TransGriot Note: Received this press release from Jerame Davis of the Stonewall Democrats calling out the Log Cabin Republicans attempt to misrepresent the rainbow community concerning their 2012 platform.
Gay Republicans Mislead LGBT Americans on GOP Platform
Gay
Republicans are touting new language in the GOP platform as being a step
forward for LGBT equality and as evidence the Republican Party is
moderating on LGBT issues. The specific text reads, "We embrace the
principle that all Americans have the right to be treated with dignity
and respect." National Stonewall Democrats Executive Director, Jerame
Davis, responds:
"The idea
that this generic bit of meaningless rhetoric is movement by the GOP
toward a more inclusive and pro-equality footing is preposterous. For
decades, the Republican platform has included anti-LGBT language that,
at various times, has opposed adoption rights, marriage equality, and
the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell.
"What's
even more ridiculous is the idea that this language is something new.
The Republican Party platform has included similar language since at
least 1996. This is just a rewording of a generic principle that few
Republicans would construe to include LGBT equality. While the GOP gives
lip service to the principle of dignity and respect for all, the reality of that ideal clearly escapes them.
"The real
message to read in this is that the GOP's cognitive dissonance
continues unabated and the apologists at Log Cabin Republicans are still
selling snake oil and calling it progress."
Below are
examples of similar passages from past GOP platforms, by year, and the
anti-LGBT language contained in those same documents:
1996:
"Because
we are all one America, we oppose discrimination. We believe in the
equality of all people before the law and that individuals should be
judged by their ability rather than their race, creed, or disability."
Anti-LGBT Rhetoric
"We
oppose Bill Clinton's assault on the culture and traditions of the Armed
Forces, especially his attempt to lift the ban on homosexuals in the
military. We affirm that homosexuality is incompatible with military
service."
"We
reject the distortion of those laws to cover sexual preference, and we
endorse the Defense of Marriage Act to prevent states from being forced
to recognize same-sex unions."
"They
passed the Defense of Marriage Act, which defines 'marriage' for
purposes of federal law as the legal union of one man and one woman and
prevents federal judges and bureaucrats from forcing states to recognize
other living arrangements as "marriages.""
2000:
"Since
the election of 1860, the Republican Party has had a special calling —
to advance the founding principles of freedom and limited government and
the dignity and worth of every individual."
Anti-LGBT Rhetoric
"We affirm that homosexuality is incompatible with military service."
"We
support the traditional definition of 'marriage' as the legal union of
one man and one woman, and we believe that federal judges and
bureaucrats should not force states to recognize other living
arrangements as marriages. We rely on the home, as did the founders of
the American Republic, to instill the virtues that sustain democracy
itself. That belief led Congress to enact the Defense of Marriage Act,
which a Republican Department of Justice will energetically defend in
the courts. For the same reason, we do not believe sexual preference
should be given special legal protection or standing in law."
2004:
"Every
day, we strive to fulfill Lincoln's vision: a country united and free,
in which all people are guaranteed equal rights and the opportunity to
pursue their dreams."
Anti-LGBT Rhetoric
"We affirm traditional military culture, and we affirm that homosexuality is incompatible with military service."
"We support the appointment of judges who respect traditional family values and the sanctity of innocent human life."
"The
sound principle of judicial review has turned into an intolerable
presumption of judicial supremacy. A Republican Congress, working with a
Republican president, will restore the separation of powers and
re-establish a government of law. There are different ways to achieve
that goal, such as using Article III of the Constitution to limit
federal court jurisdiction; for example, in instances where judges are
abusing their power by banning the use of 'under God' in the Pledge of
Allegiance or prohibiting depictions of the Ten Commandments, and
potential actions invalidating the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA)."
"Attempts
to redefine marriage in a single state or city could have serious
consequences throughout the country, and anything less than a
Constitutional amendment, passed by the Congress and ratified by the
states, is vulnerable to being overturned by activist judges. On a
matter of such importance, the voice of the people must be heard. The
Constitutional amendment process guarantees that the final decision will
rest with the American people and their elected representatives.
President Bush will also vigorously defend the Defense of Marriage Act,
which was supported by both parties and passed by 85 votes in the
Senate. This common sense law reaffirms the right of states not to
recognize same-sex marriages licensed in other states.
"President
Bush said, 'We will not stand for judges who undermine democracy by
legislating from the bench and try to remake America by court order.'
The Republican House of Representatives has responded to this challenge
by passing H.R. 3313, a bill to withdraw jurisdiction from the federal
courts over the Defense of Marriage Act. We urge Congress to use its
Article III power to enact this into law, so that activist federal
judges cannot force 49 other states to approve and recognize
Massachusetts' attempt to redefine marriage."
2008:
"We offer
it to our fellow Americans in the assurance that our Republican ideals
are those that unify our country: Courage in the face of foreign foes.
An optimistic patriotism, driven by a passion for freedom. Devotion to
the inherent dignity and rights of every person."
Anti-LGBT Rhetoric
"To
protect our servicemen and women and ensure that America's Armed Forces
remain the best in the world, we affirm the timelessness of those
values, the benefits of traditional military culture, and the
incompatibility of homosexuality with military service."
"We
lament that judges have denied the people their right to set abortion
policies in the states and are undermining traditional marriage laws
from coast to coast."
"Preserving Traditional Marriage
"Because
our children's future is best preserved within the traditional
understanding of marriage, we call for a constitutional amendment that
fully protects marriage as a union of a man and a woman, so that judges
cannot make other arrangements equivalent to it. In the absence of a
national amendment, we support the right of the people of the various
states to affirm traditional marriage through state initiatives.
"Republicans
recognize the importance of having in the home a father and a mother
who are married. The two-parent family still provides the best
environment of stability, discipline, responsibility, and character.
Children in homes without fathers are more likely to commit a crime,
drop out of school, become violent, become teen parents, use illegal
drugs, become mired in poverty, or have emotional or behavioral
problems. We support the courageous efforts of single-parent families to
provide a stable home for their children. Children are our nation's
most precious resource. We also salute and support the efforts of foster
and adoptive families.
"Republicans
have been at the forefront of protecting traditional marriage laws,
both in the states and in Congress. A Republican Congress enacted the
Defense of Marriage Act, affirming the right of states not to recognize
same-sex 'marriages' licensed in other states. Unbelievably, the
Democratic Party has now pledged to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act,
which would subject every state to the redefinition of marriage by a
judge without ever allowing the people to vote on the matter. We also
urge Congress to use its Article III, Section 2 power to prevent
activist federal judges from imposing upon the rest of the nation the
judicial activism in Massachusetts and California. We also encourage
states to review their marriage and divorce laws in order to strengthen
marriage.
"As the family is our basic unit of society, we oppose initiatives to erode parental rights."
###
National
Stonewall Democrats is the national voice of lesbian, gay, bisexual,
transgender and allied Democrats, with more than 80 local affiliates
across the nation. Stonewall Democrats works to elect more pro-equality
Democrats regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity -
and to improve the Democratic Party on issues important to LGBT
Democrats.
I leave here with tools to make me a better activist communications wise, being able to connect faces with the names of some of the people I have communicated with at GLAAD and seeing firsthand how hard they work to improve the media images of people of color. The bonus was leaving here with a few more friends than I had when I arrived. 
