The phrase “throw down the gauntlet” means to issue a challenge. In medieval times, a knight would throw his metal glove, the gauntlet, to the ground to issue a challenge to another knight. If the knight accepted the challenge, he would “take up the gauntlet.” Well I am throwing down the gauntlet this political season.
The first two political knights I am challenging are Carl DeMaio and Lorie Zapf, proverbial knights of the same “square” table. Carl DeMaio is running against Congressman Scott Peters in the 52nd District. During his tenure as congressman, Peters has been an outspoken advocate of LGBT rights. He is also a Democrat.
As I have told you before, the party platform for the Democrats versus the Republicans could not be more different. The Republican Party platform says Republicans “reaffirm our support for a constitutional amendment defining marriage as the union of one man and one woman.” The Democratic platform says “Gay rights are human rights.” Could there be more of a contrast?
DeMaio debuted a few posters heralding, “Help elect the first openly gay Republican to Congress.” The first question is why DeMaio can’t find enough LGBT people in San Diego to do his retail politics. He has to recruit LGBT people with an enticement of spending the weekend in San Diego? If someone shows up to your door, or calls you on the phone, your first question should be “are you from San Diego”?
The second question is why is DeMaio a Republican? I throw down the gauntlet and ask DeMaio why he won’t repudiate the Republican platform on LGBT rights? Is it because the money would stop coming in from folks like Papa Doug Manchester, Karl Rove and Charles LiMandri? Why would LGBT people elect someone who is part of a party that wants to deny LGBT people basic rights? Carl, pick up the gauntlet and say “I repudiate the Republican Party’s views on LGB and T rights.” Is it any wonder that the national LGBT rights groups the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) and the Victory Fund have not come out in support of DeMaio’s candidacy? HRC endorsed Congressman Scott Peters.
Councilwoman Lorie Zapf is running in the new City Council District 2. You remember Zapf, she said “I absolutely want to keep homosexuals out of public office and not be allowed to influence our schools, textbooks, altering marriage, children and on and on.” She sent this to right wing zealot James Hartline. DeMaio and other “LGBT leaders” say Zapf evolved like Obama. Not really. Obama evolved to become the best president on LGBT rights in history. What has Zapf done to help LGBT people in San Diego? She voted for Harvey Milk Street. Is she for marriage equality nationwide, and more importantly worldwide? Or is Zapf simply supportive of marriage equality in California, which is the law of the state? Evolving is about full equality for LGBT people everywhere. Zapf, pick up the gauntlet and say “I support LGB and T rights everywhere.”
I won’t hold my breath. Just as I didn’t for now Mayor Faulconer. Until I hear Republican candidates advocate for LGB and T rights everywhere, I will support the Democrat; at least I know our equality is in the Democratic platform. Some will say this or that Republican candidate is different. They are simply wrong. If you are running as a Republican, you support a constitutional amendment that would deny our community marriage equality. That’s what your platform says; period.
I have a feeling that all of my gauntlets will litter the ground this political season because candidates like DeMaio and Zapf will not have the courage to take up the challenge.
STAMPP CORBIN
PUBLISHER
San Diego LGBT Weekly
