Republican candidate calls opponent homosexual

[Red Arrow]

since the UK is closer.

closer... than or to what?

[we vs us]

Really?? What qualifies you to speak for what all homosexual's political preferences should be?  Are you implying their only interest as an American citizen should be gay marriage? 

Well I admit that I only have the hetero guest pass to Planet Gay so I'm not a definitive voice on this, but:

"Gay Marriage" is now more of a plank than a position.  It falls under the larger umbrella of equal rights, and even though it's the rallying cry for conservatives, it's not the whole, ahem, enchilada for the gay community. 

Azbad is right about the Log Cabin Republicans, who've very bravely and bizarrely chosen to support an ideology which is inherently opposed to them being equal citizens. 

And really, that's why there's just never going to be a large Republican gay constituency . . . not because there aren't any fiscally conservative gays who support a strong national defense, but because the family values part of the coalition so desperately wants to keep them out of sight and out of mind. 

[Red Arrow]

Could allowing homosexuals to live as they want instead of forcing them to fake being heterosexual be considered genocide?  If, as claimed, being homosexual is genetic, then adopted kids will not perpetuate the kind.

[azbadpuppy]

And really, that's why there's just never going to be a large Republican gay constituency . . . not because there aren't any fiscally conservative gays who support a strong national defense, but because the family values part of the coalition so desperately wants to keep them out of sight and out of mind. 

Ding Ding Ding! Absolutely correct.

Well, since I am a bona fide card carrying 'Mo I will weigh in on this one. Gay people are still fighting for the same basic rights afforded to the hetero community. Maybe when we aren't treated like second class citizens the focus can shift to other issues, but for now equal rights would be numero uno for the vast majority of the gay community. It is NOT just marriage rights, as another poster stated.

I don't believe either of the two major parties have the best interests of the gay community in mind, but certainly the Republicans have shown time and time again how they truly feel about gays, with their pandering to the religious right etc.  I am truly  surprised any self-respecting gay person can vote republican after the Bush era. I actually knew quite a few gay republicans prior to Bush, but they have all jumped ship. It's kind of hard to support candidates that at the very least completely ignore you,  and many openly condemn you to hell. When the Republican party is free of the 'moral majority' hijackers and returns it's focus to more fiscal issues I think you will see a larger support from the gay community.

[Red Arrow]

Why should either party consider the gay community anything other than another special interest group?

[azbadpuppy]

Why should either party consider the gay community anything other than another special interest group?

You're joking, right? Have you ever known a real life gay person?

Anyway, this has been stimulating conversation, but I'm off to the Holiday Bowl to watch Arizona kick Nebraska's behind.

Yup, contrary to popular belief gays do watch football- and not just for the tight pants (although that is an added bonus).

[Conan71]

Ding Ding Ding! Absolutely correct.

Well, since I am a bona fide card carrying 'Mo I will weigh in on this one. Gay people are still fighting for the same basic rights afforded to the hetero community. Maybe when we aren't treated like second class citizens the focus can shift to other issues, but for now equal rights would be numero uno for the vast majority of the gay community. It is NOT just marriage rights, as another poster stated.

What rights aside from government-sanctioned marriage are not afforded to people based on sexual orientation?  I'm not asking to be an donkey, I'm curious in what other areas the gay community feels in this day and age where they are not treated equal by the government.

I'm not going to pretend that any of my relatives or friends who are gay gives me superior knowledge of the gay community, just curious what your opinion is, because I don't really hear that kind of rhetoric from them.

[azbadpuppy]

What rights aside from government-sanctioned marriage are not afforded to people based on sexual orientation?  I'm not asking to be an donkey, I'm curious in what other areas the gay community feels in this day and age where they are not treated equal by the government.

I'm not going to pretend that any of my relatives or friends who are gay gives me superior knowledge of the gay community, just curious what your opinion is, because I don't really hear that kind of rhetoric from them.

Well, with marriage comes a whole slew of different rights like hospital visits, inheritance rights, tax breaks, etc.

But other rights would include being able to openly serve in our nation's military, equal rights in the workplace, being able to adopt children, housing security, among others. Pretty much things most straight people take for granted.

Currently in many states (including Oklahoma) you can still be fired for being gay, and you can be evicted from your apartment for being gay.

Thanks for asking- it's a good question.

[Red Arrow]

You're joking, right? Have you ever known a real life gay person?

Anyway, this has been stimulating conversation, but I'm off to the Holiday Bowl to watch Arizona kick Nebraska's behind.

Yup, contrary to popular belief gays do watch football- and not just for the tight pants (although that is an added bonus).

Maybe it just doesn't get the publicity but I don't remember gay activists campaigning for women's rights in the Middle East, US energy independence, balanced budget, traffic safety, light rail in Tulsa and so on as the gay community.  I certainly won't exclude gay individuals from having championed these and other issues.  The only thing I remember the gay community fighting for as the gay community is gay rights.  To me that makes the gay community a special interest (gay rights) group.  Nowhere did I say that was wrong.

I cannot think of anyone I know well as being openly gay.  Most of my activities don't require a sexual preference.  I am sure that I have been associated with gay people in the past and possibly now.  I just don't care.

Edit: Watch all the sports you want for whatever reason you want.  FWIW, I don't generally watch sports.  I was athletically challenged as a kid and never developed an interest in competitive athletic endeavors.  I was always near the last kid chosen in gym class for "the team".   I was too small for football, couldn't hit or catch (depth perception) a baseball, and too slow for track.

[we vs us]

Why should either party consider the gay community anything other than another special interest group?

Aside from the realpolitik of wanting to keep existing coalitions together, expanding civil rights speaks to some of the core ideas of the modern Democratic Party.  Whether or not the D leadership can actually show one of its constituencies the love still remains to be seen, but it's still more D than R, IMO.

So, yes, as a practical matter, it is a group with a special interest (itself) but a carefully concealed truth of American politics is that we are nothing BUT special interest groups.  even Old White Guys Who Run The Illuminati are a special interest group.  

[TURobY]

What rights aside from government-sanctioned marriage are not afforded to people based on sexual orientation?  I'm not asking to be an donkey, I'm curious in what other areas the gay community feels in this day and age where they are not treated equal by the government.

I would like to know that my job is safe, despite my sexual orientation (much like the protection provided to racial and religious minorities). I would like to know that I have the right to adopt a child without added scrutiny. Those are my two biggest concerns, following being able to be married and the legal rights that accompany it.

[Townsend]

I am sure that I have been associated with gay people in the past and possibly now.  I just don't care.

It's too bad others don't think that way.

[Red Arrow]

It's too bad others don't think that way.

I'm glad you took that the way I intended it.  After I posted it I thought maybe someone would take offense.

[Townsend]

I'm glad you took that the way I intended it.  After I posted it I thought maybe someone would take offense.

Nah, I'd think most would understand it.

It shouldn't matter at all.  It matters to some because they are told it should matter to them.

[Conan71]

Well, with marriage comes a whole slew of different rights like hospital visits, inheritance rights, tax breaks, etc.

But other rights would include being able to openly serve in our nation's military, equal rights in the workplace, being able to adopt children, housing security, among others. Pretty much things most straight people take for granted.

Currently in many states (including Oklahoma) you can still be fired for being gay, and you can be evicted from your apartment for being gay.

Thanks for asking- it's a good question.

Well, if you really want the pain and suffering that comes with marriage, be my guest 

In this day and age, there's no better chance of a gay person being fired or evicted for being gay than there is for someone being black, white, female, or Hispanic to get fired for their gender, color, or ethnic background.  It's not to say that may not be an individual underlying bigoted issue for someone to get fired or evicted, but it would never pass muster in a court of law.  With a few exceptions of trying to work somewhere like Rhema, ORU, or a fundie church (why would you want to if you were gay?) I really don't see the restrictions anywhere for a gay person.  Why make it an issue at work in the first place?  I've never made my heterosexuality an issue at any job I've ever had.

There are cases of gay adoption I've heard of, yes it might be slightly more problematic, but gays are not restricted from it as couples or individuals, that I am aware of. 

There's no penalty on property rights so long as two individuals wish to jointly buy a property and have the proper down payment and credit.  I know a lesbian couple quite well who legally jointly own a very nice house in south Tulsa.  There's nothing in the laws to keep that from happening today. 

If I were married and my spouse had crappy credit, guess what? I'd have to be the sole owner of the house and sole signee on the mortgage. 

You may be correct that there is not specific language on the books in Oklahoma specifically protecting jobs based on sexual orientation, but I am not aware of any laws specifically stating you can be fired or evicted for being gay.

Depending on the tax bracket, it's more costly tax-wise to be married.  Obama's tax proposed tax increases don't help either. I can see the benefit to pension rights Social Security survivor benefits and things along those lines.  If it's an inheritance issue, all one needs is a holographic will.