Non-liberal hippie gay guy hoping to join a fraternity...

[DTD Alum]

Originally Posted by DrPhil

I too am an Independent. Marginalization is coming from all sides. Not just the Republican side, not just the Democrat side, and not just those other sides. Marginalization wouldn't exist and persist if it was mainly about Republicans.

Marginalization certainly exists from all sides, but due to our partisan system, politicians tend to align themselves to party lines whether they believe in them or not. The Republican party line about homosexuality is fairly grim, with almost universal support for not allowing gay marriage, as well as plenty of politicians who were against the repeal of DADT. The Democratic party line is infinitely more accepting. Now whether that's genuine or not on the part of each politician is up in the air, of course.

I don't have an issue with gay people voting for a Republican candidate, but something about purposefully saying you are with the party seems to support you are with the party line, which seems to say that you are against allowing yourself to marry or serve in the army. This is especially the case since homosexual issues are such a political hot button right now, and virtually all politicians have a clear stance.

Although I agree, it's likely that the alignment with the Republican party (read: not individual Republican politicians) is a further way of showing "Look how gay we aren't! We're practically like you!" Not that that's good or a positive thing, especially since many eventually realize they are just being used as poster children and token members, and not truly accepted.

[PiKA2001]

Originally Posted by Munchkin03

I wouldn't be surprised if part of the OP's MO about this is that if he's a Republican, then it really shows how "different," "better," or "much more moral" he is than those scarf-wearing, Lady GaGa-loving gays who flock to the Democratic Party.. I've seen a number of Black Republicans do the same thing. "See, I'm not like them! I'm moral! I'm a Republican!!!!"

Originally Posted by DrPhil

Good point. I agree. Theyeth dotheth protesteth tooth mucheth and are as dumb as people who affiliate with political parties only because "that's what minorities do." You need to know and understand what you are affiliating with based on the info that we laypersons have access to.

Originally Posted by DTD Alum

Marginalization certainly exists from all sides, but due to our partisan system, politicians tend to align themselves to party lines whether they believe in them or not. The Republican party line about homosexuality is fairly grim, with almost universal support for not allowing gay marriage, as well as plenty of politicians who were against the repeal of DADT. The Democratic party line is infinitely more accepting. Now whether that's genuine or not on the part of each politician is up in the air, of course.

I don't have an issue with gay people voting for a Republican candidate, but something about purposefully saying you are with the party seems to support you are with the party line, which seems to say that you are against allowing yourself to marry or serve in the army. This is especially the case since homosexual issues are such a political hot button right now, and virtually all politicians have a clear stance.

Although I agree, it's likely that the alignment with the Republican party (read: not individual Republican politicians) is a further way of showing "Look how gay we aren't! We're practically like you!" Not that that's good or a positive thing, especially since many eventually realize they are just being used as poster children and token members, and not truly accepted.

Hmm, interesting points but someone being gay and in the republican party shouldn't be surprising or troubling. I think it might be a case of being sick of and kicking back from the stereotype. I can't tell you all how many times I've heard minorities say/write on the radio/internet " No self respecting (fill-in-th-blank) should ever vote Republican." I have an old friend who is a staunch conservative, works for a GOP Senator, and is gay. AFAIK the Log Cabin Republican's (Gay repub group) have had quite the role in getting rid of DADT. No political party is a perfect match and every time you vote you have to pick the lesser of two evils. I actually think if the GOP focuses more on smaller gov and fiscal conservatism and leaves the "morals" at home they would attract a lot more gay voters, but nah...I don't see that happening any time soon.

-Sorry if this post makes no sense, I'm suffering from a really crappy cold and can barely type straight.

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by PiKA2001

Hmm, interesting points but someone being gay and in the republican party shouldn't be surprising or troubling.

DTD Alum was saying something different than what Munchkin and I were saying.

[PiKA2001]

Originally Posted by DrPhil

DTD Alum was saying something different than what Munchkin and I were saying.

What, I can't think that all of you guys brought up interesting points?

But you and M's points were better and more on point.....better?

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by PiKA2001

What, I can't think that all of you guys brought up interesting points?

Of course as long as you know we were saying different things.

[LXA SE285]

I do feel bad for the OP - he is going to get greeted with a chorus of "Poker Face" at every party he walks into.

You're terrible, Muriel.

[33girl]

I am a member of the Republican party because my parents were, and because my state doesn't allow independents to vote in primary elections.

The "party line" has been shoved into place by a very vocal minority of the party. Many Republicans don't give a shit about gay marriage, abortion or any of the other hot button issues that the ultraconservative right wing of the party jumps on - or if they do give a shit, they are on the opposing side. They are Republicans because they agree with the fiscal side of what being a Republican has HISTORICALLY meant.

Don't be condescending and "sad" for someone because you think their choice of political party makes them self-hating.

[Munchkin03]

Originally Posted by 33girl

Don't be condescending and "sad" for someone because you think their choice of political party makes them self-hating.

Oh, I'm not. I see a bit of self-hating in the OP regardless of political leaning. He's obviously trying to set himself apart from other gays and possibly using his membership in the Republican Party as part of that. He resorted to stereotypes of gay men. The gay Republicans I know aren't self-hating, and I don't feel sad for them at all.

Originally Posted by MysticCat

While that certainly could be going on, it could also just be that he grew up in a Republican family and/or naturally aligns with a more fiscally-conservative, smaller government, pro-business point of political view.

It could be, but if that were the case, he wouldn't have gone on about how he's not like those other gays. It sounds like he may have thrown the Republican thing in there to emphasize how different he is.

[33girl]

Originally Posted by Munchkin03

Oh, I'm not. I see a bit of self-hating in the OP regardless of political leaning. He's obviously trying to set himself apart from other gays and possibly using his membership in the Republican Party as part of that. He resorted to stereotypes of gay men. The gay Republicans I know aren't self-hating, and I don't feel sad for them at all.

I didn't mean you with that comment, I meant DTD Alum. You more than likely hit the nail right on the head.

I do feel bad for the OP - he is going to get greeted with a chorus of "Poker Face" at every party he walks into.

[PiKA2001]

Originally Posted by 33girl

I didn't mean you with that comment, I meant DTD Alum. You more than likely hit the nail right on the head.

I do feel bad for the OP - he is going to get greeted with a chorus of "Poker Face" at every party he walks into.

So does that mean Lady GaGa has dethroned Cher?