I completely disagree with what former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee believes about the LGBT community. Huckabee is a known homophobe wrapped in the swaddling comfort of an evangelical Christian blanket. Sometimes important lessons come from the strangest places.
At a meeting of conservatives on Tuesday Huckabee said, “If the Republicans want to lose guys like me and a whole bunch of still God-fearing, Bible-believing people, go ahead and just abdicate on this (same sex marriage) issue and while you’re at it, go ahead and say abortion doesn’t matter either. At that point, you lose me. I’ll become an independent. I’ll start finding people that have guts to stand.”
Huckabee was not finished, he wrote on his website, “It is shocking that many elected officials, attorneys, and judges think that a court ruling is the ‘final word.’ It most certainly is not.” Now that is conviction to principles, absolutely discriminatory principles, but clearly Huckabee believes that his God does not want same sex couples to marry. Most people of all political stripes disagree with Huckabee, but the former Arkansas governor has taught America an important lesson; conviction.
Huckabee believes what he is saying is truth. He is willing to leave the Republican Party based upon his beliefs. No, “I will work from within the party.” No, “I will attempt to change the hearts and minds of those Republicans who disagree with me.” Huckabee is saying there is a line that cannot be crossed. He is a potential frontrunner in the 2016 Iowa presidential primary, but Huckabee is willing to put everything on the line for his “truth.”
Is there a line that the LGBT community won’t let be crossed? Apparently not. The Republican Platform continues to promote policies that make LGBT people second class citizens. Yet, approximately 23% of the LGBT community voted Republican in the 2012 presidential election. Were these community members saying “I want to be a second class citizen”?
Isn’t it time that the LGBT community put everything on the line? No voting for Republicans until the platform is changed. Rebuking politicians like gay Republican candidate Carl DeMaio who will be cavorting with House Speaker John Boehner here in San Diego this weekend. Speaker Boehner has done everything in his power to deny gays and lesbians marriage rights. DeMaio and Boehner raise money together to deny LGBT people equality. DeMaio simply grins and bears it.
It’s time for us to say no. No, to those in our community who are willing to support the Republican Party. The party that wants to deny us equal citizenship.
No, to those in either party who refuse to lead on the issue of LGBT civil rights. Otherwise, the LGBT community will say no when the candidate asks for our vote. Our equality is absolute, no compromises.
Will there be situations where we the LGBT community may have to vote for the lesser of two evils to exercise our voice in government. Sure. There could be an anti-LGBT Democrat and pro-LGBT Republican. Who should we for? If the pro-LGBT Republican promises to vote for all major LGBT positive legislation, the answer is simple. Without those assurances then the answer may be more difficult. Depending upon the situation, both the anti-LGBT Democrat, and the Republican who refuses to give us vote assurances, can do us harm. A dilemma. A vote that is the exception to the rule. The rule? No voting for Republicans until their platform is changed.
Thank you Mike Huckabee for teaching the LGBT community what true conviction is all about. We will cast our votes for those who support LGBT equality or simply take our vote somewhere else. By the way, pro-LGBT Republican candidates the line that cannot be crossed is the party platform language about LGBT people. Change it or forget about the LGBT vote. You can thank Mike Huckabee, as do we.
