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Updated Monday, 4:31 p.m. PST
Shockingly (read: not shockingly), not everyone was thrilled by Rep. Eric Cantor's suprising call for tolerance within the Republican party towards the LGBT community.
Mega-hate group, the Family Research Council lashed out against what they're describing as "taxpayer-funded culturcide."
See what they have to say after the jump.
The Family Research Council states:
"This misguided tolerance leads both political parties to embrace H.R. 6019, legislation introduced by Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (R-Texas) (ironically one of the biggest bullies in Congress) that seeks to continue a slush fund at the Justice Department by federalizing “bullying.” This bill would very likely fund the Dan Savages of the world to go after the Dan Cathy’s of the world. That isn’t tolerance – that is taxpayer-funded culturcide. It is Rep. Cantor remarks on his own party though that seems to indicate it is the wrong kind of tolerance he is supporting. A party needs to stand for something or it stands for nothing. Is Rep. Cantor saying that if a Member of Congress was an avowed socialist they would embrace them? One would hope not. Party platforms need to mean something and should be guidelines for anyone wishing to join or work for that party. If your ideas and stances are good ones and you are consistent in your beliefs people will embrace you – otherwise your majority will go away even quicker then the last one did."
Personally we'd love to see the Republican party exhibit more "misguided tolerance" (at least of this sort). Hopefully they'll wear their earmuffs while this hate group continues to rant.
(Hat Tip: Joe. My. God.)
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Original Post
Notably anti-gay House Majority Leader Eric Cantor seems to understand the public perception regarding Republicans and the gay community is less than stellar.
While Cantor has voted consistently against pro-LGBT legislation (he voted against the repeal of DADT, supports a proposed constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage, opposes LGBT employment protections, and voted against extending hate crime protections to the LGBT community), he's apparently now advocating for a kinder, gentler, more inclusive GOP.
More after the jump.
Rep. Cantor tells Buzzfeed, “I think an even bigger issue than that, from a cultural standpoint, is the acceptance of diversity. And the acceptance of diversity of opinion,” Cantor said, explaining that while he may have is own personal opinions on morality or religion, 'at some point we’re all here as Americans and we all have to be appreciative of other people’s views.'
'And it’s that tolerance, I think that that tolerance is something that enables people to be passionate about their positions. And if you’re for gay marriage, this country allows you to express your views. Some states support it and allow it, and others don’t. But its ok to have that difference of opinion in that,' he said.
When asked if the Republican Party specifically needs to do a better job of accepting opinions on gay marriage and other cultural issues that do not align with party orthodoxy, Cantor said 'absolutely.'
'I’ve always said we need to be a party of inclusion not exclusion,” Cantor said. “We need to be promoting tolerance and, you know, as someone who is a religious minority, I sort of grew up with having that mindset, knowing full well that I am in a very distinct way from a religious background, separate and apart from the mainstream of this country.'"
It's interesting, Cantor certainly talks a good game, but we'd like to see some action behind all of the rhetoric.
How about a few votes towards actual LGBT inclusive policies?
What do you think, Instincters? Is Rep. Cantor being genuine or is this just lip service?
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