So can promoting equality for gay people be compatible with conservatism?

In discussing this I’m going to take three things as given.  And if they’re contentious, they shouldn’t be.

First, since – on the most conservative estimates – around 5 per cent of the population are attracted to the same sex, there are more than 3 million gay people in the UK and 15 million in the United States.

People often speak of gays as though we are a society apart from the rest, living in our own quarter.

And a few choose to be apart. But most of us don’t. We live in every city and town. We are businessmen and women. We run shops and stack shelves. We labour on farms and in factories. We are fire fighters and police officers. We save lives in hospitals. We fight for our countries and sometimes we die for our countries. Some of us are extraordinary, but mostly we are quietly ordinary. We are not different.  And we don’t want to be different. We’re not asking for special treatment. We are United States or British citizens. Proud of our countries. Wanting to play our part in society. And across the world there are millions of us. Millions of ordinary people. Millions of voters.

Second, we can’t be uninvented.  Being gay is not a lifestyle choice.  Our sexuality is a fact.  It may be repressed, but it cannot be changed.

Doctors don’t try to change a person’s colour. And healers or politicians shouldn’t try to change anyone’s sexuality. Whether it is given by god, or set by nature, homosexuality isn’t nurtured by doting mothers or weak fathers.

It isn’t a condition to be cured and it can’t be willed away through prayer.

Third, democracies should subscribe to a fundamental principle: that ‘all men are created equal’.

Some claim that the promotion of gay equality has no place in conservatism.  In fact, many deny that conservatives should be interested in the equality agenda at all.

It is argued that equality is incompatible with liberty … that if men are free, they are bound to become unequal.

But conservatives who want people to become better through their own efforts can never stand by while others are denied that chance.

Conservatives should always believe that everyone should have an equal chance in life, regardless of any other factors, and that they should not be discriminated against.

Herbert, who serves as the Shadow Minister for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, went on to talk about how the Conservative Party under the leadership of David Cameron has reshaped the party and made support for gay men and lesbians a part of its success.

At the last election, of our 193 MPs elected, just 17 were women, only two black or minority ethnic and two were openly gay.

If we were truly representative of the country we would have 99 women, 16 black or minority ethnic and 10 gay MPs.

So our party leadership recognised the need to change.

Change because we are a national party which needs to be able to speak to, and speak up for, all sections of society in all parts of the country.

As David Cameron said on Monday, “Unless you can represent everyone in our country you cannot be a one nation party.”

Change because we need to reconnect politics with a public who are increasingly disillusioned with a political class.

And change because it was the right thing to do – to promote an environment where people can succeed and live without fear, regardless of their gender, colour or sexuality.

We now have more female candidates, more black and minority ethnic candidates and more gay candidates.

In fact, if we secure a majority in the House of Commons of just one seat, we are likely to have more openly gay MPs on our benches than the Labour Party.

The panel also held a heated debate between prominent blogger and columnist Andrew Sullivan and Maggie Gallagher of the National Organization for Marriage.

Cheney said that the support of military leaders had convinced him that it was time for a change.

“Twenty years ago the military were strong advocates of ‘Don’t ask, don’t tell.’ I think things have change significantly since then,” Cheney said on ABC’s “This Week.”

“I think that society has moved on. It’s partly a generational question,” he continued. “When the [Joint] Chiefs come forward and say ‘we think we can do it,’ is strikes me that it’s time to reconsider the policy.”

Cheney was referring to the testimony of Admiral Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Mullen told the Senate Armed Services Committee earlier this month that it was “personal view” that repealing the law would be “the right thing to do.”

…

Two notable architects of the original DADT policy–retired Gens. Colin Powell and John Shalikashvili–also now support a repeal.

“In the almost 17 years since the ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ legislation was passed, attitudes and circumstances have changed,” Powell said in a statement following Mullen’s testimony. “I fully support the new approach presented to the Senate Armed Services Committee this week by Secretary of Defense Gates and Admiral Mullen.”

Shaliksashvili penned an op-ed for the NY Times announcing his shift in position.

“I now believe that if gay men and lesbians served openly in the United States military, they would not undermine the efficacy of the armed forces,” he wrote. “Our military has been stretched thin by our deployments in the Middle East, and we must welcome the service of any American who is willing and able to do the job.

Read more about Cheney’s call for the repeal of ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ in The Hill.

from blogcabin.net

The support comes as the Pentagon, led by Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mike Mullen, both of whom were orginally appointed by President George W. Bush, have been advocating for study and repeal of the policy.  At a hearing before the United States Senate Committee on Armed Services Committee, Gates announced that he was appointing General Carter Ham, comander of Army forces in Europe, and  Jeh Johnson, the Pentagon’s general counsel, to study a possible repeal and logistics for implementation. Johnson and Ham have indicated that they would deliver its first recommendations by mid-March.

The percentage of Americans who say they support gays openly serving is the same as a Post-ABC News poll found in July 2008; both are far above the 44 percent who said so in May 1993. In the new poll, majorities across party lines favor such a policy, with support among Democrats (82 percent) and independents (77 percent) higher than among Republicans (64 percent).

The poll also reveals several sharp demographic divides. Men (65 percent) and seniors (69 percent) are far less likely than are women (84 percent) and young adults (81 percent under age 30) to say that gays should be allowed to serve if they have disclosed their sexual orientation. Knowing a gay person makes a big difference: Among those who say they have a gay friend or family member, 81 percent support allowing gay people to serve openly, compared with 66 percent who say they do not know someone who is gay.

With significant support among Republicans and self-identified conservatives, opportunities to repeal the legislation before the end of the calendar year remain strong.

from blogcabin.net

When: Tuesday, February 9, 2010 7pm-10pm

Where: The Independent - 3001 Hennepin Ave, Minneapolis

Please join us for a recap of our 2009 activities and progress (including our meetings with Governor Pawlenty) and learn about our exciting plans for 2010. Victor Gomez, Republican Party of Minnesota Director of Outreach and Coalitions, is our guest speaker for the evening. Food will be served. Cocktails will be consumed. Everyone is welcome. Come learn what we are all about!

(WASHINGTON, DC) – In response to the testimony by Secretary of Defense Robert Gates and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Mike Mullen before the United States Senate Armed Services Committee, Log Cabin Republicans issued the flowing statement:

“The sentiment and personal conviction displayed by Secretary Gates and Admiral Mullen show the finest commitment to honor and duty to our country’s armed forces and the purpose it serves to protect. Log Cabin Republicans is grateful to these men for providing such committed and dedicated testimony that the military is truly ready to take a stand against the ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ policy - one of last forms of state-sanctioned discrimination,” stated Log Cabin Republicans Board of Directors Chairman Terry Hamilton. “To any Republicans who are sitting on the side-lines waiting for the military command to weigh-in – you now have your answer,” concluded Hamilton.

In response to Republican criticism of testimony provided by Secretary Gates and Admiral Mullen, and a proposed repeal of the ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ policy, Log Cabin Republicans National Spokesperson Charles T. Moran comments:

“Since this policy was instituted, roughly 13,500 gay and lesbian servicemembers have been discharged, and nearly 800 were in critical positions. This policy has cost US taxpayers over $350 million. Anybody who thinks this policy has worked ‘just fine’ clearly needs to get his or her head checked. Recent polls have shown that Seventy-five percent of servicemembers would have no problem serving alongside a fellow soldier that is gay,” stated Moran. “True conservatives understand that the defense of our nation and ensuring our freedom and liberty comes before any kind of personal hang-ups over sexual orientation. Our men and women in uniform understand that, hopefully so will Congressional Republicans after hearing Secretary Gates and Admiral Mullen’s testimony.”

While Log Cabin Republicans applauds and honors the sentiment and dedication that both Secretary Gates and Admiral Mullen – both originally appointed by Republican administrations – have towards dismantling discrimination against gays and lesbians in the military, the final decision will clearly be political one determined by Congress. To that end, Log Cabin Republicans will still continue to press forward with its legal challenge to the failed ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ policy.

Currently, Log Cabin Republicans vs. The United States of America, is the only direct challenge to the ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ policy. It is also the only contemporary legal challenge to this policy to succeed at the district court level. One of the injured parties named in the case, Alexander Nicholson, is a former U.S. Army Human Intelligence Collector who fluent in multiple languages, including Arabic, and who was discharged under the ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ law just six months after 9/11. Another injured party in the case, listed simply as ‘John Doe,’ currently serves in the Armed Forces and would face a discharge if his identity were revealed.

###

February 1, 2010

(Washington, DC) - In advance of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee hearing tomorrow on the legislative efforts to repeal the ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ policy with expected testimony from U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates and Admiral Mike Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Log Cabin Republicans issued the following statement:

“As this country remains committed to a strong national defense, now is the time for the President and Congress to act swiftly and decisively to repeal the failed ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ policy,” stated Log Cabin Republicans National Chairman Terry Hamilton. “This policy has reduced the strength of our military forces, by disqualifying and dismissing soldiers with valuable skill sets that are critically needed. It is time for the United States military to join the ranks of our allies such as Great Britain, Italy, Germany, Israel, Australia and Canada and allow gays and lesbians to serve openly in the military,” continued Hamilton.

A survey conducted by Gallup showed that fifty-eight percent of self-identified conservatives and Republicans support repeal of the ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ policy. According to numerous sources, since the policy was enacted over 13,000 servicemembers have been discharged, including at least 500 under the Obama Administration.

“Log Cabin Republicans remains committed to working with allies in the House and Senate to ensure repeal of this policy legislatively,” said Hamilton. “As this process works through Congress, President Obama must use his full executive authority to suspend prosecutions and instruct Attorney General Eric Holder and the Justice Department to suspend its defense of the policy in the Courts. The President cannot have it both ways; he must be in favor of using every avenue to overturn this policy, not just the one that gives him the most credit,” concluded Hamilton.

Currently, Log Cabin Republicans vs. The United States of America, is the only direct challenge to the ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ policy, filed in the wake the Supreme Court’s decision in Lawrence v. Texas. It is also the only contemporary legal challenge to this policy to succeed at the district court level. One of the injured parties named in the case, Alexander Nicholson, is a former U.S. Army Human Intelligence Collector who speaks multiple languages, including Arabic, and who was fired because of the ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ law just six months after 9/11. Another injured party in the case, listed simply as ‘John Doe,’ currently serves in the Armed Forces and would face a discharge if his identity were revealed.

###

February 1, 2010

“In his State of the Union address last week, President Obama claimed that he was going to be an agent of fiscal restraint and would reduce this nation’s debt. But his latest budget does exactly the opposite: it will increase the national debt by at least $5 trillion over the next five years,” stated Log Cabin Republicans National Chairman Terry Hamilton.

“Americans are gravely concerned about the consequences of runaway government spending and the actions taken by the Obama Administration and the Democrat-controlled Congress,” added Hamilton. “While tackling efforts to reduce the budget deficit, Congress must not pass another ’stimulus’ bill, and a health care reform bill that would balloon the national debt. We praise Senator John McCain for his leadership in calling for an immediate freeze in all non-terrorism related government spending and work to cut the pork-barrel special projects that have allowed the deficit to grow so tremendously,” concluded Hamilton.

January 20, 2010

(Washington, D.C.) Log Cabin Republicans issued the following statement after yesterday’s historic election of Massachusetts Republican Scott Brown to the United States Senate:

“The voters of Massachusetts have sent a clear message to the Democrats in Washington that has been echoed across the country. Americans want bipartisan consensus and commonsense approaches to the critical issues facing our nation today,” said Log Cabin Republicans National Chairman Terry Hamilton. “The election of Scott Brown to the US Senate gives the GOP the crucial forty-first vote to stand up for market-based reform and fiscal restraint, especially in the healthcare debate.”

“Brown’s victory was delivered by a growing dissatisfaction among independent-minded voters, who have been turned off by the Democrats’ big government agenda. We saw it in New Jersey and in Virginia recently, and now in Massachusetts. Scott Brown’s campaign was run on mainstream issues, championed by the GOP, that are important to all voters: creating jobs and helping the American economy rebound,” continued Hamilton.

“We look forward to working with Senator Brown on many critical issues, including market-based healthcare reform, tax relief, supporting the war on terror, workplace non-discrimination, commonsense education reform, and ending the failed ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ policy,” concluded Hamilton.

(Los Angeles, CA) - In a ruling delivered on the eve of the Thanksgiving holiday, U.S. Federal Court Judge Virginia Phillips handed Log Cabin Republicans a major legal victory by denying the Obama Administration Justice Department’s last-minute appeal, which sought to stay proceedings and block discovery in the leading federal case challenging the discriminatory ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ policy.

Barring any kind of extraordinary tactics the Obama Justice Department may try to use to derail this case, the trial is scheduled to begin in June 2010.

“This decision comes at such an appropriate time of the year, as Americans come together to give thanks for all America has been blessed with and continue to keep our service members in their thoughts and prayers,” said Log Cabin Republicans National Board Chairman Terry W. Hamilton. Log Cabin will remain ever vigilant in our challenge to this discriminatory and dangerous policy that puts members of our Armed Forces at risk and goes against the very principles our military fights to protect. We are thankful that the Court saw through this contradictory attempt to derail our case, and we expect that the Government will comply with the orders of the Court, allowing us to conduct discovery without further obstruction or delay,” added Hamilton.

Of note in this most recent communication from the Court, the order confirms that the government informed the Court that notwithstanding the President’s and Congress’ recent statements questioning “the continued wisdom” of the ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ policy, “its instructions to defend the case had not changed.”

Log Cabin Republicans National Spokesperson Charles Moran commented, “As is clearly demonstrated in the words from the Government, the increased pro-LGBT rhetoric from President Obama and Democrat leaders in the Congress have resulted in zero change, either in spirit or substance. This is just one more example of President Obama and Democratic Congressional leadership being strong on rhetoric and weak on action.”

The case in question, Log Cabin Republicans vs. the United States of America, is the first direct challenge to the ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ law filed in the wake of the Supreme Court’s decision in Lawrence v. Texas. It is also the only contemporary legal challenge to this law to succeed at the district court level. One of the injured parties named in the case, Alexander Nicholson, is a former U.S. Army Human Intelligence Collector who speaks multiple languages, including Arabic, and who was fired because of the ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ law just six months after 9/11. Another injured party in the case, listed simply as ‘John Doe’ currently serves in the Armed Forces and would face a discharge if his identity were revealed.

A link to the Court order referenced in this release may be downloaded in PDF format from the following location: http://online.logcabin.org/order-on-motion-to-certify.pdf

(Washington, DC) – Log Cabin Republicans Board Chairman Terry W. Hamilton issued the following statement after the revelation of proposed language of the “Bopp Resolution,” ‘litmus test’ circulating for the RNC Winter Meeting.

“The GOP is well on its way to laying a firm foundation to launch a major shake-up of the political establishment in Washington, DC. Log Cabin Republicans represents thousands of committed gays & lesbians Republicans who are dedicated to the cause of limited government, personal responsibility, a strong national defense and individual freedoms. The RNC should be looking for ways to spread our inclusive message, rather than turning its back on committed, conservative, qualified candidates,” comments Log Cabin Republicans Board Chairman Terry W. Hamilton.

“It is disturbing that distinguished members of the Republican National Committee would be considering an article that President Ronald Reagan would abhor – a litmus test covering a range of issues that would do nothing but drive people away from our Party who are not deemed ‘pure’ enough to be an endorsed candidate,” states Log Cabin Republicans National Spokesperson Charles T. Moran. “Log Cabin Republicans is committed to recruiting and supporting candidates who share our view that an inclusive party will return us to victory. President Reagan often referenced that our party’s strength lies in what unites us. We believe that only an inclusive agenda is the key to returning the GOP to the majority.”