Gay Republicans

And this surprises people? Republicans don't hate gay people. Seriously, in this day and age? Please!

Weird that gay people have a knee-jerk reaction to dislike Republicans.

That's truly sad.
Most people would be great with a domestic partnership bill. I think it rocks.

Thanks for making this pod.

I think it was interesting what one of them said and that was why should gay people want to be ignored by one and taken for granted by another [party]. I thought that was interesting take on it....divide and conquer in a way.

Interesting pod.

People do tend to think that just because someone is gay that they are automatically a democrat and for the most part that's correct but this points to how that's not necessary true.

This piece has given me a whole other perspective to the subject of gay republicans. I felt it was one huge oxymoron, especially when such a party fights to keep gay rights from corroding our pure and holy-than-thou values.

At the very least, the republicans who happen to be gay in this piece seem to have more of a cause, an agenda, conducting a two-prong attack on both parties. This is a great way to show their might, and an even smarter way to hack away at system hell bent on keeping the status quo. I get it now, which makes this, an excellent piece.

An excellent piece! What's most interesting is not that they are Republican and gay, but their emphasis on the need for Republicans and Democrats to combine forces to get more liberal bills, especially bills that have to do with social policies, through state and national congresses. It's almost impossible to get one party in enough control to get the important stuff through, so cooperation is the name of the day.
Very well done and thought provoking piece!

Well done doc! Good Work Nerina. Thanks for something we seldom get a look into.
My response to the content is that I still don't get it.
The other views of the republicans are far more horrifying - the darwinian economics for example.
Being a lesbian is far less of a problem than being poor in America. Although there is a good shot at being poor because you're a lesbian, as we might have noticed from the recent democratic primary, misogyny is still alive and well.
But my belief in free speech overrides all other considerations.

that would be really hard to be someone who is gay and a republican! I mean, if you agree with republicans on all issues but one issue discriminates against you, how can you choose?

Since when does Politics have a Sex Preference, and if so, do you want to keep it that way?

Extremely well done documentary and great subject matter. Anything that shatters stereotypes and lazy thinking - especially in a pro thinker like myself - is great!

I could possibly vote Republican IF they would drop the violent anti-gay stance that has been part of their message for so long.

Anyway, it's great to see these people as pro-gay and working to achieve that in both parties. Very smart.

Congrats Nerina - awesome and important work to make sure traditionally marginalized groups have real voice in this current Election year. The Republican kids are standing up! Be interesting to see/hear what "The Dems" are doing to help promote gay rights legislatively. Inquiring minds want to know. Maybe next, you can take your camera's inside those walls.

Keep up the great work for Current...we need more stuff like this.

I like this pod
People should know the difference from republicans and social conservatives

it's the S.C. that want to abolish gay rights
republicans want to preserve civil liberties to all americans

Very, Very insightful pod....good job

I still agree with the Democrats on most issues, but I'm really glad to learn more about the gay republicans who I never really understood or appreciated before.

Actually I do feel that the mainstream republicans seek to give economic freedom while limiting social freedoms. It doesn't make sense. It's good that they're doing this and good that they showed us this pod.

Kinda weird. I just don't know how you could be a member of a party, that at the core, wants you(a homosexual) to burn in hell.

interesting...there's the same stigma attached to black republicans.

well done, nerina, nice piece of work. i don't think we should overestimate lobbying for the passing of a domestic partnership - a much weaker regime option than the right to marry - as a symbol of progressive gay activism. I am interested in knowing why on earth these guys are supporting such a problemmatic party. i'd imagine it has lots to do with economics. i's really be intrigued to hear comment from progressive gay and lesbian on these guys. being a gay republican doesn't make you any less of a conservative.

As a straight Democrat, I really find it difficult to understand how a g/l/bi person could abandon the party that has fought so hard for g/l/bi rights and taken so much political damage from it. But I will fight to the death your right to do so.

Puke.

You're welcome.

It seems to be a strategic move also.
They need republican votes so why not become a republican that will cast that vote.
All these labels though are making my head spin.
On a different note, great production value Nerina!
Please do more of these.

Smart!

I support them,
they know the difference between a true Republican and the slick social conservatives that are taking over
I hope and support the Log cabin, they are going back to their roots and bring the Grand ol Party back!

an insightful and interesting report. sexuality shouldn't have to define a person's politics and/or individual identity.

that being said, though, the national face of the republican party effectively forces lgbt people to be defined by their sexuality and nothing else, which is why most lgbt people find "gay republican" to be an oxymoron. it seems to me that as long as the social conservative wing of the party dominates the national civil liberties debate, the "republicans" are bringing a culture war which materially discriminates against LCR individuals and cheapens any political sympathies they show for republican positions.

the work of both the featured individuals/policymakers (or rather, policymaker and policymaker hopeful) centers on the local level, in one of the most liberal states in the country. even as new york state has a republican state senate, there is no question that new york is much more socially liberal, classic "rockefeller" republicans included, than the states where most republicans are registered.

problem: yes, the GOP is in an identity crisis, but the national base of the party remains controlled by social conservatives who are adamantly against lgbt visibility, much less equal rights. are log cabin republican delegates really being made welcome by so many of their peers in st. paul? john mccain isn't exactly clamoring to hold a press conference to accept LCR's endorsement, and even granting him a pass on the hot-button issue of "marriage", he voted *against* lgbt employment non-discrimination and hate crimes legislation. the GOP in congress and in the white house is at best trying to stuff log cabin republicans in a closet of media invisibility, and at worst actively fighting to make them second-class citizens regardless of their support for other issues.

I once thought I was a gay republican, that is until I found the liberterian party. They basically have all the sensible economic ideas of republicans but also feel the government should have an extremely small say in what the people do, thus eliminate the problem of the insane social conservative ideas.

Let's stick the Log Cabin Republicans in a room with John McCain, Mitt Rommel (Romney) and Mike Huckabee, and see how far they go. Get real people, none of those people give a damn about you, no matter how much you fight. They don't want equal rights for you, yet you follow them blindly. On stage last night, Huckabee even insulted Democrats because of having gay marriage and pro-choice supporters. Log Cabin Republicans are the Uncle Tom of the political world. Willing to allow known fundamentalist hate-mongers control your voice, while turning you away at the same time.

“Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities - Voltaire"

The absurdity is that other than money, there is no positive social majority in the GOP for gays and lesbians.

This is so stupid, you all are making the Republican party look like National Socialist party of america. saying all republicans stand for the same ideals.
Well sorry we don't, there are VASE differnt republicans, long as you believe in small government and fiscal responsability and defending the homland YOUR A REPUBLICAN!,
the stance on gay rights and stem cells are the social conservatives, and they are the parasite giving us a bad name