I have often wondered why any gay man or lesbian would vote Republican in the current political climate and I think I may have discovered the answer. I believe they are suffering from Battered Women's Syndrome. I will explain more after the flip.
On a beautiful Sunday two weeks ago I was attending the Queens Pride Celebration in the NYC borough of Queens. Tucked away at the end of the street festival was a booth for the Log Cabin Republicans. I decided to go over and see why they were there. As I approached the booth I was asked to sign up for equality. I told them that it was their party that was trying so hard to stop our equality. They told me that was not true and that I did not understand their party's position on gay issues. This was the day before the vote on the Gay Marriage Amendment and I was very well informed of the issue and those supporting it. I told them that it was their party that was pushing this amendment. I was told that Democrats would vote for it and I told them that yes one had pledged support and that Nelson should become a Republican. They seemed a bit stunned that I knew exactly who and who did not support this vial piece of legislation. I asked them how they could support a party that makes them an issue. I told them that being Gay and Republican was the same as being a Jewish Nazi. I was told that was a stretch but I held my ground as they continued to defend the very party that does not want them. I went issue by issue and told them their party's anti-gay stance. Each time another excuse and the old catch phrase "We can't change the party if we are not part of it". I told them that raising contributions to elect people that will curtail their civil rights is about as stupid as anything I had ever heard of. I also told them that will never be invited into the party. I asked how many times does the door need to be slammed in your face before you realize your teeth are gone. It was at this point that I realized they may be suffering from Battered Women's Syndrome. My mother was a counselor for a battered women's shelter and would always tell us stories of women who had been beaten again and again that would defend their husbands and basically say they deserved what he did to them and that they did not want to lose him. I believe a certain percentage of the Gay population has a self loathing that they can not get past and they are trying to gain acceptance from the ones who hate them most. You see gaining acceptance from those that hate you most is usually an unattainable goal and just reinforces your own self loathing. After the Log Cabin Republican's constant defense of those that would seek to discriminate against them it became obvious that they needed help and now I think I know why. At first I was angry at them now I just pity them.