals have for me as a non-liberal. Dem’s de facts. This makes conservatives more compassionate in the area of human interaction than it does liberals.
And at least Republicans want me to keep what I earn and not forward it to the non-working class who depend on my wages to buy their tattoos and oxycodone. If you enjoy sacrificing half of your wages to professional takers at the behest of liberals, then more power to you.
BJ McFrisky
@Cam: Since I own a business, and have for 15 years, I guess that shoots down your theory that some evil entity out there wants to keep me from doing so.
Keep trying, Camilla, keep trying. One day you’ll get it.
Stache99
@BJ McFrisky: Just listening to you makes me realize how selfish some of you “compassionate conservatives” can be. All for me. None for thee is your religion.
Mr Burns is that you?
rdujetz
No one noticed, because no one cares. Good riddance to a bunch of self-loathing, dillusional elitists.
James Hart
Gays demonizing other gays is quite pitiful. Most gays, like most people, are not all one thing politically. There is nothing written that ALL gay men must subscribe to the ENTIRE liberal agenda or the ENTIRE conservative agenda. It’s time for everyone, including gays, to grow up. Everything isn’t black or white, but many shades of gray. I know plenty of gays who support the death penalty; lower taxes on the middle class; tougher laws when it comes to murder, assault, and battery; more efficient government; fewer benefits for the able bodied; opposed to illegal immigration; against political correctness; believe America needs a robust foreign policy; support strong two-parent families where fathers don’t abandon their responsibilities; opposed to unwed motherhood (unless the mothers can afford the children without relying on government); but at the same time support gay rights, including same sex marriage. This shouldn’t run them off of the gay “reservation” because, I’d guess, a majority of gay people could ascribe to most of the aforementioned views. Gays are not lemmings who must follow one set of beliefs because the gay “establishment” tells them they must. By the way, I’m a liberal on some issues, and a conservative on others. Just like MOST gay people, if they are honest with themselves.
BJ McFrisky
@Stache99: If it’s “selfish” in your opinion for me to want to keep what’s mine, then so be it. But if I choose to go on welfare, can I expect compassionate libs like yourself to finance my lifestyle?
BJ McFrisky
@James Hart: Bravo to you, sir, for possessing a mind of your own.
rdujetz
Gay Repubicans value their self image as “One-percenters” and the promise of lower tax rates more than their personal rights and freedoms. Apparently some people enjoy repeated bitch slaps from “Big Daddy”.
Cam
@BJ McFrisky: said…
“Since I own a business, and have for 15 years, I guess that shoots down your theory that some evil entity out there wants to keep me from doing so.”
__________________________
SO apparently you want to try to pretend that something that was said, WASN’T said.
You stated that conservatives were nicer to you than gays are. And I stated quite clearly the following…
“”You’ll have to remind me again, when was it exactly that gays tried to pass laws preventing you from getting married, legalizing your being fired, preventing you from contractually owning a business, etc….””
Please notice two things.
1. I said TRIED to pass laws. I did not say that they were successful everywhere. For example in VA. when they passed a law to prevent gays from entering into contracts with each other whether it be a house, a business partner ship etc…
2. I notice that the ONLY part you responded to was the part about business. You left out the part about preventing marriage and legalizing your being fired. Why leave out those? Oh that’s right, because they completely negate the point you were trying to make.
So once again, you claim that conservatives were nicer to you when you came out than gays, and I point out AGAIN, that you seem to consider being nice as trying to pass laws against your marrying, working, entering into contracts etc…
If you have to avoid a topic or misrepresent a post to make your point then that points out extreme problems with your points validity don’t you think?
And if you are purposely doing these things, then it seems to indicate that you realize there is a problem with your point but don’t seem to care.
Cam
@James Hart: said…
“Gays demonizing other gays is quite pitiful. Most gays, like most people, are not all one thing politically. There is nothing written that ALL gay men must subscribe to the ENTIRE liberal agenda or the ENTIRE conservative agenda. It’s time for everyone, including gays, to grow up. Everything isn’t black or white,”
__________________
What you say is true, however the problem isn’t with conservatives and liberals. It is with one party that has voted to grant gays rights and another party that has actively sought to demonize gays and fight against their rights.
This isn’t about which party is going to fix the roads, this is about one party that is actively seeking to attack you and another that is not. By their complete anti-gay focus the GOP has set up a block against gays that may agree with them on other issues from being able to freely support them.
It’s irrelevant if I agree with their stance on trade, if they are pushing to legalize firing gays and for businesses to not do business with me, then the rest of their platform is irrelevant because I can’t support a party that wants to prevent me from functioning.
Stache99
@James Hart: @BJ McFrisky: Nice try. My guess is that you’re the “sometimes liberal” when things effect you and conservative concerning others you deem unworthy. Yes you toe the conservative line quite well.
BJ McFrisky
@Stache99: Well, I lean socially liberal and fiscally conservative, to be precise, so sure, I’m a “sometime liberal.” But I toe the line of neither the RNC nor the DNC—that’s for less intelligent people to do.
Cam
@BJ McFrisky:
And yet you defend conservatives as being nice to you as they are attempting to pass laws against your rights.
Please point out any time you have “Leaned” liberal since I cannot recall one.
ThomC
Hey BJ, you truly believe everyone who gets government assistance buys tattoos and drugs with their money, don’t you? If that were the case a bunch of Oklahoma residents who’s homes were blown away during a tornado would be covered and drooling. Alabamans too. And the entire state of Texas, after their droughts and wildfires. Those Iowan Corn Farmers must be using their government handouts for crack cocaine and John Deere tribal tatta… Simply put: you find it perfectly fine to claim you are being attacked because of who you are but you are fine attacking those you are basing an assumption on. Those conservatives you align yourself with, in the majority, would be pretty much happy with the elimination of every gay man and woman on this planet and if they can’t treat us – who pay our taxes, many in committed relationships without the benefits afforded to others – as third and fourth class citizens. I agree, not every conservative can be lumped into that group, but alas, too many can…
James Hart
@Stache99: Please don’t demonize others just because they differ from you on some issues. I don’t defend the stupidity of either the radical right or the loony left. By the way, I’m a registered Democrat who judges each candidate with regard to their stands on the issues. I don’t just vote for someone because they either have a “D” or an “R” after their name. There are a lot of problems in America, like a lack of gay rights AND a gigantic national debt AND illegal immigration with which future generations of gays are going to also have to contend. Just imagine the tax bills of future gay Americans who will be saddled with the national debt. There are a lot of issues which need correction. Don’t be so close-minded.
Cam
@James Hart:
And yet what you fail to mention is that The GOP and Bush inherited a Surplus and turned it into a deficit within one year. Finishing his presidency with the economy in full economic meltdown (Remember John McCain suspending his campaign for President to rush back to Washington to push through the TARP Bailout?)
Since that time under a Dem President the Deficit has been drastically cut. But please, by all means keep spouting the outdated rhetoric that the GOP is the party of fiscal conservatives.
And again, tell me how gays will be able to contend with anything if a party that supports outlawing any civil rights for them gains power? Worrying about the transit system kind of takes a backseat when laws are being passed proposed by one party that says businesses don’t have to serve you and you can’t enter into contracts with others.
BJ McFrisky
@Cam: I lean liberal on many issues, but am under no obligation to list them for the likes of you. Find another project.
Cam
@BJ McFrisky:
You aren’t under any obligation, but when you discribe Conservatives as treating you well and try to dodge the fact that they attempt to pass laws against you, it is quite interesting to hear that you consider yourself liberal in areas.
Civil rights are a fairly basic area of liberalism.
And again, I notice that you only answered the one area of my post that you could type a response to without having to explain why the defense against people pushing anti-marriage, anti-gay civil rights etc…
IF you know for a fact you cannot defend Republicans pushing anti-gay laws like that, then it again shows an extreme disconnect to continue to defend them.
AxelDC
GOProud was formed to undermine Log Cabin, who was becoming less Republican as Republicans became ever more antigay. Log Cabin is now a laughing stock, so GOProud has no need to exist. The pink astroturf can be thrown away now.
BJ McFrisky
@Cam: I’ve never defended a Republican who pushed anti-gay laws (nor a Democrat, including darling of the Left Bill Clinton). Ever. So stop projecting your drama onto others.
James Hart
@Cam: Both parties are responsible for the huge national debt (Medicaid, social welfare, corporate welfare, defense spending, etc.) and both parties supported the Iraq War; I remember Hillary Clinton supporting it. It was just a few years ago that the Democrats, and remember I’m a Democrat, was the party of segregation and war mongering (World War I, World War II, Korea, Vietnam). And it wasn’t until 2012 that the Clintons and Obama supported same sex marriage. Remember: There are still many Democrats (polls show about 30%) who still oppose gay rights, especially in the African American community. Please, Cam, you seem very reasonable. Neither party is blameless, and you know that in your heart.
Cam
@BJ McFrisky:
You defended Chris Christie. And I noticed you ignored the comments about the GOP being anti-gay marriage, anti gay rights etc…. Keep on trying to avoid the issue.
Cam
@James Hart:
I never stated that neither party was blameless, but if, as you say, both parties are responsible for the debt, and yet only one party is actively working against gay rights, than that makes the choice quite clear wouldn’t you say?>
mc7777
Liberals and the modern Democratic Party seemed to have short lived memories. It was President Bill Clinton who signed DOMA into law then had the head of HRC arrested when he showed up at the White House to confront him. Additionally if you look back in history the Democratic Party has had the bloodiest hands in civil rights violations, as they supported slavery and segregation. Let us also not forget President Johnson’s quote of, “Having those voting democratic for the next 200 years.” The Democratic Party then saw what it practices now, pivot on civil rights through strategic use of identity politics and social programs, and secure that sect of voters. Voters vote for them as they are dependent on them (great way to base build, keep your job, and lavish lifestyle in politics.)
Today’s Liberal-Democratic Party continues this practice. President Obama’s flip flop support of gay marriage is proof- as he went on to say he was, “evolving,” as he is allowed to evolve his position and support, and as seemingly no other person or party can. (Wait, how is it he can evolve his position, however those raised told the bible said homosexuality is sin, can’t be allowed to reexamine and evolve their beliefs?)
I personally find myself in disbelief and embarrassed that gay people are attacking each other on this topic- we are dividing up and segregating our own kind on this issue (as we do with other aspects of being gay, “No fems,” “Straight acting only,” “Twinks and not bears or otters.”) In doing so you overlook the fact there are Gay Christians hard at work helping win the hearts and minds of those practicing faith. It is just easier for the gay community to use outburst of biblical literal translation and practice to attack anyone who opposes them.
When this happens, both sides fail. Both political parties failed on passing gay marriage (though the liberals and Democrats are taking the credit.) Our inept legislatures failed and the courts had/having to decide.
I commend GOProud for being brave and bold enough to reach across the aisle and try build unity of some kind- bipartisanship is a difficult task. Groups alike have to roll in the mud with the pig and greedy politicians, all while getting attacked by the party who claims to be for civil rights and no support by the scared polarized religious-conservatives.
James Hart
@Cam: Cam, you are correct that the official position of the Democratic Party is pro-gay while the official position of the GOP is hostile to gay rights. But never forget that approximately 30% of rank and file Democrats are opposed to gay rights and roughly 30% of rank and file Republicans support gay rights. You seem to be a reasonable guy. I’m sure you’ll agree we shouldn’t demonize fellow gays who differ with us politically. We need to encourage Republican gays to continue to fight the good fight, and we Democrats should be pushing Democratic politicians to be better stewards of our economy, our budget, our nation’s debt, our illegal immigration policies, along with a whole host of other pressing issues. Peace.
james_in_cambridge
@Lvng1tor: You’re smarter than the rest of us that wasted our time reading about this irrelevant bunch of self-loathing losers!
Stefano
@james_in_cambridge : Yep. I spend too much time on Queerty recently. I need a hobby. LOL
BJ McFrisky
@James Hart: Again: Bravo to you.
Cam
@mc7777: said…
“Liberals and the modern Democratic Party seemed to have short lived memories. It was President Bill Clinton who signed DOMA into law then had the head of HRC arrested when he showed up at the White House to confront him. Additionally if you look back in history the Democratic Party has had the bloodiest hands in civil rights violations, as they supported slavery and segregation. Let us also not forget President Johnson’s quote of, “Having those voting democratic for the next 200 years.”
_________________
Lets dissect your comment.
Yes, Clinton signed DOMA, it was a cowardly dick move. Please point me to all of the GOP at the time who dissagreed or spoke up FOR gay rights when he did it.
The next thing you have to go back to is to comment about Lyndon Johnson. Maybe not the best example since he SIGNED the Civil Rights legislation and stated clearly that doing so would lose the South for the party. Did it anyway.
As for the Dems supporting all of this other stuff, please remember that when the party moved away from that most of the rac-ists etc… left, and where did they end up? Strom Thurman? Oh that’s right, right to the Republican party.
But here’s a question for you. When you are trying to convince people to vote for the Republican party why can’t you talk about anything that the party is doing now? Because, their official position is anti-gay rights. It’s as simple as that.
Cam
@James Hart: said..
“@Cam: Cam, you are correct that the official position of the Democratic Party is pro-gay while the official position of the GOP is hostile to gay rights. But never forget that approximately 30% of rank and file Democrats are opposed to gay rights and roughly 30% of rank and file Republicans support gay rights. You seem to be a reasonable guy. I’m sure you’ll agree we shouldn’t demonize fellow gays who differ with us politically.”
______________________
But remember, which PARTY is voting for our rights and which PARTY is voting against it?
When somebody comes in here to defend an anti-gay bigot, or do defend the party that is seeking to do away with our civil rights, it isn’t demonetization to respond appropriately to somebody defending a person or group who wants to harm you.
i.e. IS it demonizing a black person who continually defends a KKK member running for office advocating taking the vote away from blacks? Is it WRONG of other blacks to disssagree with that supporter? OF course not.
james_in_cambridge
@Cam: Don’t waste your breath Cam. These Gop-lovin’ idiots are one of two things: they either hate Democrats because there are too many dirty minorities in the Party and they wanna do away with ’em (or at least be segregated from them like the good ol’ days) or they love money and hate the poor and don’t want to pay one red cent in taxes to support any government programs or even regulations, until their business goes bankrupt, of course, then they’ll go screaming to the Feds to bail them out in one way or another. Or they only support middle class entitlements like Medicare but they still don’t want to pay any taxes; they apparently think you can have one without the other, which is what makes them conservatives (apparently if you believe in Jeebus enough, he’ll give you your social security without you having to pay anything in taxes.) You can’t reason with either type of gay conservative; they’re either completely callous human beings or stupid, take your pick.
FStratford
@James Hart:
@BJ McFrisky:
“Gays demonizing other gays is quite pitiful”
Totally Agree!!! In fact, it is downright hypocritical, nasty, when gays deny other gays their basic human rights for the sake of money and power for themselves.
Here’s a list:
Edgar Hoover
Mark Foley
Ted Haggard
Larry Craig
Bob Allen
Glenn Murphy Jr.
Steve Wiles
Caleb Douglas Hesse
George Rekers
Eddie Long
Troy King
Richard Curtis
David Dreier
Bruce Barclay
Roy Ashburn
Ed Schrock
Robert Allen
Phillip Hinkle
All Republican. All against equal rights, equal protection under the law, and equal opportunity for LGB. All hypocrites. All self-loathing. All scums of the earth.
1EqualityUSA
Pow, whap!, FStratford!