YOU'RE
A GAY REPUBLICAN? YOU FREAK OF NATURE!
... The lonely
world of a bisexual Republican
Ok, so let's
get the something clear right away ... I'm not gay, but my boyfriend is.
Many people,
especially my gay friends, think I'm a freak of nature for supporting a political party
that condemns the gay lifestyle. Of course, this leads me to discuss this subject
with them at length ... which inevitably turns out to be an intriguing conversation
indeed.
One thing
becomes unequivocally clear to me in these conversations. It seems these
conversations *need* to revolve around the subject of the acceptance of gay people within
the political party in question for them to remain conversationally intact. I say
the conversations need to revolve around this subject because it is clear to me that it is
the *only* subject that is on the minds of many gay people, or at least the only political
subject of which many are able to discuss in depth.
Now let me say
that I certainly understand why the subject of gay/lesbian/bisexual/transgendered (GLBT)
acceptance is important ... hell, it's important to me. Living with the freedoms,
rights and protections offered everyone else is a goal of us all. And yes, I'll
admit that when confronted with the overall facts of how the Republican Party oppresses
GLBT people, I have little argument to the contrary. Although, it was the feel-good
Clinton that signed the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) even though he told GLBT's that he
supported their cause. Bullshit. That was just more bullshit from the master
of deception. But, that's another article for another time. So, why is it that
I am a Republican? Simple.
Being bisexual
is not *everything* that I am.
My sexuality
does not dictate my lifestyle and, thus, does not dictate my voting. There is a
plethora of other political subjects that are important to me ... such as economic
factors, national security and the freedom from government's ever revolving grip on the
"less fortunate" to name a few. That being said, I certainly do consider a
candidates position on GLBT matters before I step into the voting booth.
I'm sure that
my gay friends would tell me that other political subjects are important to them as well. But, when I broach the subject with them, they look at me like I have two
heads. They are seemingly unable to have an in depth conversation surrounding
anything other than the gay political agenda. And, they look at me wondering why I
would bring up other subjects than the GLBT issues. As a matter of fact, I've been
accused of trying to change the subject to win my argument. Nothing could be further
from the truth. The fact is that I see the argument larger than one subject (GLBT
issues). I see the world a tad more complex.
If my gay
friends do attempt to discuss the economy or national security, all they seem to spew out
are sound bites heard on the six o'clock news. If I do so decide to engage them
further in these subjects, they inevitably fold when pressed to support the sound bites
with salient facts and/or are presented with conflicting information.
Of course, one
needs to personally weigh the value of all political interests and vote accordingly. Indeed, I've often challenged myself with the thought that perhaps I do not value the
subject of gay rights enough. Perhaps. Perhaps not. I choose to fight for
the rights of equality through internal inclusion into the party itself. I believe
that change truly does come from within. As well, change does come from being
impacted from the outside. That is why my partner and I heavily and proudly support
Lambda Legal, the organization who won the recent notable Supreme Court victory in the
Texas Sodomy case. That was a great day for gay Americans ... but, now I digress.
Beyond gay
friends who question my political affiliation, I should also mention that my straight
friends have questioned the same. However, I have noticed that they look upon the
situation a little differently than my gay friends. Once my position is explained,
most straight friends are able to identify with my positions and are able to grasp the
understanding of why I affiliate myself with the Republican Party.
Most of my gay
friends simply can not identify with my positions. Strange really. At times, I
think it's because they are unable to think for themselves ... just taking in and
digesting the sound bites from left-winged fanatical groups as the gay-gospel. I
also think they have have lived the gay political agenda for so long that they are unable
to broaden their horizons. For doing so would mean a fundamental change in their
perspectives and pit them against the gay mass of lemmings. After all, who wishes to
be oppressed by their own people after years of being oppressed by others?
Obviously, I
have taken the position of risking my acceptance within the gay society. But, people
who know me understand that I do not cower from frank discourse. Yes, the ride has
been an intriguing one indeed ... one that has help shape my ability to look at subjects
independently from the masses and reach my own conclusions.
Politics is a
strange beast ... and one subject that many are uncomfortable chatting about in friendly
circles. Unfortunate, that.
I firmly
believe that if more people chose to enhance their knowledge of the full political
landscape, there wouldn't be the opportunity for many of the congressmen to survive the
next round of voting. But, as long as people who live on sound bites continue to
vote, the longer those same congressmen will continue to oppress us all.
Possess a
desire to express your thoughts about this article? If so,
contact me.
MORE ARTICLES
BY THIS AUTHOR LAST UPDATED:
November 8, 2003
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