I have been reading some of the comments on this blog and have realized that many have mistaken my support for McCain-Palin as something it's not, so let me make this clear. The ticket of Obama-Biden is more "gay-friendly" in the traditional sense than McCain-Palin. I am not going to begin to try to argue that the Dems are somehow less gay-friendly than the GOP, because I don't believe it. If you look at the tickets and the platforms, the Dems are more gay-friendly than the Republicans.
I also believe that BOTH tickets are the most gay-friendly that each party has ever put forward. Whereas in 2000 and 2004, the Bush campaign made gay marriage a lightning-rod issue, the McCain campaign has refused to do so. McCain also is against the Federal Amendment against gay marriage, has key gay staffers and allies, and is respectful of gay people and their relationships. This is a HUGE step forward for the Republicans. The Dems have also nominated their most gay-friendly presidential candidate in Obama. While I'd like McCain to be more forward-thinking in some of his gay-rights positions, I appreciate the advancement he's brought in this area to the ticket.
Where the disconnect between myself and many other gay voters lies is in the priorities we put on these issues. I simply don't believe that the president has much to do with gay rights. Under Bush, we have seen now three states legalized gay marriage, and other rights and protections have been codified. No, these aren't because of Bush, but despite his efforts. And that's why, when voting for President, I put many other things above "gay rights" when I vote. On a poll last year, I ranked "gay marriage" 10th out of 19 issues. This list would be slightly different right now, but it gives you a pretty good idea.
So, to answer the question, "How can a gay person vote for McCain," I hope this gives you some idea. I didn't vote for Bush in 2004, but McCain has earned my support this time around. If gay people don't support the most gay-friendly presidential candidate the party's ever had, the political will of the party to embrace gay issues, I am afraid, could move in the opposite direction.
I believe that gay people have rights and should be able to have gay marriage. if you dont like it ooh well for you!
Posted by: wynona | October 29, 2008 at 09:17 AM
Cyd:
Regardless of how you choose to spin it, you are consistently pro-Coulter and anti-Frank. You're a gay man from Massachussetts, but you feel no respect for Frank, who has objectively done more to make it safe for you to come out and talk about politics than anyone else in American history. Compare John Amaechi, who you have praised to the skies, and Frank. Which one actually took a risk by coming out? Which one is a real hero? Which one actually made your life better? Which one do you trash every time you mention him?
You may be amused by Coulter's absurdity, but you have continued to defend and promote her work while attacking any left wing humor, no matter how gentle.
You oppose hate crimes legislation to protect gays less privileged than yourself.
It is unlcear to me if you actually oppose ENDA or just every group and politician who supports it.
You attack the HRC and GLAAD every time you write about them. Where in your published work have you ever praised a gay advocacy organization other than the LCR? That is, outside the context of a larger attack?
Your positions on gay rights are much closer to John McCain's than they are to Barack Obama's. That's part of why you support him.
All of that is objectively true and obvious to anyone with access to Google, so why lie about it?
Posted by: Landon Bryce | October 16, 2008 at 02:45 AM
Landon, you strongly overstate my positions and do not understand my sentiments. I don't hate Barney Frank. I think he's a low-life politician, but I don't hate him. I am amused by Ann Coulter because of how absurd she is. I am hostile to most actions by gay advocacy groups? That is an absurd statement, is not true, and you have no evidence of it.
John McCain is not anti-gay. Some of his policies are, just as some of Obama's are (though more of McCain's are, as I said). Sorry, I'm not going to let you just be black-and-white with this very grey issue.
Posted by: Cyd | October 15, 2008 at 08:52 PM
Cyd, you're not being honest when you say that you will vote for an anti-gay president because you don't think the president has much to do with gay rights. That may or may not be true, but you consistently express hostility toward anyone who has done anything for gay people. You hate Barney Frank and love Ann Coulter. You are hostile to most actions taken by gay advocacy groups. You prefer anti-gay politicians and often express agreement with them on gay issues. You take any opportunity to get your name in the press by criticizing people who are working for your rights.
So don't pretend that you support McCain because the president just doesn't have that much to do with gay rights. You prefer people who hate people to people who are injured by that hatred. Why?
Posted by: Landon Bryce | October 14, 2008 at 05:23 PM