News to make LGBT progressives nash their teeth. As Washington Post columnist David Weigel reports, Grover Norquist, the president of Americans for Tax Reform and a long-time leader among fiscal conservatives, has joined the advisory council of GOProud, the gay Republican group that's positioning itself as more steadfastly conservative than the Log Cabin Republicans. Norquist calls GOProud "an important part of the conservative movement."
Writes Weigel, "Here you've got the fledgling gay group winning another seat at the table, and a leader of the conservative movement pulling the chair out for them."
Also this week in the Post, a recap on how Ted Olson, another stalwart of the right, is pressing the case for gay marriage.
"The right" is not monolithic. Inroads can, and must, be made beyond the party of the left if the goal is to achieve legal equality for gay Americans.
Semi-relevant. This New York Times feature on a recent David Frum garden party gathering of "members of the conservative intellectual elite" to honor the Somalian-born activist Ayaan Hirsi Ali (she faces an ongoing fatwa/death threat for campaigning against Islamist intolerance toward women, gays, non-Islamists) reeks of liberal condescension. But it does mention that:
Also milling about the white-painted porch and leafy garden were the "independent" gay journalists Jonathan Rauch and James Kirchick.
37 Comments for “More Inroads”
posted by Tom on
Norquist has argued for years that the Republican Party should get off the “faggot, faggot” schtick.
He’s worked with the LCR, he’s worked with HRC, he’s tried to convince Republicans in Ohio that the anti-marriage movement wasn’t a vote-getter for Republicans, and its no surprise — at least not to me, Stephen — that he’s agreed to serve on the board of GOProud.
The problem is that Norquist is something of a prophet in the wilderness, and has failed, so far, to convince the rest of the Republican party that “faggot, faggot” is a loser of an issue.
I hope he succeeds. I’m afraid he’s got his work cut out for him, though.
posted by Casey on
Um, guys – much as it’s always nice to see conservatives make pro-gay gestures, I attended a Log Cabin event featuring a very friendly Grover Norquist 5 years ago. This is old news, no matter how GOProud tries to spin it. If this is the best they can do, we shouldn’t be impressed.
posted by BobN on
Considering Tom and Casey’s comments, it appears that Norquist has moved from supporting LCRs to supporting GOProud. So he’s gone from a GOP gay group which promotes gay candidates like Tom Campbell who would advance gay rights to a GOP group which actively fights candidates like Tom Campbell and which, if I’m correct, hasn’t backed a single pro-gay candidate for any office anywhere.
That gnashing sound you hear isn’t liberal gay teeth, it’s the sound logic makes when it’s being tortured…
posted by North Dallas Thirty on
Probably because those other people see what sort of statements gays and lesbians are making about him elsewhere.
In short, they realize that the gay and lesbian community is inherently and completely bigoted against Republicans, and that, with examples like HRC and gay leaders openly supporting FMA supporters, it’s also completely hypocritical.
And of course, the gay and lesbian community is demonstrating its typical and usual true colors.
My favorite:
So let’s see. The gay and lesbian community is openly endorsing and supporting stoning people who dare to disagree with them politically to death, and the Republicans are supposed to be pleasant to that?
posted by North Dallas Thirty on
You’re not, but that’s hardly unusual. After all, it doesn’t make for good press to admit that the gay-sex liberal left’s puppet organization actively campaigned AGAINST a gay candidate.
Nor is it in the least unusual for Grover Norquist to disassociate from a group that, aside from having spent more money to run attack ads AGAINST Republicans than for them, is also owned, funded, and controlled by the Obama Party.
posted by Jimmy on
“That gnashing sound you hear isn’t liberal gay teeth, it’s the sound logic makes when it’s being tortured…”
That is my Twitter update for the day!
posted by BobN on
Well, count me among the stunned. ND’s legendary filing system seems to have failed him utterly.
The first link doesn’t mention GOProud at all. Odd, since that’s the org I was talking about.
And the second one is priceless. In one of the endless threads chastising liberal gay people for not supporting GOP gay organizations and GOP candidates, ND provides a hint has to how that works out in real life. The GOP is savaging LCR for being “under Democratic control” because someone took Stephen Miller’s (stupid) advice and gave them money.
Personally, I love to watch the GOP eat their own, but I’m dismayed that we appear to have reached the limit of ND’s ability to distract, effectively at least.
posted by Brian Miller on
So open question here:
What has GOProud done to advance the civil rights of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Americans?
It’s lovely that Norquist has joined a gay group. But so far, all GOProud has been known for is expenditures attacking the only pro-gay Republican in the recent Republican primary in the California Senate race.
On their web site, they have no policy prescriptions or stances on the issues. Their blog is an effort to pinkwash anti-gay candidates like Djou and Fiorina as “not so anti-gay” compared to anti-gay Democrats.
So where’s the beef?
GOProud is being a patsy for their party, just like their Democratic counterparts. But I don’t see them applying any pressure to their party on gay rights — that role continues to be occupied by Log Cabin (whose unwillingness to bend to the GOP’s extreme-right fringe on the issues is what led to GOProud being formed in the first place).
When GOProud is leading concrete efforts to make the GOP a non-homophobic institution, I’ll be far more excited. For now, a Republican joining an apologist group for his own party isn’t something to get wildly excited about — or even note beyond an asterisk or a quick Tweet.
posted by North Dallas Thirty on
Wrong.
Don’t worry, Brian Miller. No one expects you to add intelligent commentary; you’ve demonstrated convincingly that, in your mind, being “out” substitutes for any form of actual research or review of the facts in a situation.
posted by another steve on
So GoProud is being condmened for not consulting the progressives’ latest “blacklist” before planning its event?
posted by Debrah on
“Don’t worry, Brian Miller. No one expects you to add intelligent commentary; you’ve demonstrated convincingly that, in your mind, being ‘out’ substitutes for any form of actual research or review of the facts in a situation.”
**********************************
ROTFLM-tits-O !!!
posted by North Dallas Thirty on
Not that you bothered to actually look or do any research, of course.
No, it’s because the Obama Party-owned-and-operated Gill Foundation was funding, controlling, and directing the actions of LCR, using them as a means of making false-flag attacks on Republicans.
Which you would have known had you actually read the links, instead of using the Brian Miller method of thinking that your being “out” would substitute for actually reviewing and considering the facts.
posted by BobN on
But I did look. You changed the link provided. A slip-up on your part, no doubt. And, please, don’t imagine I’m going to go off and “do research” when you tell me to. That’s your job.
I do read your links, ND, except of course for the pedophile ones.
By the way, speaking of reading, you did note, I hope that the GOProud-backed candidate who lost disagreed with every one of their gay-related legislative goals.
posted by North Dallas Thirty on
Do be more specific on that one, please.
Here’s Berry’s positions, and here’s GOProud’s.
Oh, no worries; I never expect Obama Party gays to check on things like facts. That’s too hard for them, and besides, their party discourages gays and lesbians from thinking or acting for themselves.
posted by Lori Heine on
Maybe some gay conservatives (or libertarians, like myself) are simply tired of being taken for granted as automatic lickspittles for the Left.
I no longer allow the Great Minds of the Left to tell me what “my” issues ought to be. For the most part, they are exactly the same as everyone else’s issues.
Recently at dinner, two of my “progressive” friends began tearing Ann Coulter apart. They called her “Man Coulter” and said she was a great, big lesbian. Which is still a bad thing, whenever they say it is.
I said that as far as I knew, Ann Coulter was straight. I also asked them why there would have been anything wrong with it if she hadn’t been.
One of them got so flustered, she had to excuse herself for the ladies’ room to cry. How insensitive of me! The other one lectured me on how the members of “that party” didn’t support us.
I said it certainly didn’t seem that she supported us, either. To her great credit, she didn’t bolt for the crapper — but she hasn’t mentioned “Man” Coulter since.
posted by Jorge on
I haven’t paid very close attention to GOProud at all. I have paid attention to LCR, but that’s another story. I find it interesting that GOProud is rising as a more conservative alternative to LCR, often at LCR’s expense, at a time of political realignment within the Republican party. One which, in my view, is not to the benefit of the gay rights laundry list of causes.
Is this a coincidence? Are gay conservatives being swept up by the same forces behind either the mobilization of social conservatives in 2006 and 2008 or the Tea Party Movement? Maybe it’s more like a side effect?
It’s no surprise that LCR is losing a lot of power. But why is it an organization to the right of them that gains?
posted by Pat on
So GoProud is being condmened for not consulting the progressives’ latest “blacklist” before planning its event?
No, I think GOProud is being criticized for not consulting its own list. However, I understand that they will endorse candidates that don’t support all of its causes, because they believe the candidate is better than the alternatives. Gay Democrats sometimes do this when they support a candidate with some anti-gay positions, but the alternatives are worse.
posted by Brian Miller on
why is it an organization to the right of them that gains
Because the GOP itself is moving into the fever swamps of the extreme fringe right on most issues.
One need only look at National Review’s insistence that Carly Fiorina was the “moderate on social issues” in the recent GOP primary for California Senate to see that.
Her position on abortion is a blanket ban, no exceptions. So if your daughter is raped while in college, she must drop out of college and carry the rapist’s baby to term. If your wife will die, along with the fetus, she must still die.
That was the “moderate” position to the GOP.
A quick look at the racist attitudes also gaining ground in that party is sobering. Mixing traditional GOP control freakery with its lunge to the extreme right and love for state power creates a very nasty concoction for those who believe in individual liberties.
The role of GOProud is not to maximize the individual liberties of gay and lesbian Americans, but rather to serve as the patsy for GOP statists intent on using the power of the state to compel others to do and be what the statist deems is “appropriate.” In the GOP’s case, it’s the fringe right.
posted by Brian Miller on
No one expects you to add intelligent commentary
LOL, ND30 you silly troll.
That laundry list lacks a single actual gay issue in it. A “legislative agenda on gay rights” that has no gay issues? You’ve proven my point once again. GOProud has no agenda on their web site for gay issues.
posted by Clay on
It’s interesting and revealing that on a supposedly “independent” gay forum, you bash the LCR for being too independent and laud GOProud for doing exactly what you slam the gay Left for doing, becoming a party subsidiary like the useless Human Rights Campaign. Meanwhile homophobic media parasite Ann Coulter is defended on this forum, while bipartisan Gill Action (yes it takes on Democrat bigots too) and the free market entrepreneur who founded it are attacked.
Please. Take the “Independent” out of your label. This Forum deserves it less and less all the time.
posted by North Dallas Thirty on
Her position on abortion is a blanket ban, no exceptions. So if your daughter is raped while in college, she must drop out of college and carry the rapist’s baby to term. If your wife will die, along with the fetus, she must still die.
It’s really funny to watch Obama shill Brian Miller repeat talking points from his Obama Party that are so easily debunked.
Furthermore, it is amusing to watch liberals like Brian Miller scream about the evils of rape, given that they don’t believe that drugging and having sex with a thirteen-year-old actually constitutes rape or should be punished. But then again, it makes sense when you consider that Barack Obama, the Obama Party, and their pet gays like Tom in Wisconsin are all about Federally funding abortion clinics that will neatly get rid of the evidence of their sex with underage children and not call the police.
posted by North Dallas Thirty on
That is an interesting analysis, considering these three items.
Next:
Correction.
Gill “Action” is completely owned, operated, and controlled by the Obama Party. Their use of LCR is little more than a false-flag operation. This is typical for Gill, who routinely founds and funds fake groups like “Coloradans for Life” to push his leftist initiatives and attack Republicans.
posted by Lori Heine on
“Meanwhile homophobic media parasite Ann Coulter is defended on this forum…”
I didn’t know they let five-year-olds post here.
If you think it’s “defending” Ann Coulter to inquire — of self-proclaimed “progressives” — why it’s a terrible and shameful thing for her to supposedly be a lesbian, then you are pretty hapless.
Either that, or — like many Leftist toadies — you have completely surrendered your willingness to think for yourself.
posted by Bobby on
Ann Coulter is not a lesbian, unlike KKKagan, she has dated men. Of course, Ann Coulter is rich, powerful and independent, it takes real courage to marry a woman that makes more money than you and is likely to be more prominent than you.
If I was straight I would love to marry Coulter, she is absolutely fascinating and her books are beyond brilliant. You don’t get to be #1 again and again by writing crap.
posted by Throbert McGee on
Gosh, is it possible that the NR wrote that before the GOP Primary, when Chuck DeVore was still a potential candidate? On the specific issue of abortion, Fiorina clearly occupied a middle position between DeVore and Campbell, as evidenced by the fact that “pro-life extremists” in California regarded her more favorably than the “pro-choice” Campbell, but saw her as less trustworthy than the “pro-life” DeVore, because although Fiorina claimed to be pro-life, she was deemed more likely to “compromise” her stated pro-life position, and unlike DeVore, she had no legislative track record she could point to.
posted by Throbert McGee on
Free hint, Clay: “GOProud” clearly states its partisan affiliation IN THE GROUP’S NAME.
“Human Rights Campaign” does not.
But if HRC were to change its name to “ProuDems” or “Donk-O-Queers” or whatever, perhaps they’d get less criticism here.
posted by Lori Heine on
Of course Ann Coulter is not gay. The point I was trying to make is that, for many “progressives,” it should still be seen as a slander against her to say that she is — a way to tar her reputation.
Leftists want being gay to still be a slur whenever THEY decide it’s a slur. It should still be something they can use as a liability whenever it is convenient for them.
And such people still claim they are our “friends” and that they want to help us. Amazing. How can those who continue to display a deep investment in our oppression ever credibly claim they want to help set us free?
posted by BobN on
You don’t get to be #1 again and again by writing crap.
Sure you do if there are enough moneyed groups out there willing to buy your ouvre in sufficient bulk to push it up the charts and distribute it to new sheep at no charge.
(Note, I’m not saying that’s how Ms. Coulter gets to the charts, I’m just noting the mechanism by which a few other notable “intellects” of the right have gotten there. And before you go accusing me of bleeting leftwing talking points, here’s a link to Palin conservatives complaining about Romney conservatives doing it: http://www.conservatives4palin.com/2010/03/ny-times-bookstores-reported-receiving.html)
posted by Jimmy on
“You don’t get to be #1 again and again by writing crap.”
Ever heard of Barbara Cartland?
posted by Brian Miller on
Defending GOProud by criticizing HRC is like defending Stalin by criticizing Mao.
However, there *is* proof the GOP is changing. Here’s one uplifting story from Duke University and the acceptance that younger people are finding in the Republican Party of today:
http://tinyurl.com/2da4u3m
posted by Throbert McGee on
LOL, Jimmy!
But the middle-aged Turkish woman who lived upstairs from us in Ankara was unapologetic about having a whole shelf full of Barbara Cartland novels, and she argued, “Well, back in the days when I considered it a real chore to read an entire book in English, Barbara Cartland kept me motivated!”
(I’ve never read Cartland, but I gather that her stuff would’ve been somewhat titillating by conservative Turkish standards, yet extremely tame compared with the bodice-ripper genres in the US and UK generally.)
posted by Bobby on
“Sure you do if there are enough moneyed groups out there willing to buy your ouvre in sufficient bulk to push it up the charts and distribute it to new sheep at no charge.”
—That may be true the first time your book becomes #1, but if you keep writing more books that reach the NYT’s top 10 best seller list then you’re obviously doing something great.
Either way, I don’t think you realize how hard it’s for any writer to publish anything, the intense competition, the bitchy editors and publishing houses that don’t want to take changes with your work. I heard that Ayn Rand’s Atlas Shrugged was rejected by 10 different publishers.
Ann Coulter herself has had conservative media like The National Review and The Wall Street Journal reject some of her columns even after having several best sellers.
posted by North Dallas Thirty on
And as is typical, Brian Miller failed to do his research.
How typical. An out gay person behaves like an ass, is called out as one, and screams “homophobia”.
Sort of like what happened with Brian Miller and the Libertarian Party, who finally got tired of his being an ass and realized that his demands for special treatment based on his sexual orientation were completely incompatible with what Libertarians believe.
posted by North Dallas Thirty on
Oh, and Brian Miller? Before you run away again, perhaps you need a reminder of what you stated above.
And how wildly inaccurate it is.
When you see how “out” gays like Brian Miller behave, it becomes easy to figure out why they’re the ones who are most desperate for ENDA and other laws that guarantee employment based on sexual orientation.
posted by Brian Miller on
That Duke’s student committee whitewashed the whole affair doesn’t change the facts on the ground, the testimony of the people there, and the homophobic graffiti — as well as the fact that the College Republicans repeatedly stated that openly gay people weren’t welcome.
As for Carly’s position on abortion, her own web site stated two months ago that she opposed it in all situations. She’s made contradictory statements since winning a perfect score from the country’s top anti-abortion groups, who only award a perfect score for blanket opposition to abortion in all cases.
About the only thing you’ve “proven” is that Republicans like to change their story and commitments on a regular basis. This is nothing new — just ask candidate Bush in 2000 who “opposed nation-building and foreign intervention.” 🙂
posted by Brian Miller on
When you see how “out” gays like Brian Miller behave, it becomes easy to figure out why they’re the ones who are most desperate for ENDA
I’m afraid you’ll have a very difficult time finding me endorsing ENDA, since I’ve never done so.
I’ve been successful in my career because my employers value the work that I do, and because I deliberately choose employers for whom my performance is paramount and my sexual orientation, irrelevant to my job.
That’s what’s so funny about closet cases. They’re typically not very good at much. Mediocre performers at their jobs, terrible at honesty in general, and laughably ignorant to the fact that anybody with a double-digit IQ has them figured out anyway (unless they’re the truly sociopathic ones who masquerade as straight, complete with “beards” who they manipulate into thinking they’re in a real relationship — all for personal gain).
In 2010, nobody who is a hard worker need worry about ENDA at all.
posted by North Dallas Thirty on
Perhaps you ought to read the information you were provided.
Next:
Nope.
And finally:
Of course you have. It was on your website two months ago. If it’s not there, it only proves that “out” gay and lesbian people like to change their stories and their commitments on a regular basis.