Here’s a newsflash for you: politicians want to win elections.
And with marriage equality continuing to pick up steam across America, it’s becoming increasingly more difficult to win an election with an antigay platform.
Which, let’s face it, has been a specialty of conservative Republicans.
But if there’s one thing outspokenly antigay Republicans hate more than gay marriage, it’s losing their seats in office.
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.
Power trumps bigotry, who know?
Washington Post recently ran a column looking at evidence from American politics that antigay marriage sentiments are on a steep decline.
Here are some encouraging highlights:
Young people are ushering in a stunning change in public opinion on the issue of same sex marriage, and record levels of Americans now support this cause. According to a recent ABC News/Washington Post poll, 58% of Americans now support gay marriage, which marks a remarkable 26 percentage point jump in just nine years. The most sizeable support comes from 18-29 year olds, where 81% now believe gay marriage should be legal, an increase of 24 percentage points from 2004.
It’s worth a read, if only for this incredible statistic: “nearly two-thirds of millennial evangelicals support gay marriage.”
And there does seem to be a noticeable shift in how gay rights are discussed, with those holding on to anti-gay beliefs appearing more and more to be on the fringe.
Though road blocks remain numerous and substantial, it’s satisfying to know that the future is bright for gay rights in America.
Cam
Did I miss something? I didn’t see evidence in this article that Republicans were changing their tune, just that younger Americans are.
hyhybt
As a gay man and a generally decent human being, the faster they change on this, the better. But as a Democrat, I’ll feel more than a little cheated if we don’t get to use this as a wedge as much as they did.
Ottoman
The link is to an article by that right wing mental patient Jennifer Rubin. As Cam mentions its not republicans that are changing, its young people in general. She’s just trying to spin it to make the party she defends at all costs not look as crazy as it is to Washington Post readers.
Did she mention that a US constitutional ban on marriage equality is still part of the Republican platform? I don’t think she did.
Cam
@Ottoman:
Excellent point!
rextrek
they can change thier tune – add more members to the band……wave flags etc – there is NO WAY I’d EVER EVER EVER Vote for them – EVER!
rand503
The Republicans are praying that SCOTUS will mandate marriage equality. That will end that battle so they don’t have to fight it anymore. It would take the issue off the table.
ShowMeGuy
And after giving the GOP your “gay vote” and putting them in office…..the GOP will turn around and fuck The Gays up the ass like it’s a bath house in San Francisco, circa 1978.
Mezaien
White Christian republican, should be exterminated in concentration camps.
Dakotahgeo
@ShowMeGuy: Beware of conservatives bearing gifts, especially if their loincloths are sticking straight out! Once a rethuglican, ALLLLWAYS a repugnican! Jus’ sayin!. I think showmeguy is spot on the mark!
jar
@rand503: Actually, I think if the SC ruled for marriage equality it would cause huge problems for the republicans. Their constituents would demand that they fight to overturn it, just like they continue to do with abortion. Their constituency does not recognize the authority of those “activist judges.” Their crusade is to return godliness [sic] to the nation through government. Marriage equality will be an albatross around the GOP’s fat neck for the foreseeable future.
1EqualityUSA
Republicans would pick Antonin Scalias, Alitos, Thomases, for lifetime appointments on the Supreme Court. Presidents come and go, laws change, but these appointees stay for life and make decisions that help them stay in power, such as Citizens United, and undoing voter protections. No thanks, Republicans.
tjr101
The GOP isn’t changing on gay rights, young people are. The majority of young people don’t vote republican.
DickieJohnson
@Mezaien: OMG, please change that same old very offensive tune. No wonder you’re so anti-christian, you’re a disgusting Nazi! “Begone, before someone drops a house on you!”
coltonblack
I won’t be pulling the lever for a GOP candidate anytime soon. Sorry, I haven’t forgot all of the anti-gay shit the have pulled in the past many years. They are Johnny come lately and only because the positions the hold are unacceptable.