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.
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 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.
[UPDATE DECEMBER 5, 2008]:
Well, I wrote the article above on November 8 or 2003. And here we
are 5 years later, in the midst of a economic disaster and the
current President seemingly not engaging and leaving it all up to
Obama. What a mess. So, go ahead, I'll take my comeuppance now!
In the election of 2008, I not only voted a straight Democratic
ticket, I voted for a Libertarian if a Democrat was not on the
ballot in local elections.
I'm still not convinced that the Democrats will do any better.
There seems to be a bunch of smoke in mirrors Washington, that 68.3
square miles of illusion in the midst of reality.
