Carolyn Lochhead, an IGF contributing author, has penned a thoughtful piece for the San Francisco Chronicle on the betrayal felt by gay Republicans over President Bush's support of the marriage amendment. She pays particular attention to the Austin 12, a group of gay Republicans who met with then-Gov. Bush in 2000 during his campaign. Below are quotes from four of them, pulled from the article:
David Catania, a District of Columbia Councilmember: "My heart has left the party, my head has left the party. The party as it is now is not one I can support."
Rebecca Maestri, former aide to Sen. Al D'Amato: "I believe in the principles of the Republican Party, and I won't be railroaded out of the party just because of my sexual orientation."
David Daniel Stewart, mayor of Plattsburgh, N.Y.: "I can't support George Bush anymore. I have just had it. He hit my soul, he hit my heart. I'm not going to stand there and violate my own conscience to help get someone elected."
Brian Bennett, who came out while chief of staff to anti-gay former Rep. Bob Dornan: "Why should we abandon Rudy Giuliani, George Pataki, Arnold Schwarzenegger and other leaders who are in the party taking heat for standing up for gays and lesbians? They have the courage to stand up for me in my party. What good would I be for them, who are in some ways jeopardizing their political futures by standing up for me, if I cut and run?"
At least one of the 12 is on record saying he'll still vote for
Bush (former AIDS czar Scott Evertz). Others, including Stewart,
said they can't support either candidate. But Catania has switched
his party affiliation to "independent" and endorsed
Kerry/Edwards.
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