BosGuy

Sometimes friends and family are surprised by my support for the Democratic Party and more specifically the Liberal base of that party, but my political views were shaped in the 80s and 90s when I was coming to grips with both my sexuality and the politics of that time.

In the mid- to late-80s I could not understand why President Ronald Reagan sat idly by while tens of thousands of quilts were being sewn in memory of those who died from AIDS. In the 90s the Christian Coalition reached the heights of its influence in the Republican Party and with leaders like Speaker Gingrich they drove through discriminatory legislation like Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) and Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell all while funding local initiatives to limit and deny gay men and women basic rights such as adoption, hospital visitation rights, etc…

No longer a kid and no longer apologizing for my sexual orientation, my disdain for the Republican Party started to turn to rage when in the 2000 Presidential election Bush returned campaign donations to The Log Cabin Republicans (a GLBT Republican group) and several high profile gay donors, because they were gay and then was applauded by the entire leadership of the Republican Party.

Obama’s win knocked the wind out of the Republican Party. But now the party is back and will likely take control of one or both of the houses in the U.S. Congress. Unfortunately, this isn’t the result of the Party moving to the center or becoming more inclusive. This comes from what I describe as an unholy alliance with the newly, rebranded Christian Conservative now called The Tea Party.

So discussions about taxes, economics, foreign or domestic policy aside – until the Republican Party defends GLBT rights and calls out the homophobic slurs their supporters seem content to regularly hurl at me and people like me, I will not consider any other alternative when I enter a voting booth. To the rest of the US who seem to be readily accepted and have representation in both parties – I say lucky you, but think of me when you’re voting because who you elect impacts me too.

Update – 10/5/2010
Earlier this month, GOP Senate leader, Tom DeMint’s told attendees at a rally that had significant media coverage he would work to deny gays the right to be in certain professions, such as teaching school.

No wonder I feel like I’m at war with this party? Insert the word Jewish, Black, Latino in place of the word “gays” and the Republican party would be distancing themselves. Sadly this is just the latest in an onslaught of weekly garbage I have to listen to. Is it any wonder gay kids are being bullied or feeling isolated. Look what the “adults” of this country are saying with impunity and often times to the cheers of thousands. You can read the full story here.

Did you know that for 6 months, Andrew Shirvell, assistant attorney general for the state of Michigan, has waged an online bullying campaign against college student Chris Armstrong, an openly gay student assembly president at U Michigan in Ann Arbor? I didn’t and I want to spread the word… I hope you will too.

CNN broadcaster, Anderson Cooper, had Shirvell on his show earlier this week and last night Cooper invited Shirvell’s boss, Michigan Attorney General Cox (a man with a history of turning a deaf ear to GLBT issues), to his show to ask why he has allowed such aggressive behavior from his assistant. Needless to say, the story is both bizarre and frightening. There’s a lot on the internet about this story – Queerty has a good posting you can read here.

I was going to read Shirvell’s blog today, but after his appearance on CNN he blocked his site. I was student council president when I was in college, and I can’t imagine what I would have done if someone did the same thing to me. I found Shirvell’s office number and have decided to post it – his work telephone no. is (517) 373-4875.

Additionally, his boss, MI AG Mike Cox office e-mail is miag@michigan.gov. I’m going to send an e-mail to Mr. Cox for what its worth. The main number for the A.G.s office in Lansing, MI is (517) 373-1110

10/1/10 UPDATE
Boy Culture Blog has posted that Michigan A.G. Mike Cox has clarified reports that Andrew Shirvell has been suspended — Note that he has not – Shirvell has taken a voluntary, paid leave of absence following months of harassing U of M student body president Chris Armstrong, whose homosexuality Shirvell literally views as a sign the younger man is ‘Satan’s emissary’.

To this I say WTF? So now Shirvell can spend 24/7 fixating on terrorizing this kid? And why shouldn’t he? No disciplinary actions are underway; he’s still receiving pay and benefits. Are you kidding me Michigan?