Comments on: Stop damning Republicans and start talking to them

By: Im Just Sayin

Im Just Sayin — Wed, 21 Nov 2012 16:12:40 +0000

The answer to your question is simple and I think it is why LCR cannot escape the hypocrisy of their endorsement of Romney. Up until now, we did not have a pro-marriage candidate to stand with. So that position was not overarching, allowing the other issues that you still prefer to focus on flow to the forefront. We now have the option of electing pro-gay rights candidates over those that would hold us to second class status. For me the choice is clear when it is economics vs. equality.

By: James Hawk Crutchfield

James Hawk Crutchfield — Wed, 21 Nov 2012 07:58:04 +0000

Most importantly we should not let partisan Democrats tell us why we should not be reaching out as they are speaking from their political agenda. This is an issue where we needed to approach it from a gay aspect rather than a Democratic aspect.

By: James Hawk Crutchfield

James Hawk Crutchfield — Wed, 21 Nov 2012 07:50:44 +0000

The best way to get rid of an enemy is to make that enemy your friend and in the case of Republicans you can not do that by pretending they are all alike. More and more of them are seeing the writing on the wall and know that the future is not their friend unless they change. Too many people act like all Democrats have always been our freind and supporters but it started with only a few willing to work with us and the same is true today with Republicans.

By: David Lampo

David Lampo — Tue, 20 Nov 2012 17:25:18 +0000

They’re in there because it’s always the ideologues who control the party platforms, the ones for whom anti-gay rights is their cause. Gay rights is not a high priority for most voters, Democrat or Republican, so motivating enough Republicans to fight to change the platform will be a challenge, but that’s what LCR and other pro-gay rights Republicans are trying to do. I think it will happen some day. Keep talking to those Republicans in Texas.

By: David Lampo

David Lampo — Tue, 20 Nov 2012 17:21:11 +0000

Some of the big tent talk does include gays and some does not. Not sure what you point is, but not all Repblicans agree, just like not all Democrats agree. How odd that you say the legislative repeal of DADT didn’t mean anything. Tell that to every glbt group who called it a milestone. Also odd you chastise LCR for endorsing Reps who didn’t support marriage equality. Does that mean you never support Bill or Hillary or Barack in his first run? Or all the other Democrats who opposed it, like John Kerry and virtually all of the House and Senate Democratic leadership? You clearly have one standard for Dems and another for Reps.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Mon, 19 Nov 2012 20:38:03 +0000

As there are still a small minority of politicians that remain racist, there will always be those that likewise, will always remain homophobic. We have no control over these. But what we do have control over is making efforts to bridge the gap to those GOP's that have potential for change. Change is the key to forward progression. As for the opinionator of this column and in light of this fact, he is correct.

By: Houndentenor

Houndentenor — Mon, 19 Nov 2012 02:40:54 +0000

You act like none of us are talking to Republicans. We don’t all live in liberal places, you know. It goes in one ear and out the other. Or they make excuses for supporting vehemently anti-gay candidates but do it anyway. I’m out of ideas. Tell me what to say. It’s not like I haven’t tried.

By: Houndentenor

Houndentenor — Mon, 19 Nov 2012 02:39:04 +0000

If all that is true, then why are all those things in the GOP platform? Why are there planks that only a minority of Republicans support? Something doesn’t add up here. Also, I talk to Republicans every day. I live in Texas now. It’s exhausting.

By: Twixt Left and Right — IGF Culture Watch

Twixt Left and Right — IGF Culture Watch — Sun, 18 Nov 2012 13:42:40 +0000

[...] still. David Lampo writes, “Stop damning Republicans and start talking to them”: It is time for gay rights leaders and supporters to embrace pro-gay Republicans and work with them [...]

By: Im Just Sayin

Im Just Sayin — Fri, 16 Nov 2012 23:11:06 +0000

Ah, the typical gay republican response straight from the Clarke Cooper playbook: “if you don’t agree with me, you must have a hearing problem.” You know Mr. Lampo, the issue here is not “republicans” it’s “REPUBLICANS” as in — those in leadership positions. Unlikely that Boehner is going to veer from the path he has gone down on DOMA. Unlikely that the Speaker is going to let a “T” inclusive ENDA even reach the floor for a vote so as to not expose the intollerance of House Republicans. He will however, work aggressively to ease tensions with women and hispanic voting blocks.

Accordingly, I am going to go all in with the Dems and the Federal Judiciary as the most viable path to removing the remaining legal barriers to full equality. You Log Cabiners still pretending that Scott Brown and Susan Collins delivered your DADT victory and not the federal judiciary? As for crossing the ideological chasm, if I recall, LCR had a strange way of showing Rep. Patrick Murphy their appreciation for all his DADT support. Want to discuss the number of times LCR has endorsed republicans who didn’t support marriage equality? Can you say Patrick Murray? Talk about getting in the way.

I stand by my views that all the recent big tent talk we hear from the GOP does not extend to gays and blacks. They aren’t interested in changing, they think they just need to repackage the message and get smarter about not looking ignorant and intolerant.