Bryan Fischer, director of issue analysis for the American Family Association, is throwing a hissy fit over a gay Republican organization, GOProud, co-sponsoring next year’s Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Washington, DC, scheduled for February 18-20.
The conference is hosted annually by the American Conservative Union (ACU) whose longtime chairman is longtime conservative David Keene – both of for whom I once worked (is that tortured grammar, or what?).
Some of the gay guys, while staunch fiscal conservatives, hold different points of view on such issues as gay marriage (it should be a state issue), domestic partner benefits and Bill Clinton’s don’t-ask-don’t-tell policy regarding gays in the military. And homo-hostile social conservatives such as Mr. Fischer aren’t even willing to tolerate that such views to be held, let alone communicated at a conservative conference where, one would think, freedom of expression and ideas would be welcomed.
So Mr. Fischer is stomping his feet, holding his breath and throwing a temper-tantrum. And joining him is Matt Barber of Liberty Counsel who is reportedly “drafting a letter to be signed by top social conservative leaders pledging to boycott CPAC if they permit GOProud’s sponsorship of the event.”
How, um….intolerant?
Now, times and money are tight. So my organization, Citizen Outreach, wasn’t planning on co-sponsoring CPAC this year. However, Chairman Keene, if any of your co-sponsors back out and boycott this upcoming CPAC because you stand your ground and allow GOProud to proudly continue as a co-sponsor – we’ll be glad take one of their spots.
Conservatives shouldn’t be afraid of dissenting conservative views.
