Comments on: Gay Calif. mayor seeks U.S. House seat

By: Chuck in the southbay

Chuck in the southbay — Fri, 13 May 2011 18:51:41 +0000

Wow – really really was quiet until now. Never hear nor knew about him until now. Not sure whether he’s going to get my vote yet, but need more infomation from/about him. Big deal, he’s gay. Big Deal, he’s a republican. Is this any better than the vote for Obama because he’s black thing?

By: Andy D

Andy D — Fri, 13 May 2011 02:47:29 +0000

I am gay and Republican and used to live in the district that Mike Gin is running in Congress for almost my entire life. That district has had a Republican in that seat in the past. That area is actually very moderate. Jane Harman had been in that office for 20 years (minus the 2 years that a Republican took over because she was running for Governor) because she knew not to be too left leaning. Fiscally she is left leaning, but on defense she is more conservative. Boeing and Raytheon were within her district borders. She was smart about her constituents, including the more conservative Beach Cities like Redondo and Manhattan.

I’m afraid that the Victory Fund is more concerned with voting in Democrats (gay or straight) than gay Republicans. Obviously this is uncommon, but when it does happen, VF will rather support a liberal than a very Republican (I’m not saying conservative) which is unfortunate, because gay people exist on both sides (whether you like it or not).

Isn’t it better to have both sides of the aisle to have concerns for our causes? The left is taking us for granted by getting DADT repealed with strings attached. Yes, it happened, but it could’ve happened on Jan 21, 2009, which still puzzles me. The right has pretty much ignored us because they have nobody who is gay in the congress, and they assume that if you are gay you will vote Democrat anyway even if they are against gay marriage. This is what we call a monolith. If the gay population will vote Democrat in super-majority numbers no matter how bad the city, county, or state is run, you are going to get more of the same and probably worse (of course I could say the same thing about everybody voting Republican 100% of the time). My point is if you don’t hold your representative’s feet to the fire that Representative will only do what lobbyists that carry the most cash tell he or she to do.

I’m happy that Mike Gin is running for congress. This is a great opportunity for someone who was a successful Mayor of Redondo Beach, someone who can balance who plans on shaking things up in the Republican establishment.

You must seriously ask yourself: if you do have a loyalty in this will you vote straight party ticket for the Democrats regardless of their platform, or will you vote for the only gay person running in this race who not only naturally supports the gay causes and is married to his partner of 16 years?

By: BobN

BobN — Mon, 09 May 2011 18:06:09 +0000

Gin said. “I don’t consider myself an activist, but I’ve certainly been an advocate for legislation that affects our community. Being an out mayor has allowed me to have that voice.”

But, from all accounts, he did not use that voice on gay issues at all.

The Victory Fund is for promoting gay rights, not gay individuals.

And what sort of “role model” is a gay person in a position of power who chooses not to use any of that power to further the rights of other gay people, let alone his own family???

By: Doug R

Doug R — Mon, 09 May 2011 15:58:12 +0000

The Victory Fund usually endoreses candidates who have a chance to win….it may be that with two good pro-gay candidates running they not want to take sides, but also if it’s such a strongly Democratic district, and it sounds like it is, a Republican candidate is likely a sacrificial lamb and they won’t likely endorse in that kind of district.

By: Matt Smith

Matt Smith — Fri, 06 May 2011 19:30:57 +0000

Can the Blade get a better answer why The Victory fund is not endorsing this man? Press them on the issue please. I assume they no not endorse Republicans that may flip a seat from DEM to REP is that the case? Can someone please get a honest answer from VF?

By: Matt Smith

Matt Smith — Fri, 06 May 2011 19:27:57 +0000

SC guy your southern brand of GOP does not work in the west – California Republicans are either moderate or they loose.

By: Liberal Homeric Gay

Liberal Homeric Gay — Fri, 06 May 2011 18:54:27 +0000

Relax sc guy! u sound like a typical homophobic American making my US of A look like a bunch of arrogant unaware a**holes! yes here in the states we have freedom of speech, but if u haven’t noticed we no longer live in the 1940′s! We live in a global community now – like it or not – the internet now allows a young mind from anywhere in the world to ‘dial up’ your comment above, and frankly you, and others like you are an embarrassment! Stop being so self-obsessed and think about another person for once in your life you pompous twit! climb out of that mercedes/bmw- walk around or do some volunteer work, talk to a stranger and you just may discover firsthand how VERY fossilized your kind of thinking has become!.

By: David Angel

David Angel — Fri, 06 May 2011 18:38:57 +0000

I used 2 think that gay republican was a bit of an oxymoron. Today i am a more educated, informed and proud gay man. What I would like 2 see happen is for Mr. Gin to succeed in his endeavor, whether he is Republican OR Democrat but always a proud gay.

By: Jerry

Jerry — Fri, 06 May 2011 16:22:08 +0000

Considering the caliber of Repugnicans these days, I’d like to see anyone using the label lose. They have be peddling BS by the boxcar load ever since the days of Ronnie Raygun and his bilious cohorts.

By: SC Guy

SC Guy — Fri, 06 May 2011 00:11:53 +0000

I never thought I would root for the Democrat but I’m certainly not rooting for this ‘Republican’. As a Republican, I’d rather see the party lose the race than have this liberal gay elected.