Log Cabinites Defend Sarah And Her 'Choice' Remark

(From Page One Q)

The Log Cabin Republicans, who have endorsed Senator McCain for president, have defended Alaska Governor and running mate Sarah Palin after she told CBS' Katie Couric in an interview aired Tuesday night about a longtime friend of hers and the "choice" that person made to be gay.

"I am not going to judge Americans and the decisions that they make in their adult lives," Palin said. "I have one of my absolute best friends for the last 30 years happens to be gay, and I love her dearly. And she is not my 'gay friend,' she is one of my best friends, who happens to have made a choice that isn't a choice that I have made. But I am not going to judge people."

"In this interview, Gov. Palin expressed her support for a gay friend of 30 years and reiterated that she doesn't judge people," opened the Log Cabin Republicans' communications director Scott Tucker in a statement to Think Progress. "She said she's 'not going to judge Americans and the decisions they make in their adult personal relationships.' Frankly, I think that's where most Americans are in their attitude toward gay and lesbian people.

"Gov. Palin didn't ramble uncomfortably about a 'lifestyle' or use the opportunity to reiterate her opposition to marriage for gay couples. She didn't use the opportunity to express opposition to any gay rights legislation. Gay Democrats are pouncing on her use of the word 'choice' in talking about gay people. But, when asked the direct question by Charlie Gibson in a previous interview whether people choose to be gay, she said she didn't know. Again, I think that's where the vast majority of Americans are on this issue-they simply don’t know whether people choose to be gay.

"We know that people don't 'choose' their sexual orientation and we'll continue educating all Republicans about that issue."

Some residents of Wasilla, Alaska, of which Palin was formerly the mayor, say that she is no friend of gays. In a recent video segment produced by the Human Rights Campaign, available to view below, LGBT Alaskans recalled their personal experiences with the Governor and shared their fears of the prospect of Palin as Vice President, and possibly, President. Palin has come under fire over questions she asked the town's librarian over censorship of books, including those with LGBT themes, and her involvement with the fundamentalist Assembly of God Church, whose influence she helped spread in the community.

"She comes from a religious ideology and a church organization that supports conversion therapy, or 'reparative therapy,' and as a therapist," said Dr. Markie Blumer, "the thought of someone at that high a level who supports that is terrifying."

"She does the same thing as a governor for the state [as when she was mayor], and it scares the crap out of me what might happen if she becomes Vice President," said Wasillan Jaime Rodriguez, "because she'll do it to the country. I think she's worse than Dick Cheney... and a better shot."