Conference Trains Gay Leaders

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Conference Trains Gay Leaders

Seattle event a how-to session on running for office

Focus on the Family, November 21, 2005

A weekend conference in Seattle highlighted gays and lesbians serving in public office; topics included diversity, human rights and campaigning. Scheduled speakers included Washington Gov. Christine Gregoire, and openly gay U.S. Reps. Barney Frank, D-Mass., and Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis.

Sponsors of the Gay and Lesbian Leadership Conference declined to comment, but have been quoted as saying that "gays in public office put a human face on homosexuality."

Chuck Wolfe, president of the Gay & Lesbian Leadership Institute, said one goal was to encourage closeted officials to "come out" about their homosexuality.

"Our common bond is that we are (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) citizens of the country and the world who have decided to enter the arena of public life," he said. "By doing so there is a special obligation to bring forth resolutions for those who are silenced by inhumane laws and for those who fear voters will not accept the truths about their lives."

Joe Glover, president of the Family Policy Network, called it the same old dog-and-pony show.

"When you look down the list the itinerary of speakers and participants, it's a who's who in gay activism for the last 15 to 20 years," he said.

Glover told Family News in Focus that shining a light on homosexuals in public office is all part of a grander plan.

"This is just another example of homosexual activists wanting to push their private, immoral behavior into the public realm and make a statement with it," he said. "What we're seeing now is a willingness to codify those cultural norms that are emerging into law."

That may be one reason for a conference on how to "come out" and still get elected to office. Caleb H. Price, a social research analyst for Focus on the Family Action, said getting more homosexuals elected translates into more gay-friendly legislation.

"With these conferences and workshops that the gay political activists are putting on, what we're seeing is an attempt to deemphasize sexuality and train them how to not be a one issue candidate," he said.

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