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Opponents of Gay Marriage Not Necessarily Anti-Gay

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As Connecticut prepares to be the third state to recognize same-sex unions, The Hartford Courant ran an insightful piece on attitudes toward civil unions and same-sex marriage. This article confirmed something that I have long believed — that there are many people who oppose calling same-sex unions marriage, but who are clearly not anti-gay. Many opponents are supportive of gay issues, a healthy number even favor some form of state recognition of same-sex couples. But, as the title of the article indicates, they draw the line at gay marriage.

“Marriage and gay rights are two different issues,” says Bob Utley, a retired insurance industry employee from Burlington. Utley has a gay nephew and supports civil unions, which he believes would address most of the problems facing gay couples. “If they’re after legal rights, they can have those,” he says.
“But when you talk about changing the definition of marriage, it just raises a whole bunch of questions,” says Utley, who has been married for almost 40 years. “The term `marriage’ means `marriage between a man and a woman.'”

As I have said repeatedly on this blog (e.g., here, here and here), we need to understand why people like Utley oppose gay marriage. Voters in 18 states have voted to amend their state constitutions to preclude gay marriage. A host of other states are preparing similar initiatives for future ballots.
Reporter Daniela Altimari has done a good job of helping us understand the success of these initiatives. She has collected the thoughts of a number of Americans, many sympathetic to gay men and lesbians, who oppose gay marriage. Every gay leader, particularly those who advocate gay marriage should read her piece.
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Texas Republicans oppose ban on same-sex civil unions

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According to 365gay.com, Texas State Representative David Swinford, a Republican from Dumas, chairman of the House State Affairs Committee in the Lone Star State, led the effort to strip a proposed amendment to the Texas Constitution precluding same-sex marriage of a clause that would bar civil unions and same sex benefits. “It just goes too far,” he said. Another Republican, Rep. Martha Wong of Houston, was “shocked” to see the provision barring civil unions. Wong “supports a ban on gay marriage.” The amendment’s author, also a Republican, Warren Chisum of Pampa, agreed to remove the new language, but would try to amend the bill when the full House debated it.
I still hope (but doubt) that this proposed amendment (even without the anti-civil unions clause) goes down to defeat, but, this shows that while some Republicans in the very “red” state of Texas, like many Republicans in the “blue” state of Connecticut, may balk at state recognition of same-sex marriage, they favor (or at least are not opposed to) civil unions.
With this in mind, I repeat a point I made yesterday, “the best strategy for now is to pursue civil unions in state legislatures.”
UPDATE: North Dallas Thirty has a more in-depth post on this very topic.

My six-month blogiversary

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Before I turn in tonight, I wanted to note that as of today, I have been blogging for six months. To honor that, I reference my “virgin post” and quote again the words of the great Albert Camus with which I entered the blogosphere:

Something in us has been destroyed by the spectacle of the years just past. And this something is the eternal confidence of man, which has always made him believe that one could draw human reactions from another man by speaking to him in the language of humanity. We have seen lying, debasing, killing, deportations, torture, and each time it was not possible to persuade those who were doing it not to do it, because they were so sure of themselves and because one cannot persuade an abstraction, that is to say, the representative of an ideology.
The long conversation of mankind has just ended. And, of course, a man whom one cannot persuade is a man who frightens us….
We live in terror because persuasion is no longer possible, because man has been delivered entirely to history and because he can no longer turn to that part of himself, as true as the historical part, which he discovers in front of the beauty of the world and of human faces…

The Century of Fear from “COMBAT,” November 1946 (my translation)
-Dan (AKA GayPatriotWest): GayPatriotWest@aol.com

Report from New Orleans — Paucity of Republican speakers at LCR convention

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During the Log Cabin Republicans National Dinner Saturday Night at the New Orleans convention, LCR showed a short video on the group’s efforts in 2004. Among other things, the video included footage of a press conference held during last summer’s Republican National Convention where LCR announced the release of TV ad claiming that the GOP was focusing on issues which divide the party. Once again it struck me as odd that, just as Republicans were coming together to rally around their nominee, Log Cabin had been focusing on divisions within the party.
Of course, it makes sense for Log Cabin to distance itself from the president’s stand on the Federal Marriage Amendment as well as the GOP platform’s plank on civil unions (and other such planks). But, it seemed odd to use an occasion for party unity to promote and distribute a commercial which highlights their differences with the GOP.
Including that press conference in the video reminded me of the most frequent criticism this blog’s readers have made about Log Cabin. They cite such examples and wonder if Log Cabin is truly interesting in promoting the GOP.
At the convention this past weekend, I noted the relative paucity of Republicans on the panels. To be sure, former New York Senator Alfonse D’Amato joined us at the Welcome Reception while former New Jersey Governor Christine Todd Whitman delivered the keynote address at the dinner (when Chris Matthews had to rush off to Rome to cover the passing of the Pope). But, these two Republicans are former elected officials. No current Republican elected official addressed the convention.
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Kansas in context

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Like most gay people, I am saddened, but not surprised, by yesterday’s vote in Kansas to add the definition of marriage (as one man to one woman) to the state’s constitution. I am especially troubled by the sweeping nature of the provision. Not only does it define marriage, but it also prohibits the state from authorizing civil unions. The measure passed with 70 percent of Kansans in favor. All but one county, Douglas, voted for the proposition.
Kansas is now the 18th state to amend its constitution to define marriage as the union of one man and one woman. Voters in every state who have had the chance to vote on the issue, have approved, in many cases by margins of more than two-to-one, measures which so define marriage.
The people of Kansas have spoken. I wish they had voted differently than they had. But, now that the results are in, we must recognize their reality. Our task now is not to condemn the Kansas vote as HRC and NGLTF have done, but to figure out what it means.
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Report from New Orleans — Patrick Guerriero, taking the measure of the man

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Just over two years ago, when I first read that Patrick Guerriero was talking over Log Cabin, I contacted my friends who were still involved in the organization and asked about LCR’s new leader. To a person, they replied that he was personable and engaging and that he was making an effort to reach out to the leaders of the various clubs across the nation. I heard the same thing from those who had supported his predecessor as well as those who had criticized him.
Meeting (and observing) Patrick this weekend in New Orleans, I confirmed the comments of my friends. Before we met, I watched him interact with the people at the convention. He shook their hands enthusiastically (or hugged them warmly) and looked into their eyes when he spoke to them.
I introduced myself to him Saturday afternoon at a fundraising reception for LCR members running for office. Earlier in the day, this blog had broken the story of the lawsuit against him. And yet, when he heard my name, he knew who I was — and still greeted me warmly. He did not fault (or otherwise show any disregard for) me. I was impressed how he maintained his cool while talking to someone who has frequently criticized his leadership. He came across as a genuinely nice guy who seemed to take criticism in stride.
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GP’s accomplishment

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In 1998, when I attended the Log Cabin convention in Dallas as president of the Log Cabin Republican Club of Northern Virginia, I brought with me The Virginia Plan, a report I had written and our board had unanimously approved, for consideration at the convention’s strategy session. Alas, that that session was limited to remarks by LCR’s then-Executive Director. I distributed the plan and received feedback from several club leaders, but none from the national office.
Our board approved a second plan in February 1999 which I hand delivered to the then-chairman of LCR national. He never got back to me.
This year, while no longer a club officer in Log Cabin, I found that I enjoyed greater respect at the convention in New Orleans than I had at a similar conclave nearly seven years earlier in Dallas. A number of national officers indicated that they were familiar with the blog. In his speech at the banquet Saturday night, LCR President Patrick Guerriero noted that “blogs” were one of the sources of Log Cabin’s criticism. As I reported earlier, someone close to the national office asked that I “write good things.” He knew we had an impact.
This blog has earned the attention of the Board, something which I could not accomplish as president of a chapter which grew from 10 members at its founding in June 1997 to just under 60 a year later. And we owe it all to the guy with the guts to found GayPatriot, the guy with the guts to speak openly for gay conservatives who, while not always agreeing with the president, did generally admire him and supported his reelection. We owe it all to our founder, the GayPatriot.
I knew this weekend that every time I identified myself as GayPatriotWest to someone at the convention and that individual recognized the blog, I would not have been called a “celebrity” had GP not invited me on board six months ago.
Largely because of him, the Log Cabin leadership is paying more attention to gay Republican critics of the organization. And the world can better see the diverse views of gay conservatives.
So many readers have e-mailed (or Instant Messaged) me to express concern for this blog’s founder. They miss his wit — and his insight. And, like me, they are grateful for what he has accomplished.
So, thanks, GP. We miss you — and want you back.
-Dan (AKA GayPatriotWest): GayPatriotWest@aol.com

Wisdom of the Second Youngest PatriotNephewWest

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For his homework, my second youngest nephew, a fourth grader, had to use each of the week’s spelling words in a sentence. Being a wise and precocious individual, this PatriotNephewWest was a bit more creative than the average ten-year old and used these words to craft a story, which I reprint with the permission of his father, the eldest PatriotBrotherWest:
1. Today the president gave the press a tour of what goes on in his OFFICE.
2. He was very GRACIOUS even with all the media.
3. He seemed to enjoy all the PUBLICITY.
4. But some of the media CRITICIZED him on how he did things.
5. He said he didn’t always like working in the cramped SPACE of the OFFICE, and liked to get outside to work sometimes.
6. The media did their job of being CRITICS and suggested that it might not be safe for him to work outside.
7. Apparently, half the journalists there were full of MALICE towards the president.
8. He also told the media that he planned to get closer to the PUBLIC.
9. He also planned to be one of the many presidents to PUBLICIZE his own book.
10. But after that day he wrote himself a letter in ITALIC to never invite the media over again.
I expect my nephew to soon join the blogosphere.

A court decision I like

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A three-judge appellate panel in my adopted home state upheld the Golden State’s domestic partnership legislation, finding that the act establishing such partnerships “did not constitute an amendment of the defense of marriage initiative.” According to the court, that initiative, passed overwhelmingly by California voters in March 2000, “intended only to limit the status of marriage to heterosexual couples and to prevent the recognition in California of homosexual marriages.” The initiative, however, didn’t “repeal our state’s then-existing domestic-partners law” nor did it prevent the legislature from enacting future domestic partnership legislation.
This California court got it right. The Campaign for California Families and the late state Senator Pete Knight, had sued, claiming that the Golden States’s domestic-partnership bill violated the 2000 initiative. The court, however, noted that “the Legislature has not created a ‘marriage’ by another name or granted domestic partners a status equivalent to married spouses.”
Randy Thomasson of the Campaign for California Families is upset by the ruling, yet feels it “gives impetus to the push for a constitutional amendment to protect marriage from the clutches of judges and politicians.” Thomasson also said “if it’s not a man and a woman, it’s not marriage.” That’s one reason the court got it right. The legislature didn’t call domestic partnerships marriages. The court noted that our elected legislators granted different privileges to each institution and defined different processes for entering into and ending each relationship.
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Report from New Orleans — Lack of Debate at LCR convention

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Each day this week, I will try to write about one aspect of the LCR convention this past weekend in New Orleans. Today, I will address my biggest criticism of the event, the relative lack of debate in New Orleans. To be sure, there were diverse perspectives on a number of panels.
It might have spiced things up, however, had they invited an opponent of gay marriage to the panel which considered the topic. That panel, “Protecting our Families” did offer some interesting exchanges between Dartmouth Professor Steve Swayne and gay marriage advocate Evan Wolfson as well as thoughtful commentary by Dale Carpenter. The panel on “New Strategies for Ending Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” did not include anyone who (like your humble blogger) opposed this great injustice and folly, yet was wary of seeking to overturn the ban in the courts.
Nor was there an official event to debate the wisdom of LCR’s non-endorsement of President Bush given our Republican president’s decisive victory last November, a victory where he retained approximately 90% of the gay vote he received in 2000. I was, however, able to generate discussion of the issue when I spoke with individuals at the convention. One reader of this blog (a supporter of the president who last fall faulted Log Cabin for the non-endorsement) told me he thought that, in retrospect, the organization had done the right thing as their support for several items on the president’s agenda now holds more meaning.
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Do bad ideas have awful consequences?

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Chrenkoff notes that, according to a new study, the “typical recruit to al-Qaeda is Western-educated and has a wealthy, professional background.”
Chrenkoff uses this study to debunk (once again) the argument about the “root causes” of terrorism, i.e., that poor people become terrorists to take a stand against poverty and social injustice, writing that most “revolutionaries and terrorists are narcissist for whom ‘the people’ are merely an excuse and a prop in a never-ending drama of self-actualization.”
The article he cites from The Australian notes further than not only are most al Qaeda members from upper-middle-class homes but “60 [percent] were [also] college-educated, often in Europe or the US.”
Educated in Europe or the US. Makes one wonder about what American and European universities are teaching upper-middle-class students from Arab lands. Many publications and blogs have noted the anti-American atmosphere at many institutions of higher learning. Do bad ideas there have awful consequences?
Hat tip: Polipundit.

Opposition to Gay Marriage increasing?

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As Kansas voters prepare to decide tomorrow “whether to become the 18th state to add a ban to the state constitution, a new CNN/USA Today/Gallup poll shows that 68 percent of respondents did not think “same-sex ‘marriages’ should be recognized by the law as valid and come with the same rights as traditional marriages.” Only 28 percent favored same-sex marriages while 4 percent had no opinion.
This represents an increase from 55 percent opposing same-sex marriage one year ago. This poll also showed an increase in support of a constitutional amendment defining marriage, up to 57 percent from 48 percent a year ago. According to this poll, 37 percent remain opposed to such an amendment.
I have to say that I’m a little shocked by these numbers and note this poll’s relatively small sample size (fewer than 500 adults). (To those knowledgeable of polling methodology, do pollsters often use samples this small when surveying Americans’ opinions on issues?) If other polls show a similar growth in the opposition to state recognition of gay marriage, that will only prove the point that this blog has made in the past — advocates of such change must adopt new strategies if they wish to win popular support.
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Campaign finance reform hurts gays–and straights lacking wealthy spouses

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Reporting on a campaign fundraiser, BoifromTroy notes that the husband of a straight married opponent of an openly gay Los Angeles City Council candidate has

made a habit of having her husband contribute to her campaign whenever she fell behind in the fundraising race. Unlike the rest of us, candidates’ spouses can contribute unlimited sums of money to a campaign. A spouse can draw upon the wealth of their husband or wife because property may be transferred between the two without taxation–something which is not allowed for gay and lesbian couples

Since neither the federal government nor any state government (save Massachusetts) recognizes gay marriages, the spouse of a gay or lesbian candidate could not make similar unlimited contributions to his (or her) beloved’s campaign. Boi wonders whether this limitation of gay and lesbian candidates’ fundraising abilities also limits their ability to “seek and hold public office.”
Interesting point. I would raise another one. This is just another example of the absurdities of campaign finance reform legislation. The provision that Boi references benefits not all straight candidates, just those straight married candidates (like John Kerry) who have wealthy spouses. (A spouse of modest means would not have the resources to pour into her (or his) beloved’s campaign.)
Perhaps, this example will stir gay and lesbian activists to join conservatives and libertarians who seek to repeal McCain-Feingold and other such campaign finance laws. Log Cabin has joined conservative groups in supporting Social Security reform. Here’s another opportunity for them to work for conservative reform which benefits gay people.
-Dan (AKA GayPatriotWest): GayPatriotWest@aol.com

In memoriam, John Paul II

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Today, this blog joins the world in mourning the passing of Pope John Paul II. Along with Ronald Reagan and Margaret Thatcher, this great man helped raise the Iron Curtain and liberate tens of millions who had previously suffered under the yoke of Communism.
But, he did so much more than that. The Catholic pontiff built bridges to other religions. As a Jew, I was touched by his sensitivity to my faith. When his native land, Poland, was ravished by the Nazis, he witnessed the suffering — and extermination — of his Jewish fellow citizens. He was well aware of the plight of my people.
I read once that it is only a few thousand (or was it just a few hundred?) meters from Saint Peter’s to a prominent synagogue in Rome. Pope John Paul II was the first pope to traverse what is only a short distance in terms of physical measurement, but represented a huge symbolic step in building understanding between two faiths closely linked spiritually, but, over the centuries, often at odds, frequently brutally so.
When I flipped on the news and Fox showed Saint Peter’s Square, I heard mourners singing a Hebrew song, “Haveninu Shalom Aleichem.” It seemed a sign that at the one moment in a busy day when I would turn on the TV, I would be witness to fellow Jews in Rome singing to remember this great man.
I did not agree with all that he said or did. But, there is no doubt in my mind that he was a great man who did great things. He helped bring down the Berlin Wall by appealing to the yearning for freedom that beats in the heart of every human being. Through his faith, he brought hope to tens, perhaps, hundreds of millions of men, women and children. He reminded us all of the significance of our spiritual nature. And he reminded us of the incredible value of human life.
Rest in Peace, Karol Wojtyla, John Paul II. And thank you. Thank you.
-Dan (AKA GayPatriotWest): GayPatriotWest@aol.com
UPDATE: Rabbi Yitzchok Adlerstein shares his thoughts here on Pope John Paul II.

A goodwill gesture to LCR/LEF and a toast to the president

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Tonight, at the Liberty Education Forum (LEF) silent auction, the 501 (c)(3) auxiliary to Log Cabin, I bid on and won two items. Each item acknowledges a great Republican. I won “RONNIE AND NANCY,” a book by Bob Colacello, described on the dust jacket as an “attempt to paint a portrait of a marriage that changed the course of history” as well as a polo shirt with the logo, “W the President.”
I bought these as a goodwill gesture to my hosts this weekend — and because I appreciated their acknowledgment of these two Republican presidents.
Tonight, I had the honor to meet two readers of the blog, one with whom I have corresponded in the past, another who just struck up a conversation with me (not knowing who I was). He asked why I had come to the convention; I replied because of my blog. When I identified the blog, he was a bit overwhelmed and called me a “celebrity,” the second, but not last time this weekend I would earn that title. I am flattered that he enjoys the blog and fascinated that my blogging makes me a celebrity.
I was also touched by what he and his fellow New Yorker (the one with whom I had corresponded) said about GP. Like me, they miss him on the blog — and expressed their support for him at this difficult time. Once again, the basic goodness of our readers.
As I was paying for the items that I had won, a man close to the Log Cabin leadership — but whom I had not yet met — looked at me and said, “Write good things.” So, it seems that not only does Log Cabin know about this blog, but its leaders also pay attention to what we say. They know it gets read and has an impact.
For now, I will some good things and will save the criticism for a later post. By and large, I think they did a good job with the convention. My concerns (which I will address later) involve the absence of debate in the program and the absence of a plenary to vote on organization policy and elect leadership. That Log Cabin uses the same language on gay issues as the other gay organizations. And that they made no effort to even consider whether there is a conservative view of gay issues which differs from that of the Human Rights Campaign and other mainstream gay groups.
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Reflections on posting on the LCR lawsuit while at the LCR convention

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This morning, in New Orleans for the Log Cabin Convention, I made my first tough decision as sole blogger on GayPatriot. I had to decide whether to post on the lawsuit filed against LCR while attending the LCR convention. It seemed an unusual place to have to make that choice.
This information did not come to me out of the blue. A source had e-mailed me several days ago about this. I chose not to post anything as he had not provided any evidence. But, when I received the documentation this morning, ironically moments before I registered for the convention, I realized I had to make a decision.
I chose to post because the documents could be easily authenticated. And they are an item of public record. This blog has frequently commented on Log Cabin, posting items positive as well as negative. This story was clearly the province of GayPatriot.org. That said, I realize there are two sides to any case, so I asked Chris Barron to comment.
In the coming days, I will follow the case and will post as soon as I can what information I deem newsworthy. Should representatives of Log Cabin offer any comments (for the record) on the case while I’m here in New Orleans, I will post them as soon as I am able.
Our legal system gives both sides the opportunity to make their case. I believe that principle should extend to the court of public opinion as well. One individual has filed a complaint against Log Cabin. He has begun to make his case. Through this posting, you can access the documents and see his side. I expect that in a short while, Log Cabin will respond to his claim in court. I will make those documents available to you as they become available to me.
With both the complaint and response in hand, you will have a clear picture of the case and be better able to judge for yourself.
-Dan (AKA GayPatriotWest): GayPatriotWest@aol.com

LCR’s response to lawsuit

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Just moments ago, Chris Barron introduced me to two people who responded on behalf of Log Cabin to the charged referenced in the posts below.
Craig Engle, counsel to Log Cabin confirms that Dwight Lodge was terminated for cause, saying, “The suit is obviously without merit, but we wish Dwight very well.”
Timothy Schoeffler, Vice Chairman of Log Cabin, added, “The Board has complete and total confidence in Patrick, his team and his stewardship of the organization.”
-Dan (AKA GayPatriotWest): GayPatriotWest@aol.com

LOG CABIN BEING SUED FOR $15 MILLION DOLLARS

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GayPatriot Media is the among the first to obtain the court documents dated March 31, 2005 related to the wrongful dismissal suit that was filed against Log Cabin Republicans as reported on this site earlier this morning.
In the documents, former Chief Operating Officer Dwight Lodge is asking for $15 million in damages from the organization. The suit also alleges defamation of character against Mr. Lodge by Log Cabin Republicans and the Liberty Education Forum.
DEVELOPING……
UPDATE – 11:53AM — Christian Grantham has more including citations from the court documents alleging improper business practices and use of business funds by LCR Executive Director Patrick Guerriero.

BREAKING NEWS–former LCR employee alleges wrongful termination

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While here in New Orleans to attend the Log Cabin Convention, I just received news (via e-mail) that Dwight Lodge, former chief operating office of Log Cabin Republicans (LCR) and Liberty Education Forum (LEF) has filed a lawsuit claiming he was wrongfully terminated.
UPDATE: Christian Grantham has more details and a copy of the press release.
UPDATE #2: Last night, I told LCR Political Director Chris Barron that I was committed to telling the truth about Log Cabin and encouraged him to provide me any information showing cooperation with the GOP and conservative groups. I retain that commitment in this issue. With the link in the first update to the press release at Christian’s blog, you can read the details of the case against LCR. Chris has just promised me a comment on LCR’s response when he gets a moment. He is understandably busy with the convention. And I will post that comment as soon as I get it.

Star Struck in New Orleans

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I woke this morning in LA, CA and blog now from NO, LA.
At dinner tonight in the Big Easy, when one young gay Republican learned that I was GayPatriotWest, he replied that he was “Star Struck,” adding, “I feel like I’ve met a celebrity.” I think that’s the first time I’ve ever been called a celebrity. And that’s supposed to be what we Angelenos aim for. And to think I earned that “title” not for my work in the entertainment industry but for this blog.
At the convention’s “New Orleans Welcome Reception,” Eva Young did not (initially) recognize me. We had first met back in 2000 when she was at a conference in Torrance. We had a pleasant chat. I was also greeted warmly by a man who, under the name GOP Values, often criticized this blog. Steve May recognized me. I was introduced to Log Cabin Political Director Chris Barron who was very friendly.
I recognized someone. He smiled when I went up to greet him, recognizing me as well. Not until I saw his name badge did I realize that this Jeff whom I remembered from my days in D.C. was Jeff Cook, Log Cabin’s Field Director. He represents perhaps the biggest change in Log Cabin since my involvement with the organization.
When I founded the Northern Virginia club, the national office offered me no assistance. Today, Jeff is traveling the country, talking with and troubleshooting for leaders of existing clubs while helping others start up new clubs in towns that don’t yet have a chapter. Log Cabin is even helping pay for the convention expenses of two students trying to set up a chapter at their state university.
At dinner, a member of the LA club faulted Log Cabin for failing to endorse our man W last fall. He said that they could have carefully crafted a statement offering their support for the president while distancing themselves from his stance on the Federal Marriage Amendment. He indicated that he was not the only Log Cabin member to support the president, indeed, he thought that a majority of members had voted for him last fall.
So far, I can report on the friendliness of the reception here in New Orleans, both by the natives and by the people at the convention. I can also report that Log Cabin’s national office is more committed to building the grassroots than it was just a few years ago. Even so, I can’t find a place on the convention agenda for that grassroots to discuss, debate and amend the organization’s policies.
Finally, it’s clear that I’m not the only one here who voted to give another term to the man who, according to The New Republic‘s Marty Peretz is accomplishing a “genuinely momentous transformation in ways that virtually the entire foreign affairs clerisy–the cold-blooded Brent Scowcroft realist Republicans and almost all the Democrats–never thought possible.”
-Dan (AKA GayPatriotWest): GayPatriotWest@aol.com