Alonzo
03-28-2008, 07:11 PM
Like many Republicans, Rob Schlein advocates low taxes, limited government and a robust national defense.
But as president of the Dallas Log Cabin Republicans, an organization representing the area's gay GOP faithful, he's aghast at language contained in the Texas Republican Party platform that he considers patently homophobic. And beginning next week, he says, his organization will attempt to change it.
The platform, passed by the state GOP in 2006, states: “Homosexual behavior is contrary to the fundamental, unchanging truths that have been ordained by God, recognized by our country's founders, and shared by the majority of Texans. Homosexuality must not be presented as an acceptable 'alternative' lifestyle in our public education and policy, nor should 'family' be redefined to include homosexual 'couples.'."
The platform further states that gays should be disqualified from military service, sodomy should be criminalized and “no homosexual or any individual convicted of child abuse or molestation should have the right to custody or adoption of a minor child."
Says Mr. Schlein, "This just gives Democrats a reason to say to gays, 'Hey, these Republicans really hate you.'."
The Log Cabin Republicans' attempt to amend the Texas Republican Party Platform — a 31-page document articulating the official stance on a variety of issues — begins Tuesday, when the party conducts "precinct conventions" at primary election voting stations after polls have closed.
Here, attendees may propose amendments to the party platform, which, upon receiving enough support, would be considered at intermediate state Senate district conventions on March 29, and perhaps at the state GOP convention beginning June 12 in Houston.
Mike Walz, executive director of the Dallas County Republican Party, figures the Log Cabin Republican's odds of amending the platform are long.
"This is a party where there are a lot of [family] value voters and a lot of Christian conservatives. It would be extremely hard for anyone to try to change the platform of the Republican Party of Texas as it pertains to homosexuality," Mr. Walz said. "We certainly welcome different opinion. But there is a strong feeling this language reflects where the party is."
Indeed, interviews with several members of the Texas Republican Executive Committee indicate there's little interest among top party officials to change the party platform's language on homosexuality.
"I support the language as it's written. The vast majority of Republicans feel the same way," said Mandy TschoepeÖ, an executive committee member from Plano.
"It's a pretty set deal as far as Republicans in Texas are concerned," said Jane Burch, an executive committee member from Grand Prairie.
Such sentiment isn't dissuading Dallas' Log Cabin Republicans' membership, however, who say the state GOP must change its rhetoric on homosexuality or risk losing voter support.
"The platform language is a very old-fashioned, outmoded notion. It's purely mean-spirited," said Robert Rosenberg, a Dallas Log Cabin Republicans board member.
Mr. Schlein noted that a number of Republicans and nonpartisan conservatives have spoken before the Dallas Log Cabin Republicans in recent months, including State Sen. John Carona, Dallas Mayor Tom Leppert, Dallas County Commissioner Maurine Dickey, WBAP-AM 820 radio host and Dallas Morning News columnist Mark Davis and a field director for U.S. Senator John Cornyn.
"Most Texas Republicans don't totally believe in what's in the platform," Mr. Schlein said. "There's just a very loud minority that's been able to keep that language in there. We just want to take the opportunity we have to try to get the language out or limit some of it."
If not, area Democrats will simply use the GOP platform language as a recruitment tool, says Jesse Garcia, president of the gay rights organization Stonewall Democrats of Dallas.
"It shows the difference between the parties, that they basically see being gay as an illness, something that's against society, and that's just unforgivable," Mr. Garcia said. "But I laud the Log Cabin Republicans for their effort, and I hope they have success. It's really a shame if they don't."
At a recent appearance in Dallas, Republican U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison said she hadn't recently read the state party platform's language on homosexuality, and therefore, didn't want to comment on it.
Meanwhile, U.S. Rep. Pete Sessions, R-Dallas, has read it.
While he neither endorses nor rejects the party platform's language on homosexuality, he says he supports the Log Cabin Republicans' right to try and amend it.
"This is a living document that changes. We are not, and should not, be fearful of people with ideas … we may decide we want to change the language," Mr. Sessions said. "What's most important is our party should continue to be in an outreach mode. The Republican Party wants to be a big-tent party that wants to be open to more people."
THE TEXAS GOP AND GAYS
The Texas Republican Party Platform, passed in 2006, references homosexuality numerous times throughout its 31 pages and includes a section on the issue:
"Homosexuality: We believe that the practice of sodomy tears at the fabric of society, contributes to the breakdown of the family unit, and leads to the spread of dangerous, communicable diseases.
"Homosexual behavior is contrary to the fundamental, unchanging truths that have been ordained by God, recognized by our country's founders, and shared by the majority of Texans.
"Homosexuality must not be presented as an acceptable 'alternative' lifestyle in our public education and policy, nor should 'family' be redefined to include homosexual 'couples.'
"We are opposed to any granting of special legal entitlements, recognition, or privileges including, but not limited to, marriage between persons of the same sex, custody of children by homosexuals, homosexual partner insurance or retirement benefits.
"We oppose any criminal or civil penalties against those who oppose homosexuality out of faith, conviction, or belief in traditional values."
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/politics/state/stories/030108dnpollogcabin.bd782ca.html
This is shocking, Republicans hate homosexuals? Who knew?
I'm still waiting for the article titled "Black Confederates Express Shock at Racism in Confederate Platform". If that ever happens then I won't know what to believe anymore.
But as president of the Dallas Log Cabin Republicans, an organization representing the area's gay GOP faithful, he's aghast at language contained in the Texas Republican Party platform that he considers patently homophobic. And beginning next week, he says, his organization will attempt to change it.
The platform, passed by the state GOP in 2006, states: “Homosexual behavior is contrary to the fundamental, unchanging truths that have been ordained by God, recognized by our country's founders, and shared by the majority of Texans. Homosexuality must not be presented as an acceptable 'alternative' lifestyle in our public education and policy, nor should 'family' be redefined to include homosexual 'couples.'."
The platform further states that gays should be disqualified from military service, sodomy should be criminalized and “no homosexual or any individual convicted of child abuse or molestation should have the right to custody or adoption of a minor child."
Says Mr. Schlein, "This just gives Democrats a reason to say to gays, 'Hey, these Republicans really hate you.'."
The Log Cabin Republicans' attempt to amend the Texas Republican Party Platform — a 31-page document articulating the official stance on a variety of issues — begins Tuesday, when the party conducts "precinct conventions" at primary election voting stations after polls have closed.
Here, attendees may propose amendments to the party platform, which, upon receiving enough support, would be considered at intermediate state Senate district conventions on March 29, and perhaps at the state GOP convention beginning June 12 in Houston.
Mike Walz, executive director of the Dallas County Republican Party, figures the Log Cabin Republican's odds of amending the platform are long.
"This is a party where there are a lot of [family] value voters and a lot of Christian conservatives. It would be extremely hard for anyone to try to change the platform of the Republican Party of Texas as it pertains to homosexuality," Mr. Walz said. "We certainly welcome different opinion. But there is a strong feeling this language reflects where the party is."
Indeed, interviews with several members of the Texas Republican Executive Committee indicate there's little interest among top party officials to change the party platform's language on homosexuality.
"I support the language as it's written. The vast majority of Republicans feel the same way," said Mandy TschoepeÖ, an executive committee member from Plano.
"It's a pretty set deal as far as Republicans in Texas are concerned," said Jane Burch, an executive committee member from Grand Prairie.
Such sentiment isn't dissuading Dallas' Log Cabin Republicans' membership, however, who say the state GOP must change its rhetoric on homosexuality or risk losing voter support.
"The platform language is a very old-fashioned, outmoded notion. It's purely mean-spirited," said Robert Rosenberg, a Dallas Log Cabin Republicans board member.
Mr. Schlein noted that a number of Republicans and nonpartisan conservatives have spoken before the Dallas Log Cabin Republicans in recent months, including State Sen. John Carona, Dallas Mayor Tom Leppert, Dallas County Commissioner Maurine Dickey, WBAP-AM 820 radio host and Dallas Morning News columnist Mark Davis and a field director for U.S. Senator John Cornyn.
"Most Texas Republicans don't totally believe in what's in the platform," Mr. Schlein said. "There's just a very loud minority that's been able to keep that language in there. We just want to take the opportunity we have to try to get the language out or limit some of it."
If not, area Democrats will simply use the GOP platform language as a recruitment tool, says Jesse Garcia, president of the gay rights organization Stonewall Democrats of Dallas.
"It shows the difference between the parties, that they basically see being gay as an illness, something that's against society, and that's just unforgivable," Mr. Garcia said. "But I laud the Log Cabin Republicans for their effort, and I hope they have success. It's really a shame if they don't."
At a recent appearance in Dallas, Republican U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison said she hadn't recently read the state party platform's language on homosexuality, and therefore, didn't want to comment on it.
Meanwhile, U.S. Rep. Pete Sessions, R-Dallas, has read it.
While he neither endorses nor rejects the party platform's language on homosexuality, he says he supports the Log Cabin Republicans' right to try and amend it.
"This is a living document that changes. We are not, and should not, be fearful of people with ideas … we may decide we want to change the language," Mr. Sessions said. "What's most important is our party should continue to be in an outreach mode. The Republican Party wants to be a big-tent party that wants to be open to more people."
THE TEXAS GOP AND GAYS
The Texas Republican Party Platform, passed in 2006, references homosexuality numerous times throughout its 31 pages and includes a section on the issue:
"Homosexuality: We believe that the practice of sodomy tears at the fabric of society, contributes to the breakdown of the family unit, and leads to the spread of dangerous, communicable diseases.
"Homosexual behavior is contrary to the fundamental, unchanging truths that have been ordained by God, recognized by our country's founders, and shared by the majority of Texans.
"Homosexuality must not be presented as an acceptable 'alternative' lifestyle in our public education and policy, nor should 'family' be redefined to include homosexual 'couples.'
"We are opposed to any granting of special legal entitlements, recognition, or privileges including, but not limited to, marriage between persons of the same sex, custody of children by homosexuals, homosexual partner insurance or retirement benefits.
"We oppose any criminal or civil penalties against those who oppose homosexuality out of faith, conviction, or belief in traditional values."
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/politics/state/stories/030108dnpollogcabin.bd782ca.html
This is shocking, Republicans hate homosexuals? Who knew?
I'm still waiting for the article titled "Black Confederates Express Shock at Racism in Confederate Platform". If that ever happens then I won't know what to believe anymore.