Re: Can I Remain A Republican If I'm Gay?

On 5/18/2011 12:25 AM, Patrick Schwab wrote:
I just recently decided to quit pretending I was something I wasn't
and announced to my family and friends that I was gay.

Also, I've been a registered Republican and have voted the party
ticket in each election all of my adult years (I'm 37 now). Knowing
how many conservatives feel about homosexuals, my concern is how I am
to remain a member of the GOP now that I've "come out."

One might think that my allegiance to the Party these past 16 years
would count for something and that I wouldn't be shunned but it's
rather difficult to tell given some of the gay-bashing rhetoric I've
heard from members of my own political party.

Ciould be stormy times ahead for me.

-Pat
Patrick,

I think you have not been paying attention to those to whom you should really be listening. Stop listening to people that are talking about conservatives and listen to them instead.

The conservatives I know all are on the same page.
Your lifestyle and personal preferences are completely up to you - as long as you don't try to force others to make special accommodations for you and your choices.

One of the business groups of which I was a very active member for many years had a number GLTB members. One even runs a specialty shop for that community. He is much harder on the liberal programs than most.

(Actually, this is kind of funny, he was so Pro-0 when the primaries were hopping, but then I passed him some of the campaign literature and tapes of speeches that I had stored from 2004 in Chicago. He called me one night, madder than a wet cat, shouting something like this - [racial reference] is a [sexual activity] Marxist!!! I thought he would be on our side - with our people that worked for what they have!! <Paraphrased> Sorry, I didn't mention before this that he is a son of freedom rider, the grandson of a sharecropper and the grgrandson of a former slave.)

In one of the RV groups that I associate with, there are two coaches that regularly attend functions, each with a pair - not a couple. No Body cares.

The only time I personally have a hard time with this is square dancing. If you know anything about square dance, you know why. Women being men isn't a problem for me, because I still end up turning a girl. As long as I don't end up turning a guy, I don't get too confused. The other way is bound to cause a problem, not because I care, but because when the corner is a guy it looks like a mistake. There is one local club that calls for same-sex squares. I'm not good enough to survive that.

Old and gray and still dancing.
.

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