Meghan McCain tells GOP to go gay

April 13, 5:26 PMInternational LGBT Issues ExaminerKelvin Lynch

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                               Meghan McCain

In her column on The Daily Beast, Meghan McCain says the GOP should "go gay". 

Talking about her support for the Log Cabin Republicans (she's a keynote speaker at their national convention this year), the outspoken McCain says GOP resistance to gay marriage goes against conservative values and self-interests:

"At the most basic level, sexual orientation should not be a factor in how you are treated. If the Republican Party has any hope of gaining substantial support from a wider, younger base, we need to get past our anti-gay rhetoric. As you can imagine, the road for gay Republicans hasn't been an easy one. Most seem to find the words 'homosexual' and "conservative" inherent contradictions, much the same way so many people can’t seem to reconcile fiscal conservatism and the big-tent philosophy of freedom and justice for all."

McCain refers to one Republican in particular who "helped turn the tide" against anti-gay public sentiment during the Anita Bryant era -- Ronald Reagan.  She says then-California Governor Reagan went against his own presidential campaign advisors and conventional wisdom to help fight the infamous Briggs Iniative, which would have led to the firing of gay and lesbian teachers in California.  McCain said Reagan knew that "parents already had all the rights they needed to protect their children and that the government did not need to interfere. It was a perfect example of the Great Communicator doing what was right, but not in a way that further divided voters."  The Briggs Initiative (a.k.a. Prop 6) was vehemently opposed by slain San Francisco Supervisor Harvey Milk and a focal point of the movie Milk.

McCain says President Obama's "dirty little secret" is that he's against gay marriage, "but you'd never know it because he sounds so inclusive."  That's not exactly true -- Obama has always said he's against gay marriage but supports civil unions and federal benefits for same sex couples.  Anyway, she says the GOP should not only sound more inclusive, but also be more inclusive.  She quotes the Log Cabin Republicans as saying,

"The Republicans are the party of Abe Lincoln—working to achieve equality for all. In that spirit, [we] encourage all Republicans to remember our party’s commitment to and respect for limited government, individual liberty, and personal freedoms—the bedrock for a sound and strong democracy. Affirming and codifying gay and lesbian relationships strengthens communities, eliminates confusion, and builds a stronger citizenry.”

Refusing to be stereotyped, McCain says she shocked the GOP when she announced that she was a pro-life,  pro-gay marriage Republican.  "Lest we forget," she says, "our founding document, the Declaration of Independence, grants the same rights to everyone in this country—'All men are created equal.'  If you think certain rights should not apply to certain people, then you are saying those people are not equal. People may always have a difference of opinion on certain lifestyles, but championing a position that wants to treat people unequally isn't just un-Republican. At its fundamental core, it's un-American. Like the civil-rights and feminist movements before this, the movement toward gay equality and gay marriage is one I have absolute faith will triumph over prejudices. Moreover, I believe the Republican Party has, at this moment, the opportunity to come forward and play an instrumental role in securing gay rights. That's why I'm speaking at the Log Cabin convention and couldn't be prouder to be doing so. And yes, I'm still a Republican. Get used to it."

I have to admit, I thought Meghan was like all the other Evangelical Republibitches when I saw her standing with Sarah Palin behind her dad during the campaign.  Now that she's been unmuzzled, I think she kinda rocks!  Yes, her chances of convincing the current GOP to "go gay" are about as likely as me turning straight and playing professional football for a living, but at least she's smart enough to lend a rational voice to the Republican party.