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Subscribe to RSSGay Republican groups like GOProud were not invited to the Conservative Political Action Convention this year, but that didn’t stop them from making an impact at the annual confab.
Speaking in a tiny but packed conference room just down the hall from the main CPAC stage, GOProud Executive Director Jimmy LaSalvia urged activists to help the group broaden its reach within the Republican Party.
“How can we build a new, modern coalition that can win? Well, we bring together conservatives and libertarians and social conservatives and everyone who shares our vision of a government that puts freedom first,” he said. “Millions of Americans, including gay Americans, will join us if we ask them and welcome them.”
The other speakers at the panel discussion, sponsored by the Competitive Enterprise Institute, which hosted GOProud as their guest at CPAC, said GOProud and similar groups have demographics on their side, citing statistics showing a majority of Republicans under 30 support gay marriage.
LaSalvia also emphasized that pro-gay GOP activists should not reject Republicans who oppose same-sex marriage -- but he did skewer those within the party who he said “just don’t like gay people.”
“And in 2013, that’s just not OK in America anymore. Because gay people are in every family. Every community. Every circle of friends,” he said.
NBC's Kasie Hunt contributed to this article.
Leave a Comment:
I wonder what Gay GOP'ers think about, say, 'nanny-states' ??
Log Cabin Republicans...
WOW...why do these gay folks even pretend to be conservatives...because they are getting no love there at all.
It's called sadomasochism ;)
LGBT's are used to hate. They can even handle CPAC. I can't imagine most CPACrs paying them any attention though. They love their country but hate most of the people in it.
Say it ain't so
Freedom? I guess it depends on your definition of the word. It sure doesn't mean 'equal rights', 'tolerance' or 'acceptance' to the GOP. The Tea Baggers won't ever push for gays to have equal rights under the law or marriage equality.
If you don't fit inside the conservative pup tent, you're labelled un-American or worse.
I think groups like the Log Cabin Republicans and GOProud are delusional and sad, desperately trying to be accepted by people who openly revile them.
What did VP Biden mean, when he said -
"We're not talking about your garden variety slap across the face" when describing abuse to women in an interview?
This is really disturbing folks
Gay Republicans? Both of them are at CPAC?
When are homosexuals going to stop their assault on the straight people, and let our government use their time more productively, like working on the economy, wages, jobs, getting people back into their homes, solving Obama's obsession with getting us deeper into debt? I'm not saying their needs are not important, it just is not as big a priority as these other things, that affect millions of Americans. Our government is wasting a tremendous amount of money on foolish things (homosexual marriage, gun "control", illegal aliens) when it should be concerned with representing ALL Americans.
What really bothers me, is all these laws that homosexuals are trying to get passed, are ALREADY ON THE BOOKS! Read the Constitution of the United States - it says, "all persons born or naturalized in the United States are citizens, and are entitled to the same rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness". What's wrong here, is our government MAKES LAWS, but never enforces them, because they need to keep making up more stupid laws just to keep their jobs. We all have the same rights - as AMERICANS.
Gee Bill, I am so glad you spoke up for bigots, and bigotry. Since you don't consider homosexuals Americans, Gun control or rather a lack of it a problem, and "illegal aliens" as being foolish, perhaps we can go on to real important things like a pipe line that transports the worst and most dirty of carbon through our heartland for the purpose of making oil companies richer.
I'am surprised the gay group at cpac is doing quite well but NOM is another matter lol
Jontho, you strike me as a very uninformed person, who can't read a complete paragraph. I absolutely said homosexuals ARE Americans, and have the same rights as anybody else. Unintelligent people use a dictionary that has only one or two pages, and always use bigotry as a weapon. The gun control you speak of, is ALREADY ON THE BOOKS. It just isn't enforced, like so many laws already on the books. The big problem is, and apparently what you can't see, is when the government has a list of everybody that has a gun, bad things happen. If you would look at other countries that enacted gun control, the government took away ALL guns from the law - abiding citizens, so only the criminals had them. Examples: Mexico - look how many innocent people have died there; Australia - crime is on the rise, because only the criminals have guns. Look around you, and stop saying, "oh, it'll never happen here". Our founding fathers set forth laws about entering our country illegally, and our present government is crapping on all our rights as real American citizens (by offerring illegals free medical, schooling, driver's licenses, Social Security, amnesty) and people like you are supporting them - while they take our jobs. How do you think people who have been waiting years to come into our country LEGALLY feel? And as far as your pipeline rant, you must not own a car. Good for you.
Johntho....Can you explain why you believe that Bill's comment above labels him a bigot? I think you need to work on your reading comprehension.
There are gay republicans, because many people realize the damage liberal fiscal policy has on our country. Rights and progress always seem to come around more during times of prosperity. We can't move ahead as a country socially, until we give up the silly fiscal ideas liberals have that stop our growth.
KayBeeToys, Gay Conservatives are helping re align the Republican party because as conservatives ourselves, we would rather chew our own arms off than vote Democrat because Democrats have nothing to offer us plus we are VERY concerned about National Debt, Economic opportunity, our 2nd Amendment rights and Constitutional rights in general. What business is it of the governments where they get to tell anyone who they can marry period???? Senator Rand Paul was right when he said "The GOP of old is stale and covered with moss!" There are Gay Conservatives who served honorably in the military fighting for freedoms they don't get to take part in! Lt Colonel Margareth Cammermeyer served her country honorably but was greeted with a dishonorable discharge once she returned home with her troops because she was a lesbian. And for the first time in history, the entire staff and military at Fort Lewis walked off the base after making sure the media was there to witness their protest of her unfair treatment risking a court martial for abandoning a Military base! If the GOP is going to build a winning Coalition, It won't accomplish it through hate, division, derision and cynicism! Cliff Kincaid of Accuracy In Media wrote a hate filled rant of bile for the opening of CPAC claiming that Floyd Corker and Bradley Manning represent the Gay Community and should be ostracized. No Cliff Kincaid, Bradley Manning does not represent us because he stole military secrets and gave them to WikiLeaks putting Americans and the men and women of our armed forces in Danger to promote his own agenda and that's not how we want to be represented, but Democrats think he's a hero, which is why Gay Conservatives are not Democrats! Floyd Corker tried to blow up the Family Research Council with a bomb and kill people. Democrat Liberals think HE'S a hero but Corker doesn't represent us either! Barney Frank doesn't represent us either when his other half runs an escort service out of their townhouse while Barney says nothing is wrong in the house Banking committee where millions of seniors and other were relying on the funds they lost because of him when the market crashed, but Democrats think he's a hero! Now do you see why many are not EVER going to be Democrats? We have more in common with Republican Conservatives and I will work my butt off to do my part to make sure Gay Conservatives get a voice here! We are Winning. THAT is how to build a winning Coalition to restore American Values!
mrbenz7,
Beautifully written and I completely agree. Once more people realize they should vote for how they think will help the whole country instead of just themselves, we can move forward as a people.
People have their rights to their individual beliefs n shud accept others n their beliefs as long as they r not the ones wanting to kill us b/c we do not conform to their beliefs. None of the gays that I know want to kill me b/c I am not gay. None of my friends who do not believe politically the way I do want to kill me. Get real, we have a serious problem here with a faction that does want to kill us b/c we do not believe as they do. They even kill their family members for disobeying their beliefs n dishonoring their families. Accept the things that u cannot change n have the wisdom to know the difference.
Another really good point, we do not n cannot afford to enforce all the laws we have now. Get real, look at the good of all Americans!! Our freedoms!!
GOD created Adam and Steve
God created Adama and Eve
... only this way, God thus created Adam and Eve.
And just WHO did their children marry and have sex with? You thumpers refuse to answer that one.
3rdviewfromleft,
You know pigotry is a hard leftist who is completely not a bible thumper right? Get your ignorance off these boards man.
MrBurns - so, YOU can't answer it, either! And you accuse ME of ignorance?!! Duh . . . . . .
What do the Christian famly values people have to say about "gays"? Or the highly religous right? Will this cause more desent ?
The highly religious right, if taking their cues from faithful leadership, respect the gay community but oppose the redefinition of the sacrament of marriage. Mr. LaSalvia appears to be on the side of respecting opposition, but not discounting those who disagree blindly as a whole.
A good concept more of us might follow actually.
The highly religious right considers homosexuality an abomination, Candice.
What do Christian family values have to do with republicans? Nothing.
kaybeetoys, why do you feel you have the right to bash another person's religious beliefs, and have everyone accept only YOUR belief? Where's the equality in that?
That would be "dissent". For those of you who have never cracked a Bible, there is a simple answer. While we are commanded to love our neighbors as ourselves, that also requires us to lovingly tell people that their futile thinking will condemn them. Repentance and the need to recognize that we are sinful human beings is the one true thing that matters. To continue in this belief that homosexuality is as normal and beneficial as heterosexuality just does not square with the facts. If I had gay family members, I would continue to love them but not do anything to make them believe that I accept what they are doing as okay and normal.
Does none of u care about an election that was bought by gifts, lies, n voter fraud?? How can anyone be proud of that kind of win! Not even mentioning the media an all their bias. Our media is as bad as NK n the old russian Pravda!! We had a candidate with experience. POTUS lies all the time n then can't even remember what he said from one minute to the next. U act like nadd, the drones, the armoured vehicles, the fema camps with thousands of coffins n all the hollow point ammo purchased by our gov is of no concern?? Get ur head out of the sand n quit with the pot, koolaid etc!!
Who's bashing anyone's religious beliefs? It's a simple fact that religious right-wingers consider homosexuality to be an abomination.
Take it up with them, not with me.
and is anyone surprised by this???? I mean, c'mon!!!! We got keynote speakers such as Sarah "Mama Grizzly" Palin who thinks it cute that her 3 year old grandson (out of wedlock, mind you) runs around in fit of temper calling someone "a fag." Yes, this from the crowd that thinks the earth was formed 6,000 years ago.
If a 3 year old is calling someone a "fag" this was learned at home,is anyone supprised? I don't think so.
Stay classy, moonbats, attack a 3 year old grandson. You are pathetic.
The attack isn't on the child rather on the parent that taught the child , a little reading problem maybe. We all make mistakes.
What's classy, "GOP", is a party that still thinks it's relevant when it's composed of 60+ GED recipients, the rural south, and fat loud white guys like you. We won. And we won civil unions in Colorado. Eat it.
What's pathetic is anyone who considers the white trash Palin family 'classy'.
Old man,
I lot of kids learn their bad behavior at school and not at home. They are perfect angels at home and monsters at school.
Roger, how many schools has this 3 yo atttended?
Roger, three year olds in school? C'mon.
I was making an observation on how a lot of kids pick-up their behaviors, this child may have heard this word somewhere other than at home, I am just stating a different point of view. Lighten-up!
Please cite where you heard or saw that.
All kids watch TV. Most of the time, the shows r unsupervised. They learn these things quickly n r not taught manners...."no name calling" is a simple thing to teach n wud cover a lot of areas. A lot of kids pick up terms that they do not even know the meaning of.
I’m glad to see LGBT Republicans. These are people who seem to weigh seriously all of the issues (not just one or two) and then freely choose to support the party whose overall values most matches theirs.
“Old man” asks how the Christian right will feel about this. That’s a genuine concern, I suppose. Another concern is the persecution right leaning LGBT’s may experience by the liberal left. Those not in lockstep with the progressive stereotype and menu of beliefs subject themselves to condemnation by that side too.
Candice Very unfortanatly the "gays" condemnation comes from many sides and isn't "party" orientted.
Thank you for agreeing there are misguided individuals on all sides.
Yes. It is unfortunate.
Prop 8 (making gay marriage illegal again) passed in California mainly due to the black vote. And black people are over 90% democrat. So liberals made gay marriage illegal in one of the most liberal states in the country, and they think conservatives have a monopoly on homophobia?
Letting the government control personal decisions is the very essence of Big Government. I cringe every time I hear a Republican rail against big government in one breath and then support government suppression of personal freedom in the next breath. Whether you approve of homosexuality or not, government has no business dictating this aspect of personal behavior. Neither should government be dictating what anyone can do "with or to" their own bodies. Until they acknowledge and eliminate this hypocrisy, the Republicans cannot be trusted with the levers of government.
But you would "trust the levers of government" to a 1/2 term rookie senator who has never run a lemonade stand! That's SMART.
Wow Steve that is so liberal of you! Yet the left wants to tell us what we can eat and drink with bans, both parties have problems and have got us in this mess, get a clue.
Expecting a leopard to change its spots? Not going to happen. The GOP knows that its base is bunch of ignorant gun-toting, racist, fearful fundy church goers and they are not willing to lose THEM to cater to a bunch of guys in silk ascots and ladies in comfortable shoes. So WISE up and support the ONLY party that has EVER supported gays and lesbians: THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY! And any gay who is out only for themselves, who doesn't care about the voter suppression that went on thank you repukes, well you can just stay with the LOOSERS, looser. The MAJORITY did not vote for REPUKES and the only reason they have a majority is due to their dirty scuzbag map manipulations. We are wise to them and it is time for the dinosaur to go back into extinction.
Righties, you sound like a very angry person. You've grouped everyone you don't like into one bunch, and call them hateful names. Stay with the Dems if you wish, but understand our country can't exist with only ONE party. And you should open your eyes to some of the scary things your party is doing to our country, but I doubt it. By the time you see it, it'll be too late.
The Republican Party will change or cease to exist. I believe there will be change.
Wow! Are you going to be the first one to fund and setup re-education camps in this country?
Gay, n the race card! Is that all u have?? I have a multi racial family n best friends who r gay. I did not feel so guilty about slavery that I voted for an incomptent with no experience that continues to lie blatantly n then deny that he lied n blame it on any one he can. We have no reason to feel guilty about either thing, life is what it is n we shud all be proud, free, Americans. Also have illegals in my family tree, that live under the gov radar. Wish they wud stand in line n get their green cards or as some have done, become american citizens. Wake up n smell the coffee, accept what we r and be proud of America, she needs our help now more than ever. Get rid of POTUS who cannot tell the truth about Benghazi n gives our money to the muslim brotherhood. These r the important things!!
Fools. Rejected by almost everyone in their own party, and yet they persist. I guess they were just born that way (conservative).
Some people care more about whats good for the whole country than whats good just for them. I guess you just care about yourself.
Portman got it right. When you have a son who is gay(even still in the closet) you do your best to support him. People do not chose to be gay or straight. IMHO
gay people ARE NOT in "every family and circle of friends"! None in mine, and I have a LARGE extended family. This is pure bs. Sodomites don't make up 10% of the population. That is a lie admitted by those promoted this deathstyle. It is LESS THAN 1 %. So then, They are not in all families, etc. Lies, lies, lies
wow you must really live in a small town
Smack, your attitude has not allowed anyone in your family to "come out"
It's hard when all your wives and husbin-folk are related. Isn't it? Well, isn't it? Are you from Arkansas? I'll just bet you are. #winning.
The gay men and women I know are far more kind, decent, generous and moral than the "Family Values Christian" hypocrites who abuse them.
So this makes it right? I love my son, but do not want to sleep with him. They want you to think it's about love!... CaCa! I love my fellow man! I do not want to sleep with him! It's called perversion, and it's my constitutional right to believe/teach/instill in my children the same values. And I have! That's a fact... so don't call us wrong for the values my Mother and Father instilled in me....And don't ever use Faith and these humans in the same sentence...If you can find it, it came from these humans re-writing...There is not one religion on this planet that it's ok! Only one they started!
If your parents taught to be racist, is that right also?
Moral: I feel so sorry for you. Your "faith" has blinded you to reality. I know Catholic Priests who accept gay couple into their parishes. How's that sit with you?
Daniel,
Lumping a group together and calling all of them out on an issue is something the left has always defended against, you need to reread your liberal handbook.
Most people like to be around their own kind. If u moved to a foreign country, u wud like to live in the american community n be with ur fellow americans. It is the same all over. People that share our likes n dislikes..it is still a free country, they have not taken all our rights away yet.
I know a few towns down south and if you are gay you are gone and thats not going to change. Yes folks blacks and gays are not welcome in some small towns in midwest and down south.
and the northeast, northwest, southwest.
And the northeast ,northwest, west, and southwest.
Ask gays and minorities where they feel comfortable at. I guarantee its nowhere near the south
George,
I guess where you live is the only place that does not have racist, what a lucky guy.
You guys know minorities are overwhelmingly against gay marriage right? Black people helped pass prop 8 in California. Conservatives dont have a monopoly on homophobia.
GOD will judge, and if you don't worry about it ("if you are wright with God ") or gamble that gay & les. people might or might not pass GOD'S judgement, I think if it were me, I would not take the chance ! Eturnity is a long time my friend ! READ THE BIBLE .......
Try turning off Fux news and pull your head out of the sand.
Opposed to the opinions of those on the far left at MSNBC. At least some outlets actually have segments where they report the news.
Leave it up to god, "Judge not, least u be judged." The people that have sworn to kill anyone that does not believe as they do n do not conform to their religions r the ones to worry about. Keep america free!! Do not feel guilty n do not try to make others feel guilty. U do not have to agree with others, but let them be free as long as they do not want to kill u for ur beliefs! There r persons who even kill their family members for their inflated egos n honor.
So sick of all these rights. We are all people. But that is one thing I see, all want to be classifed as something. I am just a human who functions in this world. I do my best to respect all. In the area where I live, gay people make you sick. They are flamboyant, and all ways trying to throw their ways into peoples faces. I say grow up, live, and quit you bitching. You have no more or no less rights than anyone else. So sick of labels and people who try to push their ways.
This country has more pressing issues than wasting time on some gay/queer issues. Gayism is a choice and very immoral. Who give them (gays) the right to impose their unsanitary lifestyle on normal americans?
Unsanitary? Really? As far as being immoral, that is your belief. Sexuality has nothing to do with being "normal". Besides, you and everyone else on here spouting your religious beliefs for not passing gay marriage are missing the point completely. Separation of Church and State. It shouldn't have anything to do with religion, and quite frankly shouldn't be up to the votes of small minded individuals. It SHOULD be an equal right for all. Homosexuals pay their taxes just like everyone else, yet are not given the same rights. If you don't agree with it, fine, but it's not your right to tell others if they can or can't get married. God is probably ashamed at all the hating directed at His children that He created. And, yes, I am a Christian.
What about 2 single people living together..Both strait..Why can't they have the same rights that gays are looking for? Why do they have to be called significant others? Why can't they be considered husband and wife through common law. After living together for lets say 5 or 7 years they should have the rights and gays and marrieds. Seems to me the only answer is All or nothing..A marriage between a man and a woman is the fairest way to handle it. The reason to marriages is to go forth and multiply. If 2 gays marry for this reason a third party is necessary so IT IS NOT THE SAME THING.
Glad to read the same old rethoric from the left.....They bitch and gripe about the Republicans who are "haters" as well as calling us interolerant bigots for not supporting anything that they or the gay communities want...just as you say they have rights well guess WHAT so do WE....I am a conservative Republican....I cannot and will not support gay marriage...they can have civil unions, they can have same benefits...I don't give a damn about the material things they want THEY CAN HAVE THAT...but never ever will I support the sancity of marriage that God gave a MAN and a WOMAN to a gay couple....there will plenty of you who will be calling me names but guess what I don't give a DIME...and yes there are several GAY family members in my family that I love but they respect my views just as I repect theirs.... however, I don't know you so your own ugly, high opinion doesn't affect me on bit...YOU perhaps should take a GOOD LOOK inside the window to your OWN heart and mind and tell me that you yourself are intolerent of others (therefore a HATER too) and that you looked down upon our views and beliefs that we hold fast to our hearts as stupid since we do not not agree with you...for we don't have to answer to any of you on the left only to God and His Son....I don't hate the gays at all but I am growing weary of their and the lefts insistance that I forego my religious views and give in to what I know is morally wrong in God's eyes....why homosexuals are the way they are, I cannot answer only God in His wisdom can and I try very hard not to question what I do not understand from God but I do try very very hard to keep my faith in His love, wisdom and mercy for us all...
Quit with the gays, republicans, race, democrats! Too much hate is a disease, like the blame game is a disease. Denounce ur disease now. Come to ur senses n look at the real problems. America is in serious trouble n u quibble about nonsense issues. Each human in America(except the ones that want to kill us b/c we r not of their religion) has rights n shud be left alone to pursue their right to happiness. The killers need to leave n go with their own kind n not try to kill us.
Yeah, Richard....all of those arguments have already been shot down and you should save your breath because very, very soon, your opinions on the subject will be rather obsolete.
Me31 - You're growing weary? I think we, as a society, are growing pretty weary of the religious whackos trying to push their Bible-based views on everyone else. You are allowed to believe whatever you want in terms of religion, etc., but you are not allowed to push or force those viewed on others and, unfortunately, that's what religions tend to do. Religious beliefs have interfered with our system of laws to the point where some laws now are clearly in violation of the Equal Protection clause of the Constitution - including those that purport to prohibit gays and lesbians from getting married. There is no LEGAL basis for these laws. They are simply laws that were created as a result of people pushing their religious views on others - something that is prohibited by the Constitution. Sorry, but nobody is asking you to forgo your religious views. You can believe whatever you want, but you cannot impose those beliefs on others in order to create laws that are patently unconstitutional.
Steve,
But you want to impose your beliefs on others?
SPEAKING OF NOT BEING ALLOWED TO PUSH OR FORCE VIEWS ON OTHERS, Can you PLEASE TELL the LBGT to STOP forcing their Gay Agends down Our throats??? Not ONLY should Religious whackos is what You called them Not be allowed to force Their Agenda, the Gays NEED TO STOP Forcing theirs TOO...I DON'T CARE if You are Gay or Not, Each SIDE has a RIGHT to their own Opinion and if my Opinion is NOT of the Majority, it STILL is MY Opinion and is worth the same VALUE of Everyone Elses!!! I do NOT BELIEVE Gays should be allowed to Marry in a Church, that is MY Opinion, and I do NOT care who likes it or NOT, IT IS still my Opinion...
Bmore, you're really stupid, aren't you? Now listen here you ignorant twunt: Marriage is a civil @!$%#ing contract. Do you know what a contract is? If you don't, look it up. It should be available to all mother@!$%#ing consenting adults. This does not include dogs, goats, llamas, sheep, toasters or children. This means that two sensate, living adults over the age of 18 are allowed to marry one another regardless of race, religion, background, religious belief, or otherwise. That's the end of teh story, and the legal argument can be found (Alpha and @!$%#ing Omega) in the Fourteenth Amendment's equal protection clause. You can also look that up. So, whether the majority, the right, or the left, that's the end of it. And you may, at any given moment, be a member of whatever idiotic church you would like, but the majority does not have the right to vote on a minority's status. Also, @!$%# you.
Many things are not right, based on moral grounds. Do you wish to not be able to object to behaviour on moral grounds? Civil unions can be applied to numerous endeavors because of the equality statues. In my opinion, sexual lifestyle should not be considered a right nor a minority.
Abe Lincoln would be a member of GOProud if he were still around.
lol