Oh to be a young, white affluent conservative gay man. The cards are really stacked against them.
They’re like rare birds — you know they’re flying around the jungle somewhere, but finding them can prove to be quite the challenge. The squawking is the same, too.
But Reason TV wanted to find these near-mythical creatures at last weekend’s Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC). And what is the gay equivalent of birdwatching? Grindr of course.
So they set up a profile — “Gay at CPAC?” — and waited for them to start flapping.
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.
And they got such displays of internalized homophobia as this fun exchange:
Reason TV: “Do you identify as being gay?”
Gay guy who wouldn’t agree to show his face on camera: “I would have to if I was being honest — yes.”
While Jeb Bush was literally in the next room telling Sean Hannity and a room full of supporters that he has not changed his views on gay marriage and “believes in traditional marriage” only, these self-described gay conservatives were cruising Grindr during their moments away from the busy convention floor.
Take a look:
Low Country Boy
Who cares about self-loathing, closet-cases? I had sex with enough of them that I can say I am not impressed.
Disciple
CPAC consists of many different people, not all of them are the loony social type. Many are just fiscally conservative or libertarian.
LandStander
@Disciple: Haha, this is the funniest joke I’ve heard all week! Thank you… Oh… You were being serious…?
Giancarlo85
How can you be part of CPAC? This is an extremist group. And whenever some say “fiscally conservative” I just shake my head. “Fiscal conservatism” is good for one group of people… they are called Wall Street and the 1%. Koch Brothers.
CPAC is a social conservative group period.
pjm1
The much demonized Koch brothers are strong advocates for gay
marriage, for legalization of pot and are major funders of judicial/prison reform
meant to get people OUT of prison. So, there are different stripes of conservative.
On the other hand, the Presidential politicians there are homophobes and they have
got to go.
Giancarlo85
@pjm1: Except that’s all wrong. They gave $4.5 million to the anti-gay Hertiage foundation. they aren’t strong advocates for gay marriage. Don’t know what you’re smoking.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/10/23/koch-brothers-gay-marriage_n_6035958.html
They might say they are “in favor of same sex marriage”, but they seem to be funneling millions into anti-gay groups and into the anti-gay republican party.
They fund CPAC and other major conservatives, and they are the ones undermining this entire country with their manipulation.
Giancarlo85
Don’t know how anybody can defend those rich elitists anyways… they are doing anything to undermine the American worker and look at who they are funding. They think they can buy elections. And I just can’t stand it one bit when someone claims they are “fiscally conservative or libertarian” blah blah blah… have these people been sleeping under a rock in the last recession? Libertarianism is a big pile of nonsense… austerity never works and giving handouts to Wall Streets ends up with the money disappearing.
These so called “fiscal conservatives and libertarians” are selling this country out to corporations. and the Koch brothers peddle this crap all the time.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/01/06/congress-volcker-rule_n_6426158.html
How can anyone defend these two timing hypocrites? Oh yes, and the Koch Brothers will be responsible for another 2008 recession if they got their way. Perhaps… something even worse than the 2008 recession.
pjm1
@Giancarlo85:
the Heritage Foundation, like the ACLU for example, has many
causes.
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0812/80483.html
pjm1
@Giancarlo85: well, looking at things
a different way, just b/c people do not agree with our own views does not make
them bad people or evil. That is a problem in the current discourse i think, when
people don’t agree they demonize to often. As for gay marriage, it is the anti-marriage
equality folks who are upset b/c they have essentially lost that battle.
Giancarlo85
@pjm1: You are covering up the real facts. The Heritage foundation is socially conservative. They are antigay marriage and anti-ENDA.
And yes they are bad and evil. They are coming up with views that are catastrophic for this country. You seem to excuse what these libertarian liars and fiscal conservative losers are doing to this country. They are deeply corrupt and evil. They are selling this country out. Get a grip please.
Giancarlo85
We cannot permit these corrupt conservative oligarchs to destroy this country, the environment and our futures. Your sugarcoated words are naive and have nothing to do with reality. compromise with the right wing is not and never will be an option.
jwtraveler
@pjm1: They’re also strong advocates for keeping as many people in poverty as possible and raping the earth to increase their enormous fortunes.
jwtraveler
@pjm1: The ACLU has only one cause: Defending people’s civil liberties as defined by the U.S. Constitution.
Giancarlo85
@jwtraveler: The Heritage foundation assaults liberties and tells people how to live. The exact opposite.
Disciple
@LandStander: I was serious a lot of libertarians attend because they are fiscal conservatives. Please do not lump them with the fascists aka social conservatives. :p
Disciple
As far as accusing libertarians of lying I am no libertarian though we agree on much same with progressives. I am independent for the record.
Disciple
@Giancarlo85: I am not defending or attacking anyone, I was merely pointing out that there is a diverse group at CPAC. Once can be fiscally conservative without selling the people out to corps, things are not as simple as you are painting them on these issues.
Saint Law
@pjm1: “The much demonized Koch brothers”.
We don’t need to ‘demonize’ them – they are demons.
Saint Law
@Disciple: They are indeed a diverse bunch: there’s the ignorant, the stupid, the insane and the evil.
Disciple
@Saint Law: I am sorry if I do not share that view reality is far more complex than that…especially when discussing politics. CPAC does have a significant group of socially liberal youth who are fiscally conservative, that has to count for something. I just do not feel right ignoring them as if they are non existent, it feels wrong to group them with the loons.
It is more than evident there are baddies there, I am not disagreeing but lumping them all together to throw out is just hasty and unwarranted.
Ottoman
Libertarians and “fiscal conservatives” are exactly the same as all the rest of the right wing lunatics. Small government and lax regulations benefit the ruling class and being fiscally conservative always means dismantling and vilifying social programs that moved society from the 19th century feudal system to the 20th century American Dream for all. It’s funny how few libertarians relocate to such government free Utopias like Somalia and Honduras, the home to the Americas most dangerous city.
Giancarlo85
@Disciple: Err wrong. All fiscal conservatives are either directly or indirectly selling this country out to corporations. They are all full of shit too. Their views hurt millions of people when they try to go after social programs. They just don’t get it. Fiscal conservativism only benefits a few of the rich and elite. The faster you realize this the better.
Giancarlo85
@Disciple: CPAC contains socially liberal youth? Oh really? Like who? If you are social liberal and you are part of that group there is something wrong with you. And what group exactly? The self hating Log Cabin Republicans? Are they even invited lol?
I am sorry but everyone part of CPAC and the Republican party are the problem. Every last one of them. If these so called social liberals in CPAC had any intelligence they wouldn’t be part of that insane extremist group. But then again they don’t actually exist as CPAC is a social conservative group.
I just roll my eyes when someone says “but I am socially liberal and fiscally conservative”… Talk about a walking contradiction. If you are fiscally conservative you are destroying social safety nets and hurting millions of everyday people… You are not socially liberal. Some need to stop being so delusional.
wysevice27
Conservative = force morality down your throat, even if it results in oppression //
Liberal = force equality down your throat, even if it results in Communist misery //
Libertarian = live and let live
Ladbrook
I was in the DC area a few yrs ago during CPAC for an unrelated commitment and let me just say, it was easy pickin’s. I was using A4A and was in a hotel occupied by a lot of CPAC peeps. I ended up in a three-way with two of them. Both were married (!!!) and they had no sexual hang-ups once things got going.
The funny part was that one of them apparently blabbed to a few others at CPAC and my account got hit with a bunch of messages asking me if I wanted to hook-up. The whole thing was just insane. If CPAC is in anyway representative of the conservative movement’s “grassroots” then it’s safe to say that there are A LOT of closet cases out there encouraging us to vote for homophobes. Sad but true.
Disciple
@Giancarlo85: Most in both of America’s political parties are part of the problem, it is little more than naive to suggest some game of left and right in this regard. Both parties have sold our future out to big business along with the aid of the scotus in things like citizens united. We can go on for hours about who is to blame for what but I would rather not…suffice to say greed and lust for power is rampant and rules most in our government.
In regard to fiscal conservatives, I am using this to mean those who believe in responsible government spending. This is a very different thing than those in favor of removing all regulation. Spending responsibly on the people is good, spending irresponsibly on the people is bad.
Yes the majority of CPAC is wacky, no not all of them are…. is the essence of what I was trying and failing miserably to relay…they do have moderates there as well you know.
If you have not noticed support for same sex marriage is up a great deal in right wing youth, 20 years ago this would never have been the case.
One can be both fiscally responsible and a supporter of social safety nets they are most certainly not mutually exclusive, I am not even sure why you draw that conclusion.
For the sake of clarity it should be noted I am talking of real fiscal conservatism not the Koch political movement it would be better to just call it responsible spending.
An example of bad spending… we spent over $300 million on a power plant in Afghanistan that is not even being used.. This is the sort of bad spending I think we can all agree is wasteful and it is this sort of spending that many who call themselves conservative want to cut. Cut the empire not the social safety nets.
In all of this I am playing the devils advocate I am a secular humanist and I am extraordinarily liberal in regard to social issues. All in all it is my hope that the people can find common ground, In retrospect I regret speaking on the issue as I did so hastily without a great deal of forethought.
wysevice27
@Disciple:
Hell yeah man.
Both the Democrat and the Republican parties are full of @#$%.
I support a married gay couple’s right to defend their marijuana crop with assault rifles.
Freedom for all.
Giancarlo85
@Disciple: Blah blah blah… nope. California seems to be doing fine and is creating surpluses. Oh and I need to mention democrats have a huge majority in the state legislator and hold every single state wide office. When we allowed a republican power he drove this state to the brink of financial bankruptcy. It took the brains of Jerry Brown to pull this state out of the mess it is in.
Oh and as I said before there is no left in America. There was the Green Party but they are not significant enough anymore (not that they were ever really a force in politics barring the 2000 Election). What left is there? The democrats? The democrats are right of center. The republicans are extreme right wing.
Those who believe in “responsible government spending”? Propaganda words. Those who are fiscally conservative believe in slashing government spending to such an extreme. They are not about responsible government spending. They want to cut welfare programs, even though those same welfare programs have 2 to 1 returns economically. They are actually good for the economy and the country. And then these same “fiscal conservatives” accuse those on welfare of being lazy. Wrong. Many who are on welfare actually do work. Others are the elderly and some veterans. Now we aren’t attacking the elderly and veterans are we?
The entire CPAC is wacky. They are useless and they provide no real answers or solutions for this country. And again, I’ll bring up Jerry Brown in the most liberal state in the entire country… someone who has real answers and real solutions, bringing the state back to prosperity with growth in multiple sectors while engaging in progressive economics and returned this state to a surplus. No republican and no conservative has ever produced a surplus. They only produce great deals of debt. They lie about everything and their ideas of cutting government spending actually have the opposite effect as intended.
I don’t care if they support same sex marriage in the minimal numbers of right wing youth that exist. “Right wing youth”? What a sad place to be in. How can somebody young be right wing? That doesn’t make any sense. Asides from that, the views of the right wing are incredibly dangerous to this country’s economy and future. The environment, for example, would be sacrificed because all of these fiscal conservative lunatics hate the EPA and all forms of regulation.
Bad spending? $300 million on a power plant? What about the billions going to Kentucky (Mitch McConnell) and not producing any real results. Asides from that the power plant in Afghanistan was started by a neo-conservative Bush and his criminal empire (which includes the CPAC and Republican Party). These are the guys you point to fiscal conservatism? You are delusional.
Fiscal conservatism has nothing to do with being “fiscally responsible”. You are posting lies and propaganda to peddle this fiscal conservatism nonsense. It has no basis in reality. It is all a lie and a myth. Fiscal conservatism leads to economic collapse and huge deficits. Fiscal conservatism ruined a country like Greece and Spain because by engaging in severe austerity it sent the country into a free fall. Fiscal conservatism is a vicious cycle that is like a fungus in society and it hurts everyone except the elite.
You are failing at devils advocate miserably. I don’t care who you are. I will not accept, I will not compromise and I will not listen to these fiscally conservative lunatics who are living in a parallel reality.
Giancarlo85
@Disciple: “One can be both fiscally responsible and a supporter of social safety nets they are most certainly not mutually exclusive, I am not even sure why you draw that conclusion. ”
I draw that conclusion based on the propaganda these nutcases espouse and by what they propose. Everything they state is not “fiscally responsible”. Again fiscal conservatism isn’t being fiscally responsible, it’s being a fiscal idiot who loves giving more money to the elite and destroying what’s left of the middle class.
Your views are incredibly destructive.
Responsible spending blah blah blah… why is it always the liberals engaging in responsible spending that produces surpluses? Why is it someone like Jerry Brown who restores billions to social programs and educations, also produces surpluses?
“Fiscal conservatism” will mean the death of this nation and ruin productivity. Government spending is vital to multiple projects. Even a company like SpaceX cannot survive without the billions in government grants… so it can build rockets for the future. Again all of that is made possible through government spending even though SpaceX itself is a private company.
“Fiscal responsibility” is just a talking point of those who don’t care for the people and the workers.
Giancarlo85
@wysevice27: What a pile of utter bullshit…
“Conservative = force morality down your throat, even if it results in oppression //
Liberal = force equality down your throat, even if it results in Communist misery //
Libertarian = live and let live”
Liberals do that since when? And here we go again with that brainless “liberal = communist” nonsense.
Libertarians are moronic idiots who don’t even know what they are espousing and they are sellouts to corporations. Nothing in their stupid philosophy is “live and let live”.
By the way, I’m a social democrat. Not in democratic party. I’m an actual leftist. If you think liberal = communist you’re naive.
Giancarlo85
@wysevice27: You can smoke your weed, but libertarians will tell you not to worry about the extreme levels of arsenic in your drinking water or the oil spills! Businesses always know what is best. Libertarians would disband what’s left of the EPA.
West Virginia… libertarian paradise.
http://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2014/07/10/study-mchm-chemical-in-west-virginia-spill-more-toxic-than-previously-reported
Regulation? WHO NEEDS REGULATION!?!?!?? BUSINESSES ALWAYS KNOW WHAT IS BEST.
Disciple
@Giancarlo85: It would be pertinent to say I do not follow talking points nor any parties ideals on these issues. I am not opposed to wise government spending and investment, I do not think anyone in their right mind would be.
I have not even given my views save that of spending wisely, how can you state that is incredibly destructive? In what way is not wasting money and using it wisely destructive? I agree that the waste being perpetrated by politicians on both sides is deplorable. Again I am NOT a republican nor am I lying nor am I trying to argue their positions. When I said devil’s advocate I simply meant I was trying to give voice to the minority in a CPAC gathering.
I am not a right wing fiscal conservative which you seem to imply is the case, I am not suggesting the government stop spending money…just that they do so in wisdom. This is not something we disagree on.
You continue to put up straw men to knock down and speak to me as if I am a republican which makes me wonder why I am even continuing this discussion.
I do not buy into the whole left vs right bologna. I am an independent as I said before, the reality of our problems exceed the limitations of political parties and ideology.
—————————————————————————-
My only real solid views if I were to give any here is that force is immoral and wrong unless used in the defense of individual liberty, and that the government should be more concerned with protecting its citizens rights and treating them equally rather than lining its pockets and continuing its path toward an oligarchical corporate police state.
—————————————————————————-
If you want to continue to use talking points man you will have to find someone who actually support what you are arguing against for I am not he.
Giancarlo85
@Disciple: Your arguments are a total utter mess. I’m sorry to say that. But if you’re trying to play devil’s advocate, you’re failing miserably at it.
Your views are incredibly destructive. Fiscal conservatism has nothing to do with saving. It’s about slashing and cutting. This has the opposite effect as intended. You didn’t even read what I posted for the most part. And I never said the democrats were good. They are better, however, than the republicans. And one long time democrat I talked about is far better than any other in this nation. Too bad he’s a bit too old to run for President.
There is no minority you talk about in a CPAC gathering. CPAC is a socially conservative group. Look at what they stand for and stop being ignorant.
They do so in wisdom? More talking points not based in reality at all. We definitely disagree. I believe in nationalization of certain industries and steep regulation. I believe in long prison terms for anyone who steals billions like the Wall Street crooks (who got away with their crimes in the 2008 collapse). How can someone who shop lifts a few times get years in jail, and these crooks get let off?
You seem to think I’m a democrat. You think wrongly. I am not putting up any strawmen. I’m posting in complete and total fact. You are not a real independent. There is no such thing. And in America, so called “independents” are right wing.
There is no left wing in America. The democrats are right of center and republicans are extremist like ISIL.
We are nothing alike and I’m glad. You stand against everything I stand for.
You are a liar and not a very good one.
wysevice27
@Giancarlo85:
“BUSINESSES ALWAYS KNOW WHAT IS BEST.”
—————————————————————————
No one’s ever said that, man.
What libertarians say is: regardless of how you feel about business, *government* clearly DOESN’T know what is best. When’s the last time your household budget was $15 trillion in the red?
So we’d be better off to leave decision-making to everyday average citizens like ourselves.
Live and let live. Let the people make their own decisions.
Giancarlo85
@wysevice27: Wrong again. Libertarians are full of crap and are selling this nation out to corporations. They want to destroy what’s left of the EPA. Libertarians are delusional idiots that live in fantasy. Government knows better than business, this is why I believe in certain nationalization and increasing labor unions in a country.
Leaving the decision making to everyday average citizens? No. Because everyday average citizens in this country spend way too much money and have huge credit card bills.
Live and let live bullcrap. Libertarians don’t know anything about reality. Let the people make their own decisions? Oh yeah, same stupid moronic argument people use about “state’s rights”. Let people decide on marriage… put it to vote blah blah blah blah blah…
Disciple
@Giancarlo85: I was not attempting any formal debate here man, this is a forum where I spoke in a drunken daze so I could regret it the next day. In any case, we do not have much to argue about, I would be more interested to see you and the libertarian debate since I have things in common with both of you. 🙂
Giancarlo85
If we let people “make their own decisions” in this country, we would have 40 states that banned same sex marriage, no legal system, interracial marriage would have been banned until the 1980s and George Wallace would have got what he wanted. Sometimes you can’t let people make their own decisions because it turns into tyranny of the majority… and unfortunately, there are large amounts of stupid people in this country that would allow that.
Giancarlo85
@Disciple: You have nothing in common with me and stop trying to act like you know my views. You defended this extremist CPAC group with everyone of its extremist members… and I criticized that.
Disciple
@Giancarlo85: I did no such thing, all I was trying to say was that there are some among them that are not so bad.
You are demonizing so many and even me now for a simple statement and views that we should not waste money keyword there is “waste” not spend. You have called names and accused, I do not know what your views are save they are quite incorrect when it comes to me. In any case I have had enough, I do hope you have a good day none the less and wish you well.
In love and respect.
wysevice27
@Disciple: @Giancarlo85:
I agree, Giancarlo, the only extremist I see here is you. You’re very intolerant. Anyone who is not 100% in-line with your views = bad, horrible, awful, evil person to be demonized, mocked, and totally shut down.
I can’t handle all this negativity, bro. I’m outta this thread. Peace man.
Giancarlo85
@Disciple: I am right to demonize them. They are dangerous to this country with their extremist point of views. These conservatives are going to sacrifice this country for their own selfish gain. That’s something you and the other extremist libertarian doesn’t quite seem to grasp. “Waste money” is just a talking point. I have had enough of you too and the other idiot who is now spouting off accusations.
Giancarlo85
@wysevice27: You’re the extremist because all libertarians are extremists. They are corporatists in sheeps clothing and the sooner you realize this the better. You’re the one that is intolerant. You use stupid blanket terms to show your own pompous arrogance. You call “liberals” communists. You have major problems. Conservatives cannot be reasoned or compromised with. Libertarians are nothing more than conservatives in sheep clothing to fool people like you.
Yes run along… it’s obvious you can’t handle criticism of your weak viewpoints. You can’t handle it when I called you up on the “liberal = communist” reference. You sound like a talking head on Fox News. Maybe next time use your mind.
Giancarlo85
Just hilarious, wyservice… the guy who called liberals commies is calling me an extremist. Another fool with American exceptionalist sunglasses on.
He is someone who has no understanding of the world around him. He thinks everything in an American perspective. Democrats are right wing to the rest of the developed world. The republicans are more right wing than the British National Party. That’s how demented the American political system is.
pjm1
@wysevice27: You may have noticed that
I stopped commenting on this thread awhile ago — that was intentional. For
some, you can point out that they hold their views to tightly and they take their own
views to seriously — you can point it out and some people will see it and others will not.
When someone holds their own views so tightly, at some point,
there is no real reason to have a discussion and it is wise to let go of the
conversation, as you have done.
Giancarlo85
@pjm1: Oh I am sorry.
I guess I offended your sensibilities.
Maybe I should be more accomodating of those who want to send the country into an environmental disaster and economic tailspin. They are just trying to “keep their own money”.
And the way you tried to paint the Heritage Foundation says more about you then anyone else.
And what is this about holding views too tightly? This is about having conviction for standing up for what is right and caring about the future. I have serious concerns that the right wing are going to destroy the environment and continue to allow companies to pollute. It will get so bad there won’t be any future worth saving. This is why I have a ZERO COMPROMISE approach towards libertarians, conservatives, and all other wolves in sheep clothing.
At any rate, have a great day. I have a busy day ahead of me.
CoachS
@Giancarlo85: @pjm1: @Disciple: @wysevice27: “Only when we learn to conform and follow our leaders blindly, will we know what it’s like to truly be free”. Maj Frank Burns
pjm1
@CoachS:
Frank Burns: “That’s not my department, sir – intelligence is something I try to avoid.”
Colonel Flagg: “You think you’re real smart. But you’re not smart; you’re dumb. Very dumb. But you’ve met your match in me.”
Giancarlo85
“This country was founded by a group of slave-owners who told us all men are created equal. Oh yeah, all men, except for Indians and n**gers and women, right? I always like to use that authentic American language. This was a small group of unelected, white, male, land-holding, slave-owners who also suggested their class be the only one allowed to vote. Now, that is what’s known as being stunningly and embarrassingly full of shit. And I think Americans really show their ignorance when they say they want their politicians to be honest. What are these fuckin’ cretins talking about? If honesty were suddenly introduced into American life, the whole system would collapse!” – George Carlin.
jwtraveler
@Giancarlo85: and all: Don’t bother with wysevice27. He’s a very simple guy: Selfish, rich, white man concerned with nothing else but maintaining his wealth and privilege regardless of how it hurts anyone else. Quintessential Log Cabin Republican. This is not my opinion; he has stated as such. Don’t expect him to care about anything but what benefits him most.
Dan P
The name calling and nastiness on here obliterates any objective discussion and analysis. Can we all try to “rise above” this? I will probably now be attacked, just watch.
CoachS
@Dan P: Hear Hear! Why let good debate and civility get in the way of SOP on Queerty. I’m waiting for the usual suspects to chime in with “Nunh-unh.” and then purport to know what others are thinking.
@pjm1: Haha. Hadn’t heard that one. Gotta appreciate a good Maj Burns quote. The younger crowd doesn’t know what they’re missing. One of the top 5 shows of all time (wait… is there a Queerty “Top 5” list in there?
Giancarlo85
I’m waiting for the right wingers and libertarian wingbags to show up with an actual argument. I guess I will wait until hell freezes over.
tusgold
The video is awesome and the article should get a gay journalism award. I find this incredible. Sounds like we at least hit our 10% quota based on the number of hits they alluded to, although I’d like to know how many. You need to see what perrcentage of gay guys uses grinder and do some calculating to deteermine if CPAC is as gay or more gay than America.
Why is it always GOP’s in sex scandaals? A chief of staff for a Kansas Congressman was just busted with kiddy porn. He was anti-gay so at his word I guess he was a hhetro pedofile. No, Kansas he wasn’t GAY!!