Gay Group Protest Palin Pick

[4sarge]

Gay Groups Protest Palin Pick


Quote:
Gay Groups Protest Palin Pick
By Carlos Santoscoy
September 07, 2008

Gay groups are asking questions – and finding answers – about Republican presidential nominee John McCain's VP choice, Alaskan Governor Sarah Palin. Most are unhappy with their findings.

The number two choice is carefully analyzed by the campaign to ensure maximum benefit to their ticket. In the case of Palin, McCain operatives are betting on her conservative record and Christian background to increase the ticket's appeal to Christian conservative voters.

And that plan appears to be working, conservative Republicans in general appear to be euphoric with the choice.

“I think Sarah Palin is the smartest thing that John McCain has done. She has revitalized the grass roots of the Republican Party across the board, all segments,” conservative Eagle Forum President Phyllis Schlafly told the Chicago Sun-Times.

Gay groups, however, are troubled by Palin, calling her anti-gay record “frightening.”

Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the nation's largest gay rights group, posted a blog entry on their website critical of Palin's gay positions. HRC pointed to answers Palin provided to the Alaska Eagle Forum's 2006 gubernatorial questionnaire, where she said that she did not support hate crimes laws, spousal benefits for gay couples, and that one of her top family priorities would be “preserving the definition of 'marriage' as defined in our constitution.” In 1998 the voters of Alaska passed a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage in the state.

“Most Americans support treating our LGBT loved ones and neighbors with respect, and support their full inclusion into our nation experience,” said Steve Ralls, communications director for pro-gay group Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG), of Palin's equality record. “From Anchorage to Albany, and everywhere in between, there are real families who fell the real impact of policies that leave the LGBT community behind.”

Palin has also been linked to several anti-gay groups.

She and anti-gay Congresswoman Michele Bachmann (R-MN) were recently honored at a Republican National Convention event, which was sponsored in part by long-time gay-rights opponent, and Eagle Forum president, Phyllis Schlafly.

Concern has also been expressed over Palin's involvement with – or knowledge of – her church's promotion of an ex-gay conference scheduled in Anchorage next week.

An insert in the bulletin of the Wassilla Bible Church, where Palin has prayed for about six years, says, “You'll be encouraged by the power of God's love and His desire to transform the lives of those impacted by homosexuality,” according to a The Associated Press report.

The conference, called Love Won Out, is being organized by James Dobson's conservative Christian organization Focus on the Family. The group says they help people overcome unwanted same-sex attractions through religious means, including group discussions, counseling, Bible reading and prayer.

“We are deeply concerned that Sarah Palin may share the extreme and medically unsound view that gay and lesbian people can and should be cured,” said Wayne Besen, executive director of Truth Wins Outs, a gay group that advocates against ex-gay ministries. “We call on Palin to express her views on this issue so we have a clear idea on where she stands. We hope this is an area where she disagrees with her church.”

HRC President Joe Solmonese had harsher words for the governor: “Sarah Palin is against recognizing our relationships, against domestic partner benefits, and against hate crimes laws. ... The more we find out about her record, the more frightening her record becomes.”
Source: http://www.ontopmag.com/article.aspx...=1&Category=25

[JcJ]

[haldir]

I had a post in mind and erased it as I don't know if we have any gay members and probably should avoid hurting their feelings (.... I'm not going to say it.... I'm not.... oh heck I can't help it.... you know how sensitive they are).

Gotta say, the more I hear about her the more I like her.

[BloodEclipse]

The more we find out about her record, the more frightening her record becomes

I just had to laugh

Is the LGBT community Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals and Transsexuals?

What I like most about Palin is how she has incited so much rancor from the liberals.

[Bill of Rights]

Live and let live. I don't care if they want to get married, it doesn't improve or diminish my marriage in the slightest either way. That said, as I posted elsewhere, "don't get behind me."

I do seem to recall reading that while she does not support gay marriage, she did make efforts to give state benefits to gay employees. Hardly someone they need to worry about.

Blessings,
B

[NateIU10]

Originally Posted by Bill of Rights

Live and let live. I don't care if they want to get married, it doesn't improve or diminish my marriage in the slightest either way. That said, as I posted elsewhere, "don't get behind me."

Blessings,
B

+1 on that. How is it a politician's job to pass their sense of morality on to other people? Sin this, eternal damnation that...If you really think they'll burn, then let them, but don't force your ideals upon others. But this is only one of the social issues I don't quite agree with the GOP base on...

[haldir]

Nate, keep in mind that it isn't the Republican pols that are wanting to change the laws to satisfy their sense of religion or morality. They simply don't believe we should change our laws to satisfy a few other people that violates the religious and moral values of most of their constituents. To me there is a big difference.

[Emodude]

I dont see what the big deal is, why cant people just mind there own business and let others do whatever they want, you take the people that go on about all the issues and want to know pry into other peoples business and disagree with they way they live their life but when you try to ask them questions about them self's they get all upset.. When did the world become a bunch of candy asses that feel that everyone should live the way they live and they think that they have the right to tell people what to do.. Just upsets me that people dont mind their own business anymore

[Justus]

While I don't agree with the lifestyle,
I don't care if they get married either.
I just want to know which churches are doing the
ceremonies so I can stay clear of that denomination.


I have a feeling this issue is clearing the way for more
discrimination and "hate-type" lawsuits aimed at churches
and/or pastors.
I don't see any other reason for it.

Most states are beginning to recognize the non-marriage "union" and
grant the same benefits as a conventional marriage.

[4sarge]

Originally Posted by Emodude

I dont see what the big deal is, why cant people just mind there own business and let others do whatever they want, you take the people that go on about all the issues and want to know pry into other peoples business and disagree with they way they live their life but when you try to ask them questions about them self's they get all upset.. When did the world become a bunch of candy asses that feel that everyone should live the way they live and they think that they have the right to tell people what to do.. Just upsets me that people dont mind their own business anymore

and there in lies the problem The vocal LGBT activist want to flaunt it in your face. I really do not care who or what you are sleeping with but do not stick it in my face, force elementary age children to learn about the lifestyle, etc. The divorce courts are full now; adding same sex marriages to the law only adds money to the pockets of the lawyers and further clogs the overburdened civil court docket. Where do we draw the line? American Culture and Values have been under a constant attack by the Progressive Liberals until it's hard to recognize anything American. Holiday Season instead of Christmas, etc. The line must be drawn somewhere.