Marco Rubio is often touted as the future of the Republican party, largely on the basis of being a Latino in a party that has been, to put it mildly, not friendly to people who aren’t white (i.e., the demographic destiny of the U.S.). Based on Rubio’s remarks at an antigay fundraiser over the weekend, the future looks a lot like 1987.
In a 22-minute speech before for Florida Family Policy Council’s annual fundraising dinner, Rubio never once uttered the word “gay.” Of course, he didn’t have to. He used every other dog whistle at his disposal to signal to the attendees that he was with them.
“We hear about keeping God out of our schools, keeping God out of our politics, keeping God out of other people’s lives,” Rubio said. “This is a ridiculous debate, because God is everywhere at every time.”
Moreover, Rubio’s presence sanctified the homophobia on display. The Florida Family Policy Council led the anti-marriage equality campaign in Florida, and its president John Stemberger has been on a tear condemning the Boy Scouts for allowing gay troop members. The Council is also a big proponent of ex-gay therapy.
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The fundraiser honored Matthew Staver, head of Liberty Counsel, a religious right legal group that has opposed California’s ban on ex-gay therapy, participated in a challenge to New York’s marriage equality law, and has served as legal counsel to a woman who illegally fled the country with her daughter after her ex-partner won custody rights.
And if that wasn’t enough anti-gay hate, both before and after Rubio’s speech videos played touting all the wonderfully homophobic things the Council has done.
Rubio may think that he gets a free pass by not overtly bashing gays in his comments. He ought to know better. By going out of his way to raise money for the Council he is affirmatively enabling its attacks on the LGBT community and perpetuating the extremism that is ripping apart the GOP. Rubio is looking to build his base for his expected presidential campaign, but given how fast the country is accepting LGBT issues, he’s playing to an increasingly small part of the electorate.
Lie down with dogs, get up with fleas. Somebody better start filling an extra large order of Advantage for Rubio.
Caleb in SC
He is so desperate to be president, his ambition clings to him like cheap cologne.
Aires the Ram
My take-away from this article is one simple statement towards the end:
“perpetuating the extremism that is ripping apart the GOP”
Cam
Next he’ll be raising money for the KKK, but don’t worry, it’s ok, he won’t mention Black people or Jews.
jwtraveler
Rubio is not a Latino. He is a white Cuban-American. The fact that his parents came from a Spanish-speaking country doesn’t change the color of his skin.
LubbockGayMale
Just because I don’t say ‘kike’ when I give the Nazi salute, I guess I’m not anti-semitic? said the president of KKK!
Teleny
Rubio is a moron.
LadyL
God, he’s a such an ass.
LadyL
@LadyL: Clumsy fingers. Strike the “a”
Bob LaBlah
The best “bet” for the GOP latin wing (if one does exist) is Gov. Martinez of N.M. She is BROWN, does NOT deny it…..oh, but there is the problem. She also jumped shipped and stopped dead short of calling Mitt Romney the pendejo that he is for saying Obama “bought” votes with scholarship money ALREADY approved before the campaigned even began.
As for this little knucklehead, he knows if he carries the flag that would mean that the Florida Anti-Castro nuts would have to admit WHITES never were the majority in Cuba and that Batista allowed the very social conditions that existed for decades fester until the people had finally had enough and said communism was better that what this “elite” was “offering”. Revolutions do not take place unless the people have had enough and rise up AGAINST a MODERN EQUIPPED, U.S. BACKED ARMY.
Thank you so much for opening your mouth again Mr. Rubio. I see a new light on just was DID happen in Cuba each time you do. One final question: why are people of COLOR practically absent from your anti-Castro rallies and those who do show up have NO speaking roles?
KDub
You’d think he’d be more sensitive as a Latino. But he probably doesn’t even care about the struggles of his own people, so his anti-gay stance doesn’t really bother me. Bet he’d throw his own madre under the bus if it meant getting in good with the repubs.
Degas
Rubio co purchased a home in Florida with a male friend. The friend is a republican congressman. They lived together for many years. The house is now in foreclosure, as is his soul.