The sponsorship of next month’s conservative pow-wow CPAC by right-y gay group GOProud — where the organization won’t even be allowed to speak, for it supports gay marriage — is as much about wondering why self-appointed gay leaders are aligning themselves with the delusional crowd that includes the Liberty Counsel and the John Birch Society as it is about the gay in-fighting between gay conservatives and gay liberals. And GOProud’s chairman Christopher Barron is sick of all your bitching.
In an eloquent op-ed explaining why GOProud is not abandoning its CPAC sponsorship (despite calls from gays and vehement right-wing heterosexuals to do so), Barron, predictably, launches into the liberals:
In a case of truly strange bedfellows, the gay left has joined the most radical elements of the social conservative movement in attacking GOProud’s participation. You can understand the fear of extremists on the far right: They know the impact GOProud’s sponsorship will have on undercutting their anti-gay message. These people rely on manipulating fear of what is unknown or different. But why is the gay left so angry about it?
The answer is simple. They are far more interested in politics then they are in achieving equality of opportunity for gays and lesbians and their families.
For much of the gay left the world is divided into two easily definable camps: Democrats, who by definition are infallible and should be defended at all costs; and Republicans, who regardless of their positions on LGBT issues are the enemy.
The leadership on the gay left has repeatedly made excuses for inaction by the Obama administration and the Democratic House and Senate on the gay and lesbian issues they claim are critical to our community. While they make excuses for the failures of Democrats, they ignore — or in some cases actively oppose — policies promoted by Republicans that would improve the lives of gays and lesbians.
We’re not about to launch into the age-old debate about whether liberals have done more for LGBT equality than conservatives, but: They have. Except Barron’s point about leadership among liberals wholly dropping the ball on our rights? We wouldn’t disagree. But in the game of Choose Your Battles, trying to convince members of a political party that actively endorsed a constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage (as one example) in order to drive voter turn out to back gay rights is just a slightly greater challenge than, say, doing so with a group that supposedly prides itself on civil rights. Oh, wait, Democrats supported the Defense of Marriage Act too?
Dammit, Barron’s got us! Well, enjoy the shrimp cocktail.
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L.Single
We can either have Democratic majorities in Congress and complain about not getting bills passed or we can have Republican majorities and complain about having to spend time and effort to kill bad bills. Which would you prefer?
Attmay
I would prefer we take our rights by force of arms, personally, but the rest of you are still drinking that “turn the other cheek” kool-aid.
Mike in Asheville, nee "in Brooklyn"
There is a big fucking difference between dealing with limp-dicked Democratic leaders who fail to live up to their promises of “Yes We Can” and “Hope” who said they would repeal DOMA and DADT AND dealing with the homophobic bigoted Republicans who came up with DOMA, DADT, state and federal Constitutional amendments prohibiting marriage-equality, no EDNA and no hate crimes bills.
GOPride (now that’s a prize winning oxymoron) joins with the homophobic bigots to host a conference with the agenda to continue and expand repression of civil rights for LGBT. Thats like asking NCAAP to co-host a KKK convention or B’nai B’rith to co-host a Nazi convention.
Where’s the “Pride” in having one’s face rubbed in shit?
Fitz
They are both my enemies, and I don’t care about the survival and success of either.
Flex
The GOP is controlled by a bunch of violent religious authoritarians. They will never concede power to these naive imbeciles who throw themselves as a welcome mat for their hateful oppressors.
What do they have to gain?
Same Crap
The GOProud remind me of the Log Cabiners in those states where gay marriage is being debated in the legislatures. When the vote inevitably fails, the LCs blame the 5-6 Democratic lawmakers who voted with the ENTIRE Republican caucus to defeat the gay marriage vote. Of course, nary a peep against the their Republican masters.
Same Crap
“….policies promoted by Republicans that would improve the lives of gays and lesbians.”
Like what? Lower taxes on the top 1% and perpetual wars of choice?
J. Clarence
Look, there is nothing paradoxical in being a gay person and being a conservative. There is nothing wrong in liking small government and less taxes and liking to do dudes (or be done by other dudes). One is about person political philosophy and the other sexual orientation. So in that respect GOProud by all means should be representing gay conservatives at this conference.
The problem you run into is when you kid yourself into thinking that the current incarnation of the Republican Party will ever be an advocate for gay rights, because they won’t. It’s not a matter of Do-Nothing Conservatives and Liberals. You might have do-nothing liberals, but they are exponentially better than do-worse conservatives.
Marianne Seggerman
We in Connecticut have a legacy of couregous Republicans – and lily livered Democrats, like Dodd, De Lauro and John whats-his-face from the Hartford area. Unfortunately, you can add Richard Blumenthal to that list.
Tom in Lazybrook
Its a shame that GOProud! is really a collection of people that appear to never stand up for any Gay civil rights legislation. I’m mad at the Dems too, but GOProud simply isn’t credible.
tjr101
AHHH…the answer to this is so obvious. At least “do nothing liberals” don’t actively try to write legislation to dehumanize a portion of the American population. The “do nothing liberals” will more likely vote for the rights of LGBT Americans and will not use us as RED MEAT for some rabid section of the population.
I’m confused Mr.Barron… what polices by Republicans improves the lives of gays and lesbians? More ridiculous tax cuts for the rich? Appointing right-wing extremists to the supreme court? More attempts to further undercut a woman’s right to choose? Another Terri Schiavo fiasco???
Not a single Republican member of congress has stated they are in favor a repeal of DADT…NONE.
Mr. Barron and GOProud need to elaborate!