A few weeks back we told you about openly-gay GOP presidential candidate Fred Karger, who we are in love with. Now another socially liberal candidate has added his name to the list of contenders: Gary Johnson, former New Mexico Governor, says he is “ready for a different America. I’m ready for the day when a person can build a good life on a decent income, and we can take our government at its word.”
Gary Johnson is pro-gay rights and thinks the government shouldn’t be involved in marriage at all. He thinks the Don’t Ask Don’t Tell repeal took too long to happen:
“I become emotional over the fact that we have young men and women in the service that are gay and can’t express that, who are putting their lives on the line.”
Also he wants to legalize marijuana.
Meanwhile Fred Karger, our favorite Republican ever, wants to participate in a May 5th debate but the powers-that-be aren’t letting him do so, saying that he doesn’t meet the polling requirement. Karger says:
“I want to be on that stage, and I told them for my community, for what I’m doing, what I represent, this is very important. It’s not just some crazy guy out there. It’s a very important thing to me personally and to the millions of people who are looking to me as the first openly gay candidate.”
In other “What have republicans done for us lately” news, the Log Cabin Republicans have gotten themselves involved in the fight to legalize gay marriage in New York, with Governor Andrew Cuomo behind the renewed push. The group will join the umbrella “New Yorkers United for Marriage” group, where they will lobby along with The Human Rights Campaign (HRC), Empire State Pride Agenda, Freedom to Marry and Marriage Equality New York (MENY).
Senator Ruben Diaz, the scourge of liberal New Yorkers’ existence and the organizer of unpleasant anti-gay rallies, is mad at the Governor:
“I am deeply offended that during this Holy Week, which is a most sacred time to millions of New Yorkers, Governor Andrew Cuomo is working hard to mobilize elected officials to legalize homosexual marriage in New York. Now Governor Cuomo is targeting communities of faith in an effort to redefine marriage… I must ask, if Governor Cuomo is ethically allowed to use public resources during these serious financial times to raise funds (by having his staff raise money) and to use his staff (who are paid for with tax dollars) and his office (for weekly meetings) to promote a radical agenda, then shouldn’t we all be able to use our offices and staffs to raise resources for issues that matter to us?”
Yes sir. I believe you already do! Especially at the highest levels of government!
In Iowa, some assholes are trying to impeach the justices who favored gay marriage: “Marriage is between one man and one woman and they just up and tried to change the definition of a word and you just can’t do that,” Iowa Republican Tom Shaw told Radio Iowa on Thursday. “Justices don’t have the authority to change the meanings of words.”
In Montana, a judge rejected a lawsuit that sought to give same-sex couples the same protections as married couples, like being able to make burial, health care and other decisions jointly and filing taxes together. His decision was at least partly determined by “the state’s voter-approved constitutional definition of marriage between one man and one woman.” The lawsuit was filed by the American Civil Liberties Union, arguing that the Montana Constitution has promised to provide “equal protection, privacy and dignity” to its citizens. The ACLU is gonna appeal that bitch.
Dear Ruben Diaz,
Sorry about being gay during holy week. Did you know I am also gay on Christmas? It’s because I hate you, and want to offend your sense of morality personally.
PS I am gay on your birthday, too.
I, in fact, take it a step further and CELEBRATE being gay on Christmas by watching “Meet Me in St. Louis” several times and making swoony faces at Judy Garland. Just for you, Ruben Diaz. Just. For. You.
I had (gay) sex on his birthday.
I had (gay) sex on his birthday and NOT to procreate! And I might just do it on Easter and Christmas and Flag day too….
I’m going to purchase an American Flag themed sex-toy. I will use it as my Christmas-Card picture, he’s on my Christmas Card list (obviously)
Iowa, busily destroying the only reason educated professionals ever had to move there.
My super-conservative parents like to send me links to alert me anytime a Republic does something remotely good for gay people. (Cute, right?) Gary Johnson should be popping up in my inbox any minute now!
Someone needs to tell Ruben that EVAN RACHEL WOOD BISEXUAL during Holy Week.
I always love when people try to play the “you’re not allowed to change the definition of words” card? If justices don’t have that authority, who does? Sarah Palin? Miley Cyrus? Ke$ha!?! The world needs to know, folks!
Personally, I am nonplussed about the evolution of language.
Exactly- I mean “gay” used to mean nothing more than happy. Marriage is an abstract concept backed up by a legal document- which has the power to seriously affect people’s lives. Already the concept of marriage has changed radically in the last two hundred years- let alone the last five hundred years, or the last thousand years. It’s ridiculous to cling to a definition that is already outdated.
In fact, that’s pretty much what judges, through this wonderful thing we have called the common law do. They define things.
What’s negligence? What’s fraud? Due process? Sure, legislatures sometimes define words in statutes and constitutions, but not always. Even then, often judges are forced to ask, “What exactly did the legislature mean when they wrote [X] and how does it affect the facts of this case before me?”
Shaw may not be a lawyer, but he was Chief of Police somewhere so he should be familiar with the workings of the justice system. Apparently they aren’t teaching much in criminal justice programs these days…
Hey now, I am a CJ major!! And I learn lots! AND I’m a homogay even on holidays! I don’t think it’s the PROGRAMS that are the problem – I think it’s ijits that only hear what they want to hear in said programs! LOL!
I agree – he’s a moron though! :)
Hahah, fair enough. There are quite a few lawyer politicians who sometimes sound like they slept through the entirety of law school…
Possibly why they’re politicians. Instead of, you know, practicing law.
There’s a hidden cabal of English professors that are in charge of changing definitions, they swear on the OED to keep their identities secret
Hey, the Tea Partiers definitely think that Palin is some sort of wordsmith, with her new word “refudiate” making Word of the Year and all.
Gary Johnson has kind of a mixed record on abortion, though. :(
But the fact that there are two pro-gay-rights people running for the Republican nomination should signal to Obama and all the other Democrats dragging their feet on gay rights issues that it’s time to GET WITH THE PROGRAM.
I wish that these pro-gay rights candidates also supported health care for gay people, or social services for gay people, or clean air for gay people (and all those things for straight people too, I guess).
Well, that about does it. I now feel like it’s my duty to have the gayest Easter humanly possible. I’ll get right on painting hard-boiled eggs rainbow and tenderly caressing the paskas, magically transforming the bread of Christ into radical lesbian baked goods.
Omigod, I love you because you’re obviously Ukrainian JUST LIKE ME which means now we’re forever united in the wonderful sisterhood.
“Marriage is between one man and one woman and they just up and tried to change the definition of a word and you just can’t do that,” Iowa Republican Tom Shaw whined to Radio Iowa on Thursday while stamping his feet, crossing his arms, and pouting his lips defiantly.
Whenever I read these kinds of quotes I imagine them coming from the mouths of whiny five-year-olds. “But Mooooom it’s not fair! I’m the oldest, only I should sit in the front seat!”
Maybe we should respond in kind. Perhaps getting to their level is the only way they’ll understand?
“No, it’s MY turn to get married! YOU got married last time, remember?”
I swear I will turn this car around so fast…
I have a lot of things I could say on this issue but I dont feel like it. Instead, I’d like to take a moment to recognise everyone who has commented above me. I think i chuckled at every one of these comments and at a time I really needed to laugh. You guys are great! And thankyou AS for bringing us all together.
I just sent the following email to Ruben Diaz:
Personally, I’m offended that Senator Diaz is spreading his hatred around during the lead-up to one of the most sacred days to millions of Americans (and non-Americans, for that matter). His intolerance and attempt to deny rights to an entire population of people is an affront to those of us who actually recognize the dignity and value of all human beings.
I must ask if he is ethically allowed to use public resources during these serious financial times to raise funds (by having his staff raise money) and to use his staff (who are paid for with tax dollars) and his office (for weekly meetings) to force a radical religious agenda in a supposedly secular country. Shouldn’t you all be using your offices and staffs to raise money for causes that support equality and justice for ALL of the citizens you were elected to represent (NOT JUST THE STRAIGHT CONSERVATIVE CHRISTIAN ONES)?
We’ll see if I get a reply.
*hugs* you are so cool. Let us know if you have any updates.
so much win.
i like what you did there at the top of the site, autostraddle
i was so busy admiring it i forgot to sign in. oops!
”Marriage is between one man and one woman and they just up and tried to change the definition of a word and you just can’t do that,” Iowa Republican Tom Shaw told Radio Iowa on Thursday. “Justices don’t have the authority to change the meanings of words.”
You guys! We should have been lobbying Webster’s this whole time!