Taking The Truth to Texas
by Brian | June 20th, 2008 |Casey will be absent for at least the summer as she is busy working for the Log Cabin Republicans in Washington, DC and I received my first of I’m sure many updates from her. LCR hosted a reception during the Texas Republican Convention to break bread (or pizza) with the delegates and discuss important issues of LGBT equality. Speaking truth in places where it is not usually present and sometimes even unwelcome is an important part of the path to full equality, from the Equality Ride, to Right to Marry conversations in upstate to New York, to the Texas Republican Convention. Talk about courage. A participant shares his experiences after the jump.
- I spoke with a young Southern Baptist woman about the Old Testament and the message of the Gospels. I also explained to her how Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell is harming our national security.
- I listened to a long-time Republican Party activist tell me about his brother who died in the early days of the AIDS epidemic. He came to our reception as a way of showing support for our efforts.
- I had a thoughtful discussion with a Texas GOP operative who wondered why we’re pushing for marriage equality when he believes most Republicans will settle for civil unions.
- I met some gay delegates who wanted to find out more about Log Cabin.
- I spoke with a young man who’s a member of the Church of Christ and a staunch social conservative. We talked about whether people are born gay and what the Bible really says about sexual orientation. We discussed whether two men or two women should be allowed to adopt a child.
- I shared my personal story with a nice middle age woman—telling her about my struggle to accept myself—to accept the fact that the “good son” in a large conservative Catholic Republican family could be gay. I told her about the love my parents have shown for me. I joked with her, “They have come to accept the fact that I’m gay. They never could’ve accepted me if I had become Democrat.” With a pleasant smile, she told me she complained to the human resources department when her employer started offering domestic partner benefits for gay employees. She and her friend each left with a copy of LEF’s new white paper about the origins of sexual orientation—promising to read it. I know they will. They also left with my business card. I told them I’m willing to continue the conversation.
To follow the exciting work that the Log Cabin Republicans are involved in, you can visit their website, read their blog, and support their upcoming actions at the Republican National Convention by donating.
5 Responses to “Taking The Truth to Texas”
Would those be the same “Log Cabin Republicans” who claim that John McCain’s “mixed” record on gay rights shows “enormous political courage”?
By KipEsquire on Jun 20, 2008
So with 1,100 slices of LCR pizza in their bellies, the delegates went back and reaffirmed their toxic position on homosexuality, including the following gem:
Texas Sodomy Statutes - We oppose the legalization of sodomy. We demand that Congress exercise its authority granted by the U.S. Constitution to withhold jurisdiction from the federal courts from cases involving sodomy.
By tristram on Jun 22, 2008
re: the TX party platform. Yeah, we know. We’re working on it - can you say the same? Snarky comments on a blog don’t do anything, but conversations with the people who disagree with us might, with time. That’s what activism is. (Note: I’m off the clock, and only speaking for myself here, not LCR in any capacity other than as a member)
By Casey on Jun 23, 2008
The disclaimer was priceless, Casey. lol
I agree though. If the GOPers continue to never see gay people, they’ll continue to think we’re nothing but restroom trolling perverts. When they see folks like Casey and the buttoned-down executive director of LCR, they start to get different impressions.
Either that, or the GOP is continuing to play their hate game, just because they know it works when it comes down to vote-getting.
By Matt on Jun 23, 2008
I’m a recovering Republican activist, an ex-GOP. Went the whole route back in the day - TAR, YAF, YR. Leaving that behind was a big part of what enabled me to come out (far too late in life - Matt, I’m in awe of you !) So, while I still have some rather conservative political positions, when I think about the GOP (especially the Texas version), the snark takes over.
But, Casey, you’ll be cheered by my assessment that, whatever the polls may say right now, the odds favor McCain in November. In all likelihood, the next President is going to establish the direction of the federal judiciary, and in particular the Supreme Court, for the next three decades. McCain has promised his proxy on judicial nominations to the extreme right. I would like to think that Senate could block the next Scalia or Thomas, but there is no guaranty. Even one McCain appointment, say another Roberts or Alito, and we can look for the loosening of Constitutional restrictions on the executive branch and re-intrusion of government into the private lives of most Americans - including the possibility that ‘Lawrence v. Texas’ will be reversed or severely limited.
I went to a speech by Justice Scalia a couple of years ago where he made it a point to say that the only way to save the nation from gay marriage was to reverse Lawrence, and I’m more comfortable that Obama can protect us from Osama than I am that McCain won’t grant Scalia his wish.
By tristram on Jun 24, 2008