rrizzo@bbncca.ARPA (Ron Rizzo) (10/27/84)
The following is a blatant attempt to influence how you vote on November 6th. It's addressed to all voters who think they may vote for Reagan, but especially to closet Republicans, [Ll]ibertarians, and gay people. (The views expressed herein are my own, & not those of my employer.) PART THREE Reaganite fagbaiting is extremely ironic: the GOP probably has many more gay (tho' closeted) staffers at higher rank & in more influential positions than the Democratic Party (including possibly one of the New Right's top leaders). Remember ex-Representative Bauman of Maryland, who was staunchly New Right, & cosponsored the Family Protection Act? He lost office after being arrested for sex with a male minor. (He says now he's a gay liberationist.) Nationally syndicated gay congressional correspondent Larry Bush provided a detailed look at this incredible hypocrisy in his Village Voice article "The Gay GOP" (6/26/84, pp. 19-22): Reagan's opposition to the Briggs Initiative created an "afterglow" among GOP gays that carried into 1981 when the White House sent out "feelers" to "some gays...asking for issues he might use to speak against prejudice" (p. 20). Also, Reagan has been quoted more than once as being "opposed to discrimination in any form"; his aides thought his appointment of Justice O'Connor settled any doubts about his fairness toward minorities (19,20). There WERE interesting developments across the country in the GOP: ex-LA sheriff Ed Davis, a brutal homophobe when he headed the LAPD, was "one of a handful of Republican legislators who voted for a California gay civil rights bill" (20). Openly gay men have run (& 2 of 3 won) for GOP & public positions in Iowa, D.C., & Louisiana. "Gay Republican clubs are spring- ing up across the country as fast or faster than gay Democratic clubs" (20). Yet to the growing despair of GOP gays, nothing has resulted: Reagan still courts the homophobic right; he & his appointees publically oppose legisla- tion that would make life at least a little easier for gay Americans (never- mind civil rights legislation) by fatuously invoking "family values"; & the White House & its health bureaucrats have consistently displayed murderous indifference toward, & even resentment of, the AIDS crisis (including Sec- retary Heckler, who's had a much better press than she deserves). I will provide examples & quotes for all the above in future postings. When Larry Bush wrote his article, GOP gays were pushing to demand that Reagan separate himself from New Right homophobia, planning some sort of statement at the Convention. I've heard nothing nor seen signs in the Reagan/Bush campaign that anything was accomplished. CONTINUED: MORE DIRT SOON Cheers, Ron Rizzo "Why, dahling! The Left is what's left over, the Right is what's wrong, & the Middle-Of-The-Road is no place for a lady." -- Electra Collage, Miss Ballot-box of 1947 Washington, AC/DC
thill@ssc-bee.UUCP (Tom Hill) (10/29/84)
> CONTINUED: MORE DIRT SOON
This is exactly why the Democrats won't win. All you guys do is
complain about the present administration without giving the
nation a realistic alternative. Fritz for President? Get serious...
Tom Hill