IDIOT LOGIC — RNC chairman Michael Steele is only a few weeks into the job and already proven himself to be no ally to gays. He made a quick attempt at joining hands with queers by saying Republicans needed to do a better job reaching out to minority communities, and then scoffed at the idea of gay men and women being given the right to get married. In typical fashion, Steele — who says he responds to criticism by “pray[ing] on it” — continues to run his hateful mouth.
Although he tells GQ that being gay is “your nature” (by this we’re assuming he believes in biology?), he refuses to budge on the issue of gay marriage. And not because he’s “antigay” (his words!), but because he’s … um, pro-straight?
Well, my position is, hey, look, I have been, um, supportive of a lot of my friends who are gay in some of the core things that they believe are important to them. You know, the ability to be able to share in the information of your partner, to have the ability to—particularly in times of crisis—to manage their affairs and to help them through that as others—you know, as family members or others—would be able to do. I just draw the line at the gay marriage. And that’s not antigay, no. Heck no! It’s just that, you know, from my faith tradition and upbringing, I believe that marriage—that institution, the sanctity of it—is reserved for a man and a woman. That’s just my view. And I’m not gonna jump up and down and beat people upside the head about it, and tell gays that they’re wrong for wanting to aspire to that, and all of that craziness. That’s why I believe that the states should have an opportunity to address that issue. […]
Just as a general principle, I don’t like mucking around with the Constitution. I’m sorry, I just don’t. I think, you know, in a pluralistic, dynamic society as the one that we have, every five years you can have a constitutional convention about something, you know? I don’t think we should be, you know, dancing around and trying to amend it every time I’ve got a social issue or a political issue or a business issue that I want to get addressed. Having said that, I think that the states are the best laboratory, the best place for those decisions to be made, because they will then reflect the majority of the community in which the issue is raised. And that’s exactly what a republic is all about.
Alright, Mr. Steele, let the states deal with those pesky gays and their civil rights. Because we don’t need federal protection! It’s not like gay men and women deserve to be a protected class because they were born that way, like, I don’t know, people of color?
I don’t think I’ve ever really subscribed to that view [that homosexuality is a choice], that you can turn it on and off like a water tap. Um, you know, I think that there’s a whole lot that goes into the makeup of an individual that, uh, you just can’t simply say, oh, like, “Tomorrow morning I’m gonna stop being gay.” It’s like saying, “Tomorrow morning I’m gonna stop being black.”
[…]I mean, I think that’s the prevailing view at this point [that people are born on way or another], and I know that there’s some out there who think that you can absolutely make that choice. And maybe some people have. I don’t know, I can’t say. Until we can give a definitive answer one way or the other, I think we should respect that.
Landon Bryce
I’m a little shocked by the anger here. That the head of the RNC did a high profile interview this supportive of gay dignity shows tremendous progress for us. Yes, what he says is disgusting. But when the Democratic President does not feel he can consistently treat gay people with respect, I think Steele actually went out on a limb for gays here. I think he actually believes what he says and sees this as an opportunity to both improve the image of the party and to move it in a morally right direction. Of course, he’s an African American Republican, so he IS an evil, self-hating, hypocritical idiot. That goes without saying.
But I do not think he could have been more supportive of gays from his position.
Chitown Kev
Heh, heh, heh
There are so many different twists and takes in the blogosphere on these comments of Steele. Personally, I think he said all this because he wants out.
alex the sea turtle
He really has a hard time expressing himself because he isn’t being honest. It’s pretty clear he is saying half what he believes and half what he is suppose to say.
Chitown Kev
@Landon Bryce:
Yeah, that’s why I am a little surprised by Queerty’s take on this. But Steele has been a little chicken-shit shit about everything, flip flopping whichever way the wind blows. That’s what’s infuriating.
If you want to support the LCR’s and, to an extent, gay civil rights do that. Don’t lend a hand to them and then bitch-slap them with the same hand.
Don’t do minstrel shows with lame hip hop lingo that is old and tired thinking and call it minority community outreach.
Dude is a joke.
Eugene
“I just draw the line at the gay marriage. And that’s not antigay, no. Heck no! It’s just that, you know, from my faith tradition and upbringing, I believe that marriage—that institution, the sanctity of it—is reserved for a man and a woman.”
Well, uh, I have black friends and they share a lot of my values but I draw the line at black people getting married. It’s just that, you know, from my faith tradition and upbringing, I believe that marriage—that institution, the sanctity of it—is reserved for white people only. If you think my “argument” is crazy, you should have grown up in Apartheid South Africa. A lot of people did a lot of terrible things because it was their “faith tradition and upbringing”. I was supposed to believe a lot of those racist things too but I was one of those bad whites that actually supported human rights and actually listened to what God had to say. The way to eternal life is indeed hard, Mr Steele.
Alexa
I don’t know why anyone is surprised he’s against gay marriage. He’s supposedly the head Republican. He cowers before the almighty Rush. If Democrat politicians can’t even bring themselves to support gay marriage, why would we expect a Republican to? Minority or not.
Chitown Kev
@Eugene:
Yeah, that is the most insulting part of Steele’s comments, bring faith and God into a discussion in civil society.
Dave’s headline bugs me though. The way he sets it up with the “Civil Rights Beneficiary” part (which I don’t have a problem with) he makes it as though “gay marriage” is THE civil right. Actually, Steele more or less says that he is supportive of gay civil rights with the exception of gay marriage. The headline is a bit disingenious when one considers what Steele’s actual positions are, especially in the context of being the RNC Chairman. A
Landon Bryce
Eugene:
Please look at previous statements on gays from heads of the RNC. Yes, this is anti-gay. Yes, it’s disgusting. Yes, Steele has no spine. Yes, I hate him on principle.
But compare this to everything else ever said about us by people in his position. This is a historically supportive statement, just like Hillary Clinton’s affirmation that gay rights are part of human rights, and human rights is a cornerstone of American foreign policy.
So often I am angry when others turn a blind eye to those who oppress us. It’s interesting to feel isolated in recognizing that historic advances are being made for our people.
And, although he isn’t making those advances, credit for them ultimately must go to Barack Obama. He is creating a climate where people are less afraid to say the right thing. I am still stung by his failure to recognize that the fact that there has never been an open member of a sexual minority in a top level cabinet post made it a moral imperative for him to correct that historical travesty. I am angry that he acts as though it were a political necessity for him to disrespectful to us. And I angry that the gay media continues to allow him to pretend to be “a fierce advocate” for us and is deliberately underplaying stories critical of Obama.
But he is a magnificent, inspiring president. He has already made things better for us because he allows Americans to connect with their better natures. He leads by moral example.
Chitown Kev
@Landon Bryce:
Well, actually Steele’s position is no different from Obama’s.
And Obama DID a lot make advances on gay civil rights in Illinois, but he threw us under the bus during the Presidential campaign and courted homophobes to get the black and redneck votes.
osocubano
He claims he’s been “uh, supportive of a lot of my friends who are gay”…
Somehow, I don’t believe he has any friends.
DaveO
Once again, seeking to highlight the points of disagreement rather than acknowledge the progress that has been made. A Republican saying the things Steele did in this interview would have been unimaginable ten years ago. Hell, plenty of Democrats today are nowhere nearly as evolved on the issue as he is.
But because he has an R next to his name, it’s important to demonize him. I understand that.
Landon Bryce
Kev:
I disgree that Obama and Steele have the same position. Steele believes that I should be denied the same legal rights and human dignity that he has. Obama believes that I should have the same legal rights that he has but that I am not entitled to the same respect. They are both anti-gay positions, but they are significantly different.
Chitown Kev
@Landon Bryce:
LOL, Miss Steele has flip-flopped so much that we don’t know what his position is (pun not intended until I re-read it). But so has Obama. Steele’s comments are a slap in the face. But so was Obama’s embracing Donnie McClurkin’s, given the potency of that story.
Their positions are the same. Obama is just a better sweet talker at this point in time. But it’s still the same poison.
Landon Bryce
I disagree. But I’m going to point out that the most pro-gay American president and and the most pro-gay head of the RNC in history are both the first African American men to hold those positions. I am mad about relations between blacks and gays, but recognize that straight blacks are inarguably better allies than straight whites.
Damn straight white: can’t we all just agree to hate those motherfuckers and be done with it?
Anonymous
Republicans are against affirmative action, which is why they selected Steele, to show that it doesn’t work.
Chitown Kev
@Landon Bryce:
Hey, DeVal Patrick and David Paterson, Landon.
And Obama will do something. We have every protection here but marriage equality and we may have civil unions before the year is out.
Telly_Smitts
@Chitown Kev:
Yeah, It caught my attention also but I understand it to be in reference to the benefits afforded to Steele himself as a result of the Civil Right’s Movement.
Chitown Kev
@Telly_Smitts:
No I understand the reference. If the headline was about his inerracial marriage, for example, then it would be perfect. But the headline equates civil rights with (gay marriage equality). There are a lot more civil rights to fight for than just gay marriage.
Telly_Smitts
@Chitown Kev:
Thanks for clearing that for me, that went sooo over my head!lol
rick
the token still has his job? good grief the republicans were down to two racists and steele. steele has had to backtrack on abortion and gay rights and kiss limbaughs ass. the republican party is doomed, doomed i tells ya!
Sebbe
He’s so gonna be fired over his abortion misstep.