Gay Conservatives -- What Else Is New?
Posted:
08/27/10
This must be a slow news week because many media outlets are reporting that Ken Mehlman, former chairman of the Republican National Committee (2005 to 2007) and President George W. Bush's campaign manager in 2004, is gay. Mehlman, who came out publicly in an interview with The Atlantic's Marc Ambinder, admits it took him longer than it should have to feel at ease acknowledging his sexual orientation. "It's taken me 43 years to get comfortable with this part of my life," Mehlman said. He continued, "The process has been something that's made me a happier and better person. It's something I wish I had done years ago."
Despite the raised eyebrows in some of the coverage, "gay conservative" is not an oxymoron. I worked for Rep. Steve Gunderson (R-Wis.) from 1994 to 1996 during the time that he was publicly outted in 1994 by California conservative Bob Dornan on the House floor. While that seemed earth shattering then, when I escorted Gunderson's partner to the Cannon Building in 1995 to obtain his spousal identification card from the sergeant at arms, it seemed fitting given the natural progression of the issue and their relationship. Haven't we come further than to consider it news that someone is both homosexual and Republican?Then again, maybe we haven't. Among my conventionally Republican circle, even in 2010, there remains a conundrum of being politically conservative while socially liberal. Many gay conservatives are "out" when it comes to their sexuality, but "closeted" when it comes to their political beliefs -- keeping their conservative values a secret from their gay friends.
It's true there is a faction of the Republican Party that is anti-gay. Sexual orientation, race, religion and gender should have no bearing on which political party you support, but many extreme traditionalists seem determined to perpetuate the assumption that Republicans are racist, sexist and homophobic. Even Mehlman cringed when his former boss Karl Rove made sure anti-gay initiatives and referenda appeared on ballots in 2004 and 2006 to increase voter turnout by rallying the right's resistance to LGBT issues. "I can't change the fact that I wasn't in this place personally when I was in politics, and I genuinely regret that. It was very hard, personally," Mehlman said.
Mehlman is a Republican who just happens to be gay and there are many more whose active participation the party needs. It is well-known to political reporters that several congressional Republican leaders rely on high-level gay staffers to shape political policy. These aides are open about their sexual orientation to their bosses and work closely with them to represent their conservative districts.
The fact is that until very recently the majority of mainstream Americans have not supported gay marriage, so gay staffers in these positions are restricted from advocating for it publicly. Same-sex weddings do not reflect the will of their constituents.
Nonetheless, in my experience, many in the GOP welcome diversity. Sarah Palin ushered in a new enthusiasm for women interested in politics and now a record number of Republican women are running for Congress. A growing number of conservative feminists refuse to adhere to outdated notions of what it means to be a progressive woman. (Often these women face severe criticism from liberals, however. The National Federation of Republican Women recently denounced the EMILY's List attack on Republican women candidates.)
Racial diversity in the GOP is increasing as well. Consider the National Republican Congressional Committee's Young Guns as a more concerned reflection of the party. I've personally interviewed three men who represent the new demographics: Rev. Isaac Hayes, Israel Vasquez and Sean Duffy, but we need to shout about this diversity rather than keep it a secret.