GOP WY Rep. Dan Zwonitzer's pro-equality speech -- where are our advocacy orgs?

agreed, agreed, agreed

because of the fact that support from a republican public figure IS so extremely rare, it is to be doubly commended.  zwonitzer deserves a medal.  we can't take for granted how brave of a gesture he made with his speech and with his vote, and how many risks he assumes as a result. 

The gays stole my lunch money

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by: matt in mpls @ Mon Feb 26, 2007 at 17:21:29 PM CST

Absolutely agree

And this only feeds into the belief among conservative gays that HRC and other gay rights groups are nothing more than Democratic party extensions.

And coverage of this event doesn't have to be framed as "Gay Rights Champions Surge in GOP" or anything; it can be presnted simply as what it is: that one courageous politician took a stand for gay rights.

And, from a certain perspective: this guy was braver than your average Dem. politician.  I mean, if Assemblyman Leno in CA offers up a gay marriage bill, it's no skin off his nose; the only issue is will he succeed.  When a GOP politician in a conservative district take a vote like he does, he actually risked something, took a chance, staked out a position that may cost him his seat.  That sounds like the definition of a profile in courage.

However.
Just to be sad and cynical for one second: it is also possible that this guy doesn't want any kudos or recognition for his work, and he may have indicated the same.  For any primary next year, his opponent could paper the district with "HRC loves this guy!" posters and use that to drive him out.  Sadly, HRC and gay-rights attention may be the last thing this guy needs or wants.

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by: torrentprime @ Mon Feb 26, 2007 at 17:43:13 PM CST

No need to be cynical here

Mr. Zwonitzer has actually indicated that he knows he might lose his seat, but he'd rather be principled.  A very impressive man.

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by: KC @ Mon Feb 26, 2007 at 18:03:46 PM CST

[ Parent ]

A beautiful sentiment

But not really what I was talking about.
I am sure that he is principled, and that he does believe in what he did.  That doesn't mean he wants as much attention paid to his actions as is humanly possible, and he may not be looking for big interviews and gay-rights orgs' stamp of approval.  There's nothing unprincipled about not wanting the limelight, especially if it may make his life more difficult later.

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by: torrentprime @ Tue Feb 27, 2007 at 02:34:42 AM CST

[ Parent ]

a brave man, with convictions

gotta admire Rep. Zwonitzer, being a republican, from a very conservative state (Wyoming - not Wisconsin, btw) with a very fundie base.

If only there were more level-headed people like him....gives me hope for the next generation!

Now if only the DNC and HRC could wake the f*** up!!!!!

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by: bkmn @ Mon Feb 26, 2007 at 17:51:06 PM CST

not quite sure...

Am I the only one waiting for the other shoe to drop?
I don't think I'm alone in simply not trusting it. If he truly supports equality what is he doing in the Republican party to begin with? I'm sure we all have our issues with the Democratic party but promoting prejudice is the main plank in the Republican party platform (when's the last time any Republican did anything fiscally conservative?); and i'm naturally suspicious of anyone representing that no matter what they say.
Hopefully I'm wrong, but I doubt I'm the only one suspicious. If a representative of the KKK made a public speech about tolerance I'd be waiting for the knives to come out.

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by: grendel72 @ Mon Feb 26, 2007 at 19:04:31 PM CST

the fact of the matter is...

...there used to be a liberal wing of the Republican party back in the day (remember randy Nelson Rockefeller?), and the theocrats silenced them. Only now, with the resurgence of a more libertarian streak of Republicans (Zwonitzer is of this stripe), will you begin to see the party return to one that champions individual freedom.

He's the real deal, part of the new generation that the theocrats are concerned about. I've exchanged a few emails with the good Rep. and he's enthusiastic about change ("I have no doubt anymore regarding my actions, or any fear from doing what was right.") and the work allies and gay folks are doing to promote civil rights around the country.

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by: Pam Spaulding @ Mon Feb 26, 2007 at 19:33:37 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Agreed

And its why many of those who grew up conservative (see Andrew Sullivan, for one) are so horrified at what the GOP has become.  It's one thing when you always oppose them and actually believe silly sweeping generalizations like, "They all believe in hate." For people like that, the reality has simply gotten closer to the boogeyman fantasy in their heads. It's far worse, and far sadder, when you see the party to which you devoted time and energy, the people in whom you placed your political and national faith, turn so rotten, so fast.

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by: torrentprime @ Tue Feb 27, 2007 at 02:12:57 AM CST

[ Parent ]

next gen

Rep Zwonitzer is from Larimie, site of the Mathew Sheppard tragedy.  Zwonitzer studied government at Georgetown University.  He probably was leaning towards moderation on social issues which got confirmed and formed even more so during his time in the capital (Georgetown being in DC.)  He's young, he's come back home and has a say...thank goodness.

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by: Karen in Kalifornia @ Mon Feb 26, 2007 at 19:46:58 PM CST

[ Parent ]

cynical or not, it's incredibly courageous

With all the begging and pleading with the likes of Edwards, Kerry, Clinton, et al., we've gotten nowhere, but quietly and with conviction, and probably little no encouragement from anyone and likely huge negative reprecussions from all in his party, this one man has defined what we've been looking for: stand up to the opposition without fear.

The DNC and HRC will NOT respond.  For the DNC especially, it goes against every Republican-hating bone in their body.  They would hate a Republican simply for being a Republican and needs no other excuse.

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by: callie @ Mon Feb 26, 2007 at 19:45:01 PM CST

Shame

It is a shame HRC isn't giving this guy props.  The sooner people in red states who are memembers of the Republican party  begin to honestly grapple with the issue of marriage equality the sooner it will come.  Let's not forget that Zwonitzer was not alone in defeating this bill-- although he was the most eloquent.  The house speaker-- also a republican-- broke the tie that actually killed it.  And (although I am not certain) it appears the few Dems on the committee voted the right way.

The few states where laws like this have not advanced it is because of votes of most of the Democrats and a few brave Republicans.  Without lessening the degree of bravery from Republicans, we ought to recognize that votes by Demoncrats on this issue are (a) not without risk of negative consequences and (b) far more consistently on our side.

While HRC should be giving Zwonitzer an award, I disagree with those commenters who think the DNC should be saying anything good about him.  The DNC is a partisan organization that exists for the sole purpose of electing Democrats; it is not their place to praise Republicans.  That is why we have supposedly non-partisan organizations like HRC.

Where are the Log Cabiners on this?

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by: tony @ Tue Feb 27, 2007 at 00:28:17 AM CST

Agree

This is not remotely the DNC's job.  It should be the job of HRC.

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by: torrentprime @ Tue Feb 27, 2007 at 02:14:15 AM CST

[ Parent ]

no one expects the DNC to comment

As you said DNC is supposed to be partisan; that doesn't excuse any of our advocacy organizations, since they are supposed to be working on behalf of us to promote equality. They are missing out on an opportunity when they cleave to one party, and it reinforces the Democrats' inertia when it comes to taking political risks in support of our cause for civil rights.

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by: Pam Spaulding @ Tue Feb 27, 2007 at 07:30:44 AM CST

[ Parent ]

Let me rephrase

I wasn't speaking of the DNC as an organization.  I know a lot of people on the DNC blog, just regular folks like us, and literally it was ignored when I mentioned it (just like the recent hate crimes were ignored).  Not even a "gee, that took guts."  I wasn't expecting hardcore Democrats to dog their party over it, but Jesus Christ, not even a shrug of the shoulder, you know? 

It goes along with what I've been feeling for a while now.  It's not just the party, it's the supporters of the party, those who have the ear of their legislators in their districts, the foot soldiers, that DON'T GIVE A DAMN about our rights, our safety or our well-being.  All they want is our votes irregardless of a candidates stand on our rights.  We should push it all aside for the "greater good" in the hopes that things won't get worse with Democrats in office, but don't expect them to get better either.  It's that "inertia" you speak of, Pam.  We can hold steady with no change, good or bad, with Democrats in office until the next wave of Repubs come in and then the beatings start all over again.

Someone mentioned above that there are Repubs that are shocked at what has happened to their party.  Well, I'm shocked, dismayed, embarrassed at what has happened to mine.

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by: callie @ Tue Feb 27, 2007 at 11:16:29 AM CST

[ Parent ]

Pam,

what about the Log Cabin Republicans? They have nothing on their website about this either.

But like most posters, there's all kinds of gratuitous hate toward Democrats on that site. Who's more responsible for making this Representative a rock star?

And let's just take a look at his voting record otherwise...is he such a hero for making one speech, one day, when it's perfectly obvious that his entire political career, like every Republican who has not been hounded from the party, like Jim Jeffords, hangs on doing a million other things that undermine gay people, women and minorities as full American citizens?

Let's look at his full record and see just how much of a friend to gay people he is...or if this speech is, in the full view of his career, the political equivalent of "I'm not a homophobe, but..." Good for him for saying it once. But what has he DONE and VOTED for his whole career? Just sayin.'

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by: bambambam @ Tue Feb 27, 2007 at 07:44:37 AM CST

Solomonese had Rep. Zwonitzer on his radio show

I just heard from HRC -- Joe Solmonese had Rep. Zwonizter on his radio show yesterday. I'll get the audio of it for you all later today.

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by: Pam Spaulding @ Tue Feb 27, 2007 at 08:14:29 AM CST