PHOTO: Though GOProud and other gay conservative groups were banned from hosting any events themselves at the conservative circle-jerk known as CPAC, a group calling itself Competitive Enterprise Institute was able to get approval for the LGBT-rights panel “A Rainbow on the Right,” held Wednesday night.
At the well attended event, an emotional Jimmy LaSalvia told the crowd, “This room is the future of the GOP.”
He went on to explain why conservatives have to be on the offensive regarding discrimination, according to Salon: “Bigotry has to be called out and condemned… If we don’t stand up to it, everyone will think we agree with it.”
Buzzfeed’s Chris Geidner snuck over to a panel run by the National Organization For Marriage, where he tweeted there was “lots of room.” Apparently NOM Brian Brown, Breitbart editor Ben Shapiro and anti-gay activist Cleta Mitchell just aren’t the draw they used to be.
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In the interest of fairness, here’s the photo NOM tweeted on it’s account. Um, are Shapiro, Mitchell and Brown in the witness-relocation program?
Photos: Dave Weigel, Chris Geidner, NOM
2eo
Every time I’m reminded Breitbart is dead makes it a happier day.
1EqualityUSA
NOMinal.
Cam
The sad thing is, the GOP KNOWS that being anti-gay is a losing platform for them, and yet they still have to cater to that shrinking bigoted base. You won’t see change in the party until they lose another election cycle or two.
But they do need to wake up, over a third of Americans under 30 don’t affiliate with any organized religion. The Number one reason given was that the churches are too political and bigoted.
1EqualityUSA
Our tax dollars fund these bigots. It’s time to start taxing these political hate mongers. Think of the bucks we could pull in if we taxed inappropriate religious organizations, Cam. With this younger generation and Republicans irrelevant, we may just be able to get it done.
Rob
@1EqualityUSA: State run churches? Ain’t gonna happen.
GayTampaCowboy
The GOP has moved so far to the right, and taken such ABSOLUTE positions on this issues of women’s reproductive rights, gay rights, immigration, taxes, and entitlements that any whisper of “compromise” is seen as a LOSS or surrendering their “values.”
The IRONY of this reality, is that it’s the intrinsic contradictions between these “positions” and their core value of “LESS GOVERNMENT” is being lost in the debate.
I think the best analogy is like when a couple is at counseling to repair or improve their marriage and when the therapist ask’s the couples what’s going on, their responses are on things like: he dosn’t put the seat down in the bathroom, he dons’t help with chores, she’s always nagging, etc. While these ARE issues, they are more SYMPTOMS of a deeper problem – a problem that can’t be worked on till the couple actually is HONEST about their feelings.
My advice to the GOP. Come out with a MANIFESTO that VALIDATES their position, BUT makes it clear that while the issues of abortion, gay rights, etc. have to be part of the national debate, that the GOP will now focus 100% of it’s efforts on the ECONOMY, THE DEFICIT, TAXES and SPENDING issues. Social issues need to be address on the state and local level – it’s not the role of Government to legislate social values.
This type of position would allow them to SPEAK out on social issues, but not legislate them. Clearly this would push 1/3rd of the GOP’s base away – but that group would then have to make the decision to STAY or go. If they go, they become a seperate party and will weaken their overall political power = and also the GOP’s political power. It’s a form of mutual assured destruction – which neither group wants or can afford.
In the absence of such a move by the GOP, they will continue to lose elections = and the white house for years to come. Or, at least till the 65+ demographic dies off and more moderate boomers have a voice.
1EqualityUSA
ROB, the churches are tax exempt. Who, then, pulls the sled?