Do gays really suport liberals on non-gay issues?

Question

Most gays are liberals due to the fact that liberals support gay rights. However, gay rights is one of many issues. Are you all one-issue voters? It seems to me that gay would support any politician as long as he or she supports gay rights, but you completely disregard all other issues. Well, maybe I should cut to the point. One of those not so common type of gays: a conservative gay. I do support gay rights, but it's one of very few issues that I agree with liberals. On most of other social and fiscal matters I am very conservative. I'm for capital punishment, gun rights, lower taxes, lower welfare spendings, enhanced border security, etc. Are there any gays with conservative views??

Answer 1

I call myself liberal because I am pro choice, pro gay marriage, support higher taxes for those that can afford to pay them, and concerned about the environment. I'm not liberal because I'm gay.

Answer 2

Yes, a lot of gays really do support liberal positions on a broad spectrum of issues. I know I do. One reason is that a lot of gays have seen what it's like to be a little oppressed, and they know what it's like to suffer and struggle - so they understand the suffering and struggling of others.

Now, I have some views that a lot of conservatives identify with - border security, a streamlined tax system... but in general, I think liberalism is just a more thoughtful philosophy. I am opposed to capital punishment because humans are fallible and even one mistaken execution is one too many. I am pro-gun-control because I've lived in bad neighborhoods and I've seen what guns can do - but as long as the constitution says there's a right to bear arms, then there IS that right; we just need to amend the constitution! I am in favor of welfare as long as it is a hand UP, not a hand OUT... and I believe that we should return to something like the Works Progress Administration and the Public Works Administration because that was a form of welfare that people had to WORK for - and that was then a reinvestment of tax money into our infrastructure, so it wasn't just paid out to people sitting at home collecting checks and being depressed.

So while I'm liberal, I don't think we necessarily disagree in any huge way - and I think it's a shame that respectful, respectable conservatism has largely died in this country and has been largely replaced by a noise machine supporting corporatism and imperialistic warfare.

Answer 3

I'm a gay man with fairly conservative views. I think some of the problem is that a large part of the gay community rejects any aspect of conservatism (is that a word?) and so we tend to not be too vocal. I've had way too many people ask me (yell at me) how I can be pro-life AND pro-gay rights, as if somehow the two were the same thing. And the same with capital punishment. I don't know how it all got lumped together or how some things are "conservative" and some things are "liberal," my all my voting choices are not dictated by sexual orientation.

I have noticed - especially among straight people who support gay rights - the umbrella phrase of "liberal on social issues, conservative on fiscal issues."

Answer 4

I have some conservative views. I am completly for capital punishment and such. I am for lower taxes, but not completly because that is the main source of money for the government. As for the border security, that is a waste of money because there will always be immigrants fleeing their country. The only way to fix the immigration problem is to fix the economical problems in their native countries. As for gun rights, I think you should have to go through hell to get a gun. There are way too many guns on the street that are killing people. But another problem with that is most of those guns are bought illegally anyways. I think that this country should eliminate welfare, social security, disability, ect. I think there should be a completly new system created that only helps the people who actually need it. I am not completly sure what I am because I am a conservative and liberal depending on the issue.

Answer 5

Neither Liberals nor Conservatives match my political taste. I usually identify as a social liberal and a fiscal conservative.

Among the issues you raise, I am against capital punishment, but mostly due to the fact that the cost to taxpayers is higher than a life imprisonment sentence (as well as some death sentences being overturned on newer DNA evidence).

On gun rights, I support gun owners. I also believe that their are certain responsibilities with gun ownership, just as their are with obtaining a driver's license. If a responsible person wants a gun, it is their right to have one.

I am for lower taxes. The government has become a welfare state that is mostly geared towards corporate welfare, and the politicians passing the laws are having their palms greased by political action committees.

I am for increased border security. When NAFTA was passed (as well as CAFTA) it was supposed to stop the ever increasing incidence of illegal immigrants. Not all immigrants crossing the southern border of the US are Mexican, and some come from countries that promote terrorism against the US. I cannot fault those wanting to make a better life for themselves because US immigration law is highly prejudicial against Latin America and the laws, as well as border security, needs to be changed.

Since I am not on death row, an illegal immigrant, or on welfare these issues are secondary to my wanting to to have the same rights regarding discrimination that are already enjoyed by others under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

All of these views are important to me, but there is no federal law that says that I cannot be fired from my job for no other reason than being gay. There is no federal law that says that I cannot be denied an apartment lease or home mortgage for no other reason than being gay.

Once I have the same legal protections as those with certain "religious beliefs or practices" I will consider these other issues. Until then, I will only consider candidates who do not consider me a second class citizen.

Answer 6

Gay marriage is a civil rights issue. Civil rights are individual freedoms. I'd question whether marriage should even be the business of government. Marriage is a private contract between individuals. Any religious sentiment or definitions are personal and should not be forced upon the general population. I'd say that most gay rights/gay marriage supporters are on the left, but clearly the Democrats haven't caught up. Think of it this way: the left usually votes Democrat, the left usually supports gay marriage, but the Democrats don't always go left. For me, gay marriage is more of a libertarian issue that the left just happens to endorse. On other matters of freedom, they're horribly behind and inadequate.

Answer 7

Look into the "Log Cabin Republicans", and I believe you'll be surprised.

Not all Gay people are out, and even if we are, we not "media" out like Rosie O'Donnell. We are just as complex as any other human being, though you may never see that in the media. I believe in some what would be considered conservative issues and I believe in some what would be considered liberal issues. I don't necessarily side with any one political party. I do have and form my own opinions.

Answer 8

I do support other stuff that is conservative, but not always. I support stuff that I believe is right and sometimes thats on the conservative side. I don't think being gay means you're only liberal. I know some straight ppl who's really liberal, even more then me sometimes. Its based on personal choice I believe.

Answer 9

Yes there are- I had a very close gay friend who was all for gun rights and very against abortion. But at the same time I have had very liberal gay friends. Gay people are just like everyone else- there's all kinds. You cannot stereotype them all as liberal. Sexual orientation is not a big determinant of political beliefs.

Answer 10

I'm not very conservative, but I know some conservative or Libertarian gay people. However, it's difficult to support someone who wants to send you to jail, even if they consider the economic plans that you agree with in a positive light. Gay rights deserve to trump other things for gay people, because if they don't, we don't have much of a chance of surviving.

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Answer 11

I'm the same way as you. Very conservative except when it comes to gay issues and rights