Reluctant Republican
Sr. Member
Posts: 2,040
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« on: February 23, 2012, 06:56:39 PM » |
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Well, I'm a gay republican, though I'm not a very good one, given I'm likely to vote third party for president this time around.
Frankly, the issues that matter most to me(Non interventionist foreign policy, civil liberties) line me up with Paul. I've been a Republican in some form or another since before I even knew I was gay, and I think it would be a bit silly to leave the party and go to one I've never really found myself in agreement with over that.
I admit that the condescension bugs me. "How can you be a Republican and gay? That's like being black and supporting of the KKK" is what some gay guy told me once. I just think it's highly condescending to lecture someone on what their interests are. Heck, maybe the gay in question is extremely religious, and the only issue that matters to them is ending abortion. I think that's a pretty dumb issue to vote on, but I don't think it makes them" less gay", or somehow a traitor to the cause. Besides, why don't LGBT's all vote for the Greens or one of the socialist parties then, since they've consistently called for equal rights while many Democrats remain hesitant? I imagine the answer would be along the lines of pointing out that the Greens can't win, and that the election is really a choice between the Democrats and Republicans, both of which would enact vastly different policies towards the gay community. I can respect that, but I hope my decision to be a Republican can be respected as well.
That being said, I have the privilege of being assumed as straight, and while I don't hide my sexuality, it's something that rarely comes up. I think it might be fair to say that I'm removed from the experiences of many gays, and am less affected by issues of say, gay bullying or harassment. Were these issues more present in my life, I imagine my views might be different.
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