Log Cabin Republicans Rich Tafel's discussion of Gays and the GOP

Rich Tafel - President of Log Cabin Republicans. Rich Tafel came to Log Cabin Republicans after working for the administration of former Massachusetts Gov. William Weld (R). Between 1991 and 1993 he served as the Director of Adolescent Health Services in the Weld administration. Tafel is the founding president of the Log Cabin Republicans; he also created the national organization. A graduate of Harvard Divinity School, he was also the assistant minister for development at Harvard’s Memorial Church.

The Hill: Hi, My name is Betsy Rothstein from The Hill newspaper. Our guest today is Rich Tafel, president of the Log Cabin Republicans. Today we are discussing the relationship between the gay movement and the GOP. Rich, where does the relationship stand right now?

Rich Tafel: Pretty well right now. President Bush has moved the Party to the middle as have our governors and mayors.

Bethesda, Md.: Do you think there has been improvement in treatment of gays in this country in recent years?

Rich Tafel: Very much so. Polling shows that tolerance for gays has skyrocketed this past decade. And this is reflected in the real-life stories of gays and lesbians as well.

Rich Tafel: Not necessarily the issues that were being discussed before 9/11. However, the issues of Domestic Partnerships came into full view following the attack on the WTC. Governor Pataki (R) NY made history by extending domestiic partner status for victims.

Rich Tafel: Yes, Bush is remaking the GOP at the national level as a party of greater inclusion and tolerance. His appointment of openly gay officials and outreach to groups like ours are two good examples. He's definately changed the tone of the GOP.

Rich Tafel: Gay politics is gaining respect because it has moved from being perceived from being a radical concern to a mainstream concern. Politicians have shifted from fear of gay support to actively courting gay support. These are all indications that the gay right's movement is doing pretty well.

Washington: What role do you see the gay community playing in the 2002 elections?

Rich Tafel: I think gay Dems and Reps will target their friends for support. I think in parts of the country where the GOP has been losing ground you will see much greater efforts at inclusion. I also think there will be few if any candidates running on an anti-gay platform as their most prominent issue.

Washington: What are the top ten legislative items on the gay political agenda this year?

Rich Tafel: Gay organizations have traditionally been focused on employment discrimination,hate crimes and AIDS bills. AIDS is very well supported. I think Hate Crimes is the next most likely to pass. Outside of DC, I think the issues of gay marriage, gays in the military and gay youth will continue to be prominent.

Rich Tafel: I'd say there's about a third of the Dems who aren't very supportive of gay issues at this time. And, I'd say there's about a third of Republicans who are very supportive. I think the pro-gay numbers are increasing on both sides. Support generally falls along demographic lines with NEast and California Republcians and Democrats supportive, whereas southern states and the mid-west less so.

Peoria: Has there been any progress in the relationship between the log cabin members and the Republican leadership in the House? Rich Tafel: The Speaker has been a big plus from our perspective. Armey and Delay do work well with us. THis year Rep. Hyde praised LCR in his comments concerning an international AIDS bill. We've even worked well on certain issues with conservatives like former Congressman Coburn from OK. It is still a mixed bag.

Denver: How does it feel to know that some members of Congress won't work with you because they believe homosexuality is a sin?

Rich Tafel: Makes me feel that there is need for greater education. Frankly, their religious view is one thing but to be effective representatives they need to represent all of their people. Our job is to educate them who ALL of their people are. This is not done in a confrontational or patronizing manner.

Rich Tafel: Democrats have been fundraising in the gay community going back to the 70's. They've offered more rhetorical support than Republicans, but both sides have shied from the issue. Today, Dems see gays as a key fundraising constituency. Reps are supportive depending where in the country they are. Few are actively bashing gays anywhere today.

Great Falls: is there more support in the NE of the country as opposed to other areas? and, what kind of support, if any is there in the western, rocky mountain states?

Rich Tafel: Yes, the Northeast traditional leads trends in social issues. Many Republicans in the Rocky Mt. and Western states do have a more libertarian type Republicanism and would be more supportive of gays. Arizona, for example, has an openly gay Republican Congressman, State Rep and Mayor.

Boca Raton: What was your reaction to Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson's publicly blaming the Sept. 11 events on gays, lesbians and feminists? And do you believe they have genuinely apologized for their remarks?

Rich Tafel: I couldn't believe how dumb they were for saying it, but it didn't suprise me that that's what they believe. I think they candidly spoke their mind. I think they realized that this would hurt them in a PR way and their apologies were an attempt to end the criticism against them. I doubt it was very genuine.

London: Is there any effort to spread your message to other democracies, i.e. European countries??

Rich Tafel: There are sister groups in England called TORCH. We do get inquiries from around the world. We also get requests for support from gays struggling against more conservative governments and societies. They want to try our model of more respectful engagement as opposed to confrontation.

Arlington, Va.: Do you see the military going back to a blanket prohibition on homosexuality?

Rich Tafel: No, if anything I think there will be day when conduct is the only factor not orientation.

Rich Tafel: I generally admire his keen thinking and writing. I also admire his courage in taking on the gay establishment's desire to make our community appear a monolith, which it is not. Agree or disagree with him on any issue he's a bright writer who I like to read.

Washington, D.C.: don't you think that normal people sometimes get sick of having homosexuality thrown in our faces on TV in the movies and in the media. Does that ever occur to anyone on your side of the divide?

Rich Tafel: I think anytime the majority is asked to adjust to the minority or any group who is different. Gays say straights shove their world down their throats. Straight say the same. I think both sides could do a lot more empathic thinking about how this feels to the other. My sense is both sides are pretty selfish.

San Jose: What, if any, position, do the LCR's have regarging federal funding for family planning NGO's working overseas? Republicans, including President Bush have pushed, and have been successful at implementing the "Mexico City" language.

Rich Tafel: We don't take a position on that. I think you'd find divisions on abortion issues in LCR and even greater divisions on federal funding. However, LCR's allies in the GOP have traditionally been from the pro-choice Republicans and our opposition is more likely in the pro-life camp.

Washington : How supportive is the Bush Administration of extending health care and other benefits to gay couples? What type of education can be given to the radical right and conservative dems, that will help them understand the needs of homosexuals in the US?

Rich Tafel: This is a hot button issue that the Democrats never acted on. I think the best education now is to show the number of Fortune 500 companies who offer such benefits because it is competitive. I think if the government wants to be competive with the private sector, they will need to attract the best workers too.

Washington: Did I read correctly that you responded to a previous question that you DO work well with Delay and Armey??

Austin: Isn't it true that the Christian Right is essentially dead as a political force, even within the GOP?

Rich Tafel: The fall of Gary Bauer, Pat Buchanan and now Pat Robertson at the Christian Coalition are all signs pointing to decay. I'm not sure we can say "dead." I'm sure they will live on in certain parts of the country at the local level. My sense is that many of them have been disenchanted with their foray into aggressive politics.

Tulsa: Do you believe lawmakers are having an easier time across the board being open about their sexuality without fear that they will be judged or lose their seat as a result of being outed?

Rich Tafel: Yes, absolutely. Last week alone the Lt. Governor and Treasurer candidates in the MA GOP both announced their run for office and that they are gay.

Chicago: Do you ever plan to run for elected office? and if so, where? what seat or office?

Washington: Do you get a lot of flak from people in Washington D.C.'s gay community wondering how you can be gay and be a Republican? Or are people generally understanding about your choice to be Republican?

Rich Tafel: Republicans have often been much more tolerant of my being gay than gays of my being Republican. Yes, I get a lot of flak. The gay community is pretty intolerant of different viewpoints.

washington, d.c.: What significance do you see, if any, for the gay movement nationwide of Congress's decision to allow the District of Columbia to use its own funds to provide benefits for unmarried domestic partners of D.C. government employees?

Rich Tafel: It is very Republican to allow local communities to do as their voters have decided. I think it is also a good sign that a Republican President signed the bill. I think this is moving us in the direction of recognizing the need to cover partnerships gay or straight under the law.

washington: What politicians, of either party, do you consider most supportive of your concerns?

Rich Tafel: I'd say the most gay supporters in the country have been mayors and governors. And these have particulary been in the Northeast and California. Bill Weld the former Republican governor of MA comes to mind as no one has matched his leadership in either party to this day.

San Diego : What kinds of experiences — the good, the bad and the awkward — have you had attempting to lobby members of Congress on gay issues?

Rich Tafel: That's worthy of a book. I'd say overall I'm treated very respectfully on the Hill. There are some meembers that won't meet, but the overall reaction is generally cordial even when we don't agree.

Washington: Rich, Thank you very much for being here with us today. Is there any closing comment you would like to make here regarding how you envision gay organizations such as yours interacting with Republican politicians on Capitol Hill in the coming years?

Rich Tafel: In the not to distant future they may not be a need for organizations such as mine.. and that's a good thing.

Washington: What are the top ten legislative items on the gay political agenda this year?

I was stunned to read that from a so-called 'Republican'. Tafel seems to be following every talking point of the homosexual extremists. Hate crimes, AIDS, special employment quotas, gay marriage, homosexual soldiers, recruitment of youth ... THOSE ARE ALL PART OF THE LIBERAL GAY AGENDA.

Between 1991 and 1993 he served as the Director of Adolescent Health Services in the Weld administration

I hope this doesn't indicate what I fear.

wake up.!. the 'liberal gay agenda' has won. there aren't 2 out of 10 middle-upper people in SUV land that want to be labeled a 'conservative'. most like the term 'liberal'. the "he's too liberal" baby-talk petered out circa 1989. If you do not want same-sexers seducing your children let the enlightened socialists know that there may be some happy-gay priests 'ministering' to their little joey and hillary.

wake up.!. the 'liberal gay agenda' has won.

Not if these issues come up to a vote with the people. Even in Cali, the land of fruits and nuts, the public wholeheartedly turned down homosexual marriage with Prop 22. The gay groups always try to get this stuff passed through the back door. Out in the open, their agenda will never survive a vote. That is why their sneaky backdoor shenanigans have to be watched.

"Even in Cali, the land of fruits and nuts, the public wholeheartedly turned down homosexual marriage with Prop 22. The gay groups always try to get this stuff passed through the back door. Out in the open, their agenda will never survive a vote."

Yep...America's never been about sub-dividing folks into adversarial sub-groups...MUD

Rich Tafel: "Yes, Bush is remaking the GOP at the national level as a party of greater inclusion and tolerance. His appointment of openly gay officials and outreach to groups like ours are two good examples. He's definately changed the tone of the GOP."

To continue our discussion from another thread, I do not believe Dubyuh's changing the "tone" of the GOP as much as he's changing the "perception" of the GOP. Why the heck would any Party be openly anti-Gay?! They wouldn't...and the GOP isn't. Still, that doesn't mean we have to be pro-AnySubdivisionOfTheSheeple!!

FReegards...MUD

Frankly, their religious view is one thing but to be effective representatives they need to represent all of their people.

However, Richie, that doesn't mean that they must fall to the lowest common moral denominator.

Maybe we should try to recruit the one-third of the Democrats that he mentioned as being supportive of sexual normalcy while we get rid of the one-third of the Republicans that embrace sodomy. It would make for a better organization all around!

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