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Republican governor as gay rights defender: a sign of the times?

Glinda

You kids get off my lawn!
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This is interesting...

Republican governor as gay rights defender: a sign of the times?

Gov. Bob McDonnell (R) of Virginia said Wednesday that gay state workers would be included under nondiscrimination laws – a dramatic U-turn to his previous position and that one that may offer a curt warning to Republicans to steer clear of the culture wars heading into the November election.

By making that move, the governor “is now projecting the image of reasonableness and inclusiveness,” says Larry Sabato, director of the University of Virginia’s Center for Politics. “This is not going over with the hardcore right-wing elements in the party, but it is a necessity for governing and it tells you where our society has gone. McDonnell has recognized a reality.”

During Governor McDonnell’s 2009 campaign against Democrat Creigh Deeds, one topic of controversy was his 1989 graduate thesis paper, which outlined a vision of the family. The paper said, in part, that government policy should favor married couples over “cohabitators, homosexuals, or fornicators.”

McDonnell said during his campaign that his views had evolved and that he believed in nondiscrimination against gays. Those statements were tested Feb. 5, when McDonnell issued an executive order that, unlike those issued by two previous governors, did not include specific protections for state workers who are gay. His action drew protests that grew louder with each passing day.

Hardcore rightwingers to throw McDonnell under the bus in 5... 4... 3... ;)
 
So is this because you're generalizing Republicans as pro-discrimination?

Granted he seemed to roll back the Kaine law initially, but now rescinded that move. This is now a throw McDonnell under the bus moment? Really? :confused:

Sounds like he did the right thing to me.
 
^^

I was always taught to hate the sin and not the sinner... lord knows I ain't no angel myself though I haven't considered nor do I plan on considering batting for the other team. I don't like what most other Christian's do either - doesn't mean I want to see them discriminated for it.
 
I wonder what my friend who just a few weeks back was going on about the GOP trotting out another "radically conservative, religious zealot" will refer to him as now. LOL
 
This assumption that Republicans hate gays is just stupid.

Exactly! They don't hate them, they just routinely use them as a culture war whipping post in their campaigns. ;)

The Republican Party has plenty of gays in it. Granted, very few of them are openly gay, but when you count the closeted ones, they are well represented.
 
This has less to do with republicans, and more to do with the change in society in regards to attitudes towards gays. The gay rights fight is already over, just some have not realized it yet.
 
This has less to do with republicans, and more to do with the change in society in regards to attitudes towards gays. The gay rights fight is already over, just some have not realized it yet.

Exactly. Attitudes about gays are changing at a rapid pace, most likely because people are actually becoming acquainted with gay people and see that the image perpetrated by the right-wing is a lie.

This is why attitudes towards gay marriage are also changing at a rapid pace and why gay marriage will be a reality in the near future.

You are correct. There are some who either haven't realized it or are going to cling to their bigotry and hatred to the bitter end. But the reality is, the gay rights fight is over and equality and fairness with justice for ALL will win out in the end.
 
However, the reality that the right-wing of the Republican party hates gays is accurate.

And you think that 90% of Republicans are part of the right-wing, so from your perspective, what's the difference?
 
This guy sounds pretty good for a Republican. I would vote to re-elect him if he continues to support liberties like these (if I lived in his state).
 
And you think that 90% of Republicans are part of the right-wing, so from your perspective, what's the difference?

No actually I don't. I think about 30% of Republicans compose the right-wing. They just control about 95% of the party.
 
Exactly! They don't hate them, they just routinely use them as a culture war whipping post in their campaigns. ;)

The Republican Party has plenty of gays in it. Granted, very few of them are openly gay, but when you count the closeted ones, they are well represented.

And, like the black and hispanic populations in the United States, the Leftsits use them as fodder for their campaigns, not really giving a **** about anything other than getting elected. Where are the Liberals going to be if all these problems are suddenly solved? Out in political no-man's-land, because if it weren't for identity/victim politics, the Liberals wouldn't stand a chance at the voting booth.
 
This assumption that Republicans hate gays is just stupid.
I know, I've been a male lesbian for years. :2razz: The attraction to women is overwhelming.
 
I know, I've been a male lesbian for years. :2razz: The attraction to women is overwhelming.

And you stole that line from a crossdresser! Now that's progressive of you!

I don't think republicans in general "hate' gays, but they certainly don't approve of their lifestyle and seek to block that lifestyle from being accepted. I.E. marriage rights.
 
The reason why the presumption "Republicans just hate gays" gets thrown out a lot...by liberals no less...is because gay people are yet, just seen as another electorate for the democrat party.
 
The reason why the presumption "Republicans just hate gays" gets thrown out a lot...by liberals no less...is because gay people are yet, just seen as another electorate for the democrat party.

No, maybe it's because they're being treated as second-class citizens. They're only another "democrat party" electorate because the "republic party" treats them the way they do.
 
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