Bush Campaign Chief And Former Republican National Committee Chair Comes Out!
And we couldn’t be more excited!
Ken Mehlman talked a little about his decision to come out:
"It's taken me 43 years to get comfortable with this part of my life. Everybody has their own path to travel, their own journey, and for me, over the past few months, I've told my family, friends, former colleagues, and current colleagues, and they've been wonderful and supportive. The process has been something that's made me a happier and better person. It's something I wish I had done years ago."
Mehlman has been working behind the scenes for years trying to guide republican leaders away from more extreme homophobic views. Chad Griffin, the California-based political strategist who organized opposition to Proposition 8, said that Mehlman's contributions to the gay rights movement have been "tremendous," and that "when we achieve equal equality, he will be one of the people to thank for it."
Although Mehlman has come under some fire for not coming out earlier, potentially at a point in his career where he wielded a little more political power, there is no doubt that Mehlman’s coming out is great news. It can be easy to forget that you can be gay AND a republican, and having people like Mehlman behind the opposition’s lines will be immensely helpful in reshaping the way they think about gay rights.
The gay community and gay rights activists as a whole will be responsible for achieving equal rights in this country; the gay community within the republican party will be responsible for creating harmony once equal rights are achieved.
Now let’s stop all of this political talk and have a party!
[Image via AP Images.]
Tags: equal rights, gay, gay rights, prop 8
SuBo Was Auto-Tuned Too!!!
I am a Republican. I think that everyone should get to be how they are. We needt to stop being political and be HUMAN. Thanks Perez. Love from Pittsburgh!
Pretty naive Perez.
My Perezcious likes to use "party" as a euphemism for cornholing.
nothing against the gays, but what difference does it make if you come out or not? what if all straight people had to come out and decleare themselves straight. its like who cares.
Sorry, Perez. I don't care if he "finally" came out! He is just doing it to make the Rethuglicans appear more gay-friendly. You have a very short memory! This is the SAME GUY who helped create a climate of hate for Gays and worked against Gay Rights.I cannot believe people would let themselves be fooled TWICE by the same gang of creeps that ruined this country.
Yeah, Pretzel, you are certainly one who would have outed him before he was ready. It's great you want to have a party now.
Another homo in the world who cares
damn perez you are so wrong here. this man should be tried for hate crimes for the architect of evil during thew 2004 elections. do some homework before you just parrot what dustin lance black says please
George W. Bush an evil republican actually did more for gay rights then any other president. While Clinton a democrat signed don't ask don't tell President Bush signed the Worker, Retiree and Employer Recovery Act of 2008. The law which made it mandatory for businesses to roll over retirement benefits to a same-sex partner in the event of the employee’s death.
Thanks for that Ken. Nobody cares
Ok … really.. who cares? Why make such a big deal out of who is coming out and who isnt? Is it THAT important to point out the people that are comfortable coming out? It doesnt make him more GAY because he came out… seriously…. this kinda stuff really bugs me…. people are people… who cares if they are gay or not… it doesnt define them… OR are you trying to say that by COMING OUT it defines you now???
he's *gay*?? whaaaaaa? really!? o.m.f.g. never would have suspected that. i can't believe it, it can't be. he's so butch when he talks about tax cuts for the rich, there's nothing in the whole world that would have tipped off anyone to him being gay. what an amazing surprise. he has courage to come out now, now that no one in the world gives a shit and it means nothing.
Are you kidding me? This guy is an ASSHOLE and has done so much against gays. He best do something to make right what he did wrong.
Why would you be so excited about that? What difference does it make? Unless you're attracted to the man, I see no reason for you to have an opinion on an individual's choice one way or another.
And further more, the current man in the White House is the reason that Prop 8 blew up on you. While he motivated the black vote in California to come and vote, while they were at it, they also cast their vote against the gays. For the most part, blacks, along with Muslims no likey your lifestyle.
Big deal. In or out, people are people. Enough with the labels.
Ahh, so NOW you like a Republican. Maybe this will open your eyes to realize that not every Rep. hates gay marriage.