So much for "reaching out" to those who support "gay rights." Michael Steele, the token black and latest anti-gay chairman of the Republican National Committee, shoots down any suggestion the Party will modify its extremist stance on gay rights. When asked if he would "consider" gay civil unions, Steele told the interviewer, "What are you, crazy?"
Think Progress reports (audio) the exchange between Steele and Mike Gallagher on the syndicated, conservative radio host's show. Steele channels Amy Winehouse.
GALLAGHER: Is this a time when Republicans ought to consider some sort of alternative to redefining marriage and maybe in the road, down the road to civil unions. Do you favor civil unions?
STEELE: No, no no. What would we do that for? What are you, crazy? No. Why would we backslide on a core, founding value of this country? I mean this isn’t something that you just kind of like, “Oh well, today I feel, you know, loosey-goosey on marriage.” […]
GALLAGHER: So no room even for a conversation about civil unions in your mind?
STEELE: What’s the difference?
Compare this to Steele's hollow promises to reach out to gay rights supporters in the days after winning the chairmanship. "Does the GOP need to do a better job who hold those views?" asked FOX News Sunday host Chris Wallace. "I think that's an important opportunity for us," Steele replied. "Absolutely, because within our party we do have those who have that view as well as outside."
That was February 1st. It didn't take the emperor long to show his true colors.
Asked Would He Consider Civil Unions ... [Think Progress]
Some Background...
Steele: Repubs Need "Hip-Hop" Makeover [R20]
Anti Gay RNC Chair Steele "Bush Reincarnated"? [R20]
Log Cabin Praise Anti-Gay RNC Chair Steele [R20]
Erkel.
Posted by: Derrick from Philly | 24 February 2009 at 12:03
ummm where is that queen who was arguing with rod and saying to "give the brother a chance"? lol
Posted by: GRANT | 24 February 2009 at 12:06
LOL @ TOKEN
That is exactly what this man is. Michael Steels is the worse (sp?) kind of black folk, fighting against the interests of the black community.
Posted by: Dalton H | 24 February 2009 at 12:07
The Log Cabins, of which I used to be a member really have no where else to go. When the Republicans return to Free Minds, Free Markets and a Free Society, they might win a few more elections.
Posted by: Bill | 24 February 2009 at 12:17
Now did anyone really think he was going to reach out to the glbt community? He isn't even interested in reaching out to straight blacks, the group that the GOP wants are Hispanics, and, that is where you will see the "outreach" from the Whigs, sorry, GOP.
The GOP has a minstrel show and between him and Jindal, who can be meaner, anti-gay and anti-black, a tough fight!
Posted by: Luther | 24 February 2009 at 12:32
ms is a merely a black face on rabid gaybashing white bigots/republikkkan agendas...
may he continue to be so candid about the hatreds they mask...
shame
ab
Posted by: alicia banks | 24 February 2009 at 13:04
And this is exactly why the GOP is destined to fade to shadow in the coming years. They're out of step with the 21st century.
Posted by: Doug Cooper-Spencer | 24 February 2009 at 13:11
Um... so was slavery. Yet, I would think he'd celebrate the backsliding of that particular founding value of this country.
Posted by: Lucas | 24 February 2009 at 14:12
Every time this man opens his mouth it is an embarrassment of epic proportions.
Posted by: Marvin M | 24 February 2009 at 15:14
Disgusting! My apologies to you all from the state of MD. We should have tried harder to keep him within our borders...
Posted by: ReggieH | 24 February 2009 at 16:46
Steele is a bloody idiot. "Why would we backslide on a core, founding value of this country?" The founding value of this country was not marriage, rather it was "All men are created equal".
Since you do not allow profanity on your blog Rod, allow me this indulgence, "@#$%! *&%"
Posted by: johnozed | 24 February 2009 at 18:20
i refuse to understand why black gay men get so angry about gay marriage or cival unions being shot down...unless your dating...
Posted by: ariel | 24 February 2009 at 21:14
Very good point about slavery, Lucas.
The thing is, I am sure that if you could see into the souls of Republicans, you would find that more than a few would love for slavery to be the law of the land once again. The desire to eliminate all minimum wage laws, which Republicans readily admit to, is not so far away from a desire for slavery.
(Yes, I'm pretending here that Republicans actually have souls.)
Posted by: Jim | 24 February 2009 at 23:06