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| Christian Grantham was a student activist in the late 90s and later was a consultant to domestic policy forums for the Clinton Administration as well as events for HRC and GLAAD. | |||
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latest posts
May 28, 2004
The Republican Party has delivered yet another reminder of the culture war brewing within the GOP over the issue of equal marriage rights for gay and lesbian Americans.
An openly gay delegate to the Republican National Convention has been stripped of his delegate seat this week for his vocal opposition to the President's support for a divisive amendment to the United State Constitution.
David Catania, who is also a Washington D.C. councilmember and rising star in the Republican Party, was told he is no longer welcome in the party of Lincoln because he doesn't support the party's effort to write discrimination against gays into the constitution.
Never mind Catania's support of President Bush's more important positions on the war on terror or taxes or the fact that Catania has raised more than $50,000 for Bush's re-election. The more important issue emerging within the Republican Party is whether you will support their plans to alienate American citizens and help them deny equal rights via the United States Constitution. see also> Republican vision of America excludes equality
For those Republicans that claim they have no intention to discriminate against gays by denying equal marriage rights, Catania's example shows that the desire of Republicans to "defend marriage" is a veil over efforts to go much further. If you don't think like they do, they don't want you around.
Is it a stretch to think these same people would apply their political practices to foster an atmosphere of intollerance in their community's, places of worship, hospitals and the workplace?
The recent actions of the Republican Party speak louder than words.
The attitude at the heart of Republican notions of "inclusion" is anything but compassionate. Acts of discrimination do not unite Americans behind common goals and higher principles. They divide Americans.
Today's Republican moderates need to speak up as their party is slowly taken hostage by radical elements in our society set on soiling America's founding principles of fairness and equality, and tragically destroying the Republican party.
Catania Leaves D.C. GOP Over Convention Seat
By Vanessa Williams
Washington Post
May 28, 2004
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