It's Your Move, Says Log Cabin's Patrick Sammon

Sam Nunn and Bill Clinton), but they're much more supportive and are willing (slowly but surely) to work for our civil rights.

I find the notion that LGBT persons cannot be or should not be Republican to be on the same level of condescension as the notion that minority persons should vote Democratic, and I think it condescending to take the votes of LGBT persons for granted just as much as taking minority votes for granted. Everyone is an individual, and we all need to make our own choices about our vote. Therefore, Mr. Sammon has every right to vote for Sen. McCain if he so chooses. Also, federalism is important thing, rights fought for state by state are the biggest way to advance civil rights, and so a President is not going to seriously impact things one way or another, at least not compared to victories achieved in the states. Our nation was built on the principle of federalism, the idea that states can decide for themselves on a great many issues, other than on issues of security and the free markets. This has worked for a long time, and my faith is that it will work for us in the LGBT community as well.

While I think the essay is dead on - coming from someone who supports the party that drags their feet and counters our efforts whenever gays make political advances - is disapointing.

Without the support of gay republicans in '04, Bush would not be president today. I just don't understand how any gay person could be republican. There are other ways to believe in and pursue conservative fiscal issues.

Lest you all forget, John Kerry in 2004 also supported anti-gay marriage amendments. Not only in his home state of Massachusetts, but also in Missouri. And I seem to remember a large number of LGBT Democrats supporting him. The reality is that we have a two party system and we aren't going to achieve anything while only working one side of the aisle. That would require a resounding number of pro-LGBT Democrats to be elected in both federal houses, the presidency, state legislatures and governorships. That's a near impossible task that the social fundamentalists would never let happen.

I agree with basically every point in this essay (what's not to agree with?!). But to think the writer is likely to vote for McCain (who appeared in a 2006 television commercial supporting an Arizona bill to ban same-sex marriage) is sickening. So, Mr. Sammon, how do you reconcile voting to oppose the ban in California, while voting for a presidential candidate who doesn't support gay marriage (or the repeal of Don't Ask Don't Tell) and who's likely to stack the Supreme Court with conservative anti-gay rights judges? To the contrary, Mr. Sammon, it's not just "my move"... it's "YOUR move" when you get into that voting booth too, you know. (and, yes, I know Obama doesn't support gay marriage flat out... but he's a lot closer to our side than McCain is - and unfortunately, we have to take what we can get in that regard).

Well, DUH! You don't have to be a damn brain surgeon to know that supporting gay marriage is important to all GLBT people regardless of political patry. However, coming from "Gay Republicans" (a group more concerned with with the Almighty Buck than advancing gay rites) - these words ring hollow.

Here, Here!! Although I have in the past, looked upon 'Gay Repulican' as an oxymoron; The Log Cabin Republicans have hit the nail on the head. We ALL, regardless of our political persuasion, need to get behind this history making event and make CERTAIN any attempt to ban same-sex marriage at the ballot box or elsewhere, is defeated. This issue will be the means by which we as a community are defined. If we are able to prevail, and turn back any attempt at repeal by constitutional amendment or other means, we will have finally broken the mold of inequality. God bless all those who are taking this historic step in securing marriage licenses. Massachusetts has had legal same-sex marriage for years, and the sky has not fallen. Chicken Little should relax. We mean only GOOD!

I am the mother of a 22 year old gay man. I use to be a Republican and for many, many reasons, now vote Democrat. But, whether you're a Republican or Democrat, SPEAK UP. It takes not only the LGBT community to tell their story, but it takes families, friends and co-workers to stand up for LGBT rights. So, please, Democrat or Republican speak loudly for the rights of all Americans.

The Log Cabin Republicans are an embarrassment and a major thorn in the side of the LGBT community. If all gay Republicans had voted for the party that supports us, rather than their financial interests the last two elections, we wouldn't have the debacle called the Bush Administration right now. The best thing every gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgendered person can do is to register as a Democrat and vote the bigots and hate-mongers (and closet cases) out of office. I'm not naive enough to think Democrats are perfect (i.e. Sam Nunn and Bill Clinton), but they're much more supportive and are willing (slowly but surely) to work for our civil rights.