While it's counterintuitive that LGBTQ conservatives exist, they do. Understanding them a bit better will ultimately help us counter their messaging and improve the chances to further LGBTQ rights.
There actually *should* be LGBTQ conservatives — we should present in all facets of the political spectrum. However, the current version of mainstream American conservative thought is, as you say, Republican and opposed to LGBTQ interests, which makes it non-viable for people who might identify a "conservative" to be willing to do so.
(On the flip side, current LGBTQ orthodoxy dictates that all LGBTQ folks must be on the liberal side and toe the line on a whole raft of issues or they are "bad gays" [bad whatevers]. A lot of people can't stand that — being attacked for any variance from the party line — any more than the other side, so they either shut up and drop away, or they act out.)
Neither side is willing for there to be a continuum of thought.
Good observations. I'm curious though, how might one be conservative today, which in my mind translates directly to voting for Republicans in the current conservative ethos landscape, and be able to say your vote was in favor of LGBTQ rights and not against those rights?
There actually *should* be LGBTQ conservatives — we should present in all facets of the political spectrum. However, the current version of mainstream American conservative thought is, as you say, Republican and opposed to LGBTQ interests, which makes it non-viable for people who might identify a "conservative" to be willing to do so.
(On the flip side, current LGBTQ orthodoxy dictates that all LGBTQ folks must be on the liberal side and toe the line on a whole raft of issues or they are "bad gays" [bad whatevers]. A lot of people can't stand that — being attacked for any variance from the party line — any more than the other side, so they either shut up and drop away, or they act out.)
Neither side is willing for there to be a continuum of thought.
Good observations. I'm curious though, how might one be conservative today, which in my mind translates directly to voting for Republicans in the current conservative ethos landscape, and be able to say your vote was in favor of LGBTQ rights and not against those rights?