On The End Of GOProud

Tim Mak writes at the Daily Beast:

Reports began trickling out in the press this week that GOProud had decided to close up shop. In truth, the original organization functionally folded a year ago, The Daily Beast has learned. And the attempts to reboot GOProud are being actively mocked by the men who founded the group. The decline of GOProud is a prime example of what happens to an organization that rises to prominence through confrontation—and never bothers to do the grunt work needed to sustain the outfit, once the outrage dies down. It was feisty and controversial—a Tea Party, of sorts, to the more establishment-minded Log Cabin Republicans. It was an organization running on a shoestring budget that elbowed its way into the conservative conversation. [snip] For many supporters of GOProud, being called a “troll” was a badge of honor. Their goal from the start was to plant a flag in the ground: There are gay conservatives, and here we are. Others, even those sympathetic to the group, accused it of being a vanity project for its cofounders, Christopher Barron and Jimmy LaSalvia, a platform for the two to pick fights.

Nailed it. Read the full piece. (Tipped by JMG reader Robin)

The End Of GOProud

Two days ago Bilerico posted a report that GOProud was closing down to "rebrand" under a new name. That claim spawned furious denials from various GOProud members on social media. Yesterday Bilerico posted an update:

After Andrew Markle's story yesterday that the far-right conservative LGBT group GOProud was shutting down, the organization's leadership took to Facebook to deny the reporting saying, "Nothing could be further from the truth" and "GOProud is not closing. It is growing." Today, however, the group confirmed it plans to kill the GOProud brand and will attempt to reorganize as a grassroots online organization with a new name. "I posted what I had to on Facebook so I wouldn't scare our members and thwart our fundraising efforts," Executive Director Matthew Bechstein told Bilerico Project in an exclusive interview. "I wanted to mitigate a disaster." "We're leaving GOProud behind and re-branding the chapters." While yesterday's Facebook posting originally denied the report saying it was "misinformation" and the work of someone "that will stop at nothing to discredit our organization and its leadership team," when presented with quotes he had made to Markle during a previous interview, Bechstein admitted that GOProud would soon cease to exist.

Last night GOProud responded publicly on its website:

“The truth is, GOProud has had some preliminary discussions about rebranding. That is, changing our name. As with any organization- when new challenges arise, we react with necessary adjustments.” Said Matthew Bechstein, Executive Director of GOProud. “There have been concerns among our members and investors, about whether or not we can continue to grow and be effective without severing ourselves from past controversies. Nonetheless, at this point nothing has been decided. We are still discussing all the possibilities, and would be months away from instituting any real changes. “The fact is, in order to continue promoting the conservative principles upon which this organization was founded, change is needed. One of the changes under discussion is a switch to a different legal type of organization- basic paperwork that requires dissolution and immediate subsequent reorganization. Technically, as some argue, this would be a legal “closure.” But if it were to actually happen, it would only be momentary and certainly not the end of our organization. Rather, I would see it as progress- making the necessary adjustments that allow us to fulfill our goals.”

Those "past controversies" likely include several incidents of faked anti-gay hate crimes.

Caption This

A couple of days ago I posted a portion of the anti-GOProud flyer being handed out at CPAC by the red-caped Catholic loons of Tradition, Family, and Property. Above is the full cartoon that was used on the flyer, in which we see that the GOProud rainbow beaver is gnawing on Ronald Reagan's stool. Make your jokes accordingly.

CPAC Flyer For Red-Caped Catholic Loons Depicts GOProud As Rainbow Beaver

The red-caped Catholic loons of Tradition, Family, & Property are handing out a flyer at CPAC that depicts GOProud as a rainbow-hued beaver gnawing at one of the supporting legs of conservatism. Or something. Via Peter Montgomery at Right Wing Watch:

TFP’s flyer says it protests against GOProud’s efforts to “cast itself as a bone fide member of the conservative movement.” TFP believes: "To be true to itself, the conservative movement must battle on all three conservative fronts (defense, fiscal, and social). That individuals and organizations who subscribe to only one or two of the conservative movement’s three legs are still welcome to join the coalition, but should refrain from publicly opposing the rest of the movement’s efforts on the leg or legs they disagree on." TFP says welcoming GOProud into the conservative movement would be like a communist or socialist organization seeking admittance to the conservative movement by claiming to be against abortion. As part of the evidence that TFP marshals to prove that GOProud is not conservative, it notes that the group’s website says it encourages “committed stable, relationships between two people, regardless of sexual orientation, that promote healthy families and create value within our society.” Mercy!

After two years of being banned, this year GOProud was able to buy regular tickets to attend, but they were not allowed to speak on any panels or have a booth. 

Homocon Cat Fight

Barron resigned from GOProud last week after the group was allowed to return to CPAC after two years of being banned. If anybody here has the above-cited email, please forward it to me.

UPDATE: Here's the email.

Dear Friends, On Tuesday GOProud sent out a statement encouraging Governor Jan Brewer to veto Arizona Senate Bill 1062, which would have legalized the discrimination of gay individuals. Today, we are proud to share with you the news that the Governor Brewer has vetoed that legislation. It is because of supporters like you that the message of freedom is reaching conservative leaders all across America. Governor Brewer's decision reinforced the voices of several influential Republicans like Senator John McCain, Senator Jeff Flake, Governor Mitt Romney, Governor Rick Scott, and Speaker Newt Gingrich, who all spoke out against SB 1062, just like we did. This is no small victory. GOProud's mission is one that is being characterized by many of our Party leaders. Together, we are entering a modern Republican era, where the principles of conservatism are celebrated by all Americans. Please take this opportunity to extend your congratulations to our friends in Arizona, express your gratitude for the courage and conviction of leaders like Governor Jan Brewer, and continue supporting the important work we do here at GOProud.

Chris Barron Resigns From GOProud

GOProud founder Chris Barron is furious about the deal in which CPAC has invited the group back to attend this year after two years of being banned. Last night he resigned from GOProud's board of directors. Chris Geidner reports at Buzzfeed:

“Last night I resigned from the Board of GOProud, the organization that I co-founded back in April of 2009. I cannot in good conscience sit by and watch as the current leadership of the organization disingenuously pawns off an unconditional surrender to the forces of bigotry as some sort of ‘compromise,’” Barron told BuzzFeed. “Nothing has changed in regards to GOProud and CPAC, GOProud does not have a booth, they are not a sponsor, they are not participating in any formal sense – individual members can attend and that’s exactly the terms ACU dictated the previous few years.” In fact, the National Journal states as much, noting, “Two former GOProud summer interns, Ross Hemminger and Matt Bechstein, took over last summer and sought to repair the bitterly frayed relationship. Under a compromise reached last week, they will attend the March 6-8 gathering as guests, without sponsorship or a booth.”

In 2011 Barron stepped down as GOProud president. Last month GOProud co-founder Jimmy LaSalvia left the Republican Party entirely.

CPAC To Welcome Back GOProud

GOProud will return to CPAC next month after two years of being banned. But they won't be allowed to have a booth or sign on as a sponsor. Via the National Journal:

The dispute with GOProud dates back to 2011, when a number of socially conservative groups, including the Heritage Foundation and the Family Research Council, objected to the group's involvement and declined to participate. Insults were traded between GOProud leaders and ACU board members, culminating in the group's exclusion. Two former GOProud summer interns, Ross Hemminger and Matt Bechstein, took over last summer and sought to repair the bitterly frayed relationship. Under a compromise reached last week, they will attend the March 6-8 gathering as guests, without sponsorship or a booth. GOProud sees the lower-profile role as an important first step. "We really just want to be part of the conservative movement," said Hemminger, a veteran of the losing Senate campaigns by Scott Brown and Gabriel Gomez in Massachusetts. "We want to establish a fruitful and respectful relationship." Dan Schneider, executive director of the ACU, praised the GOProud directors for their "new vision" of promoting conservative principles from gun rights to opposition to abortion. "We welcome GOProud's attendance at this year's CPAC conference," Schneider said in an e-mail. "I believe their presence could help establish a productive relationship in the future."

Also attending this year: Rick Santorum, Ted Cruz, Rand Paul, Chris Christie, Donald Trump, Bobby Jindal, Marco Rubio, Rick Perry, Mike Huckabee, Sarah Palin, Newt Gingrich, Jim DeMint and many, many more anti-gay crazies.

HomoQuotable - Jimmy LaSalvia

"Today, I joined the ranks of unaffiliated voters. I am every bit as conservative as I’ve always been, but I just can’t bring myself to carry the Republican label any longer. You see, I just don’t agree with the big-government ‘conservatives’ who run the party now. The other reason I am leaving is the tolerance of bigotry in the GOP. The current leadership lacks the courage to stand up to it – I’m not sure they ever will. I have worked hard to help to create an atmosphere on the right where conservatives can openly support gay Americans and even support same-sex marriage. In that effort, we have won, but there is more work to do to root out the anti-gay and other forms of bigotry in the party. So, now I feel huge sense of freedom. I am an independent conservative. That sounds much better than ‘gay Republican.’" - Former GOProud president Jimmy LaSalvia, writing on his blog. (Tipped by JMG reader Alan)

Teabagistan Vs GOProud

"Jimmy LaSalvia of or formerly of GOProud is on Facebook letting everyone know Ken Cuccinelli is the 2013 equivalent of David Duke. Because two dudes not being able to buy a china pattern together is the same as not being able to vote, being forced to use separate bathrooms, and being attacked by fire hoses and dogs in the streets. His GOProud partner, Chris Barron went on twitter to declare he voted in Virginia for the Democrat, Terry McAuliffe. When I have pointed out before that GOProud really isn’t a part of the Republican coalition, I was met with calls of homophobia. But they have never been a part of the coalition. It’s worth remembering that today the founders of GOProud equate a small government conservative to a Grand Dragon of the KKK because his Christian faith is, in their mind, equivalent to the Klan. It’s also worth pointing out that folks affiliated with this group have routinely assailed conservatives for their purity tests — conservatives who routinely vote in the general election for the Republican; an action they themselves won’t do." - Erick Erickson, writing for Red State.

Tweet Of The Day - Jimmy LaSalvia

Does he think we forgot that GOProud endorsed Romney?

GOProud To Capital One: Fire Alec Baldwin

Led by former GOProud head Jimmy LaSalvia, two dozen wingnuts outfits are calling on Capital One to fire Alec Baldwin for "homophobic speech."

“We urge all Americans to ask themselves, ‘What’s in your wallet?’ We hope they will reject Alec Baldwin’s homophobia by cutting up those Capital One cards in their wallets,” said gay conservative strategist and GOProud co-founder Jimmy LaSalvia of RightWingNews.com.

Joining LaSalvia in spearheading the effort with his colleague at RightWingNews.com, John Hawkins. LaSalvia and Hawkins issued an open letter signed by several prominent conservatives to Capital One CEO Richard Fairbank. The group has also launched an online petition.

“It's still a free country and Alec Baldwin can do as much gay bashing as he likes on Twitter, but it's hard to understand why Capital One would choose to publicly condone his homophobia by keeping Baldwin on as its spokesman,” said Hawkins. “If Capital One is not going to do the right thing, then Capital One doesn’t deserve our business.”

Other homocons signing the letter are Log Cabin head Gregory Angelo, fired Romney advisor Richard Grenell, and Gay Patriot blogger Bruce Carroll.

REMINDER: LaSalvia doesn't mind anti-gay epithets when they come from HIM.  Here's a blast from the past.

Tweet Of The Day - Ann Coulter

ACLU Hires Jimmy LaSalvia

Homocon Jimmy LaSalvia has landed a new gig after leaving GOProud earlier this year.

As part of the broad-based effort to involve conservatives in the movement to encourage the freedom to marry, the ACLU has hired conservative strategist Jimmy LaSalvia. LaSalvia is the founder and former executive director of GOProud and will work with the ACLU to do outreach to gay conservatives, particularly within the Tea Party. "The Republican party stands for freedom, for limited government intrusion in our personal lives and for freedom," said Schmidt. "The issue of marriage equality is the Republican Party’s best chance to stand on the right side of history, create a meaningful legacy of fairness, and maintain relevance with young voters. I am proud to help the ACLU make all couples equal in the eyes of the law in all 50 states."

We can only presume that the ACLU was unaware of LaSalvia's history of promoting faked anti-gay hate crimes that he blamed on the gay left.

Tweet Of The Day - GOProud

Homocon Tweet Of The Day

Wanna Be Head Of GOProud?

They're taking applications.

After 4 years as GOProud's full-time executive director, GOProud Co-Founder Jimmy LaSalvia announced that he will leave that position at the end of June 2013. GOProud's Board of Directors has begun a search for a new executive director. Those interested in applying for the position should send their resume, a cover letter, and a writing sample to Lisa De Pasquale, Board Chair, at info@goproud.org.

Please list your qualifications. Be specific, cite examples, show your work.

GOProud Leaders Step Down

Co-founders Jimmy LaSalvia and Chris Barron are stepping down as the leaders of GOProud, but claim that the homocon group will go on and thrive without them at the helm.  Chris Geidner reports at Buzzfeed:

"It's time. We don't want it to get stale," LaSalvia said, who along with Barron founded GOProud four years ago as a more conservative, grassroots alternative to the Log Cabin Republicans. "The reason why GOProud has been so successful is because we have brought new ideas and new energy to the arena. At some point, what was the outside-the-box thinking all of the sudden becomes the box, and so now, that's the way that GOProud does things. It's our box. It seems crazy to everyone else, but, for us, it's like standard operating procedure. It's time for someone else to come in and shake things up," Barron added.

Both are remaining on GOProud's board of directors. The group is seeking a new executive director. I'm betting that without the regular news-making asshattery from LaSalvia and Barron, GOProud will just fade away. Another upside: fewer faked hate crimes.

Homocon Bruce Carroll: No 2014 Senate Run Because Of Danger From Gay Leftists

Former GOProud board member and Gay Patriot blogger Bruce Carroll announced tonight that he will not, after all, be running against Sen. Lindsey Graham in 2014 because he is worried about his safety from "the gay left."

The bottom line is that my partner John and I made a mutual decision that we didn’t want our entire lives invaded in a way that we couldn’t control. On the show tonight, I discuss the fact that a gay leftist activist harassed me at my place of private employment in 2005 shortly after this blog was born. My job was in jeopardy for a while then and other people at my company of employment were threatened. The magnitude of those type of attacks would only have increased exponentially had I chosen to move into a role seeking public office. The Gay Left concerns me the most; I’ve witnessed good people’s lives and families destroyed over public policy differences. They are beyond the pale.

Carroll adds that his concerns intensified earlier this month when a mysterious unmarked van lurked outside his house shortly after this year's CPAC.  Undoubtedly, that van was packed with dangerous long-haired gay leftists on their way to a warehouse alcohol party. 

Honorary GOProud Chair Ann Coulter: We All Have To Pay For Sodomy

Via Mediaite:

During what was supposed to be a debate about NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg's various "public health" laws — indoor smoking bans, hidden cigarette displays by mandate, bans on large sugary beverages, etc. — Ann Coulter attempted to flip the "liberal nannying" logic upside-down by bringing up illegitimacy, sodomy, AIDS, and gay bathhouses.  Suffice it to say the segment went off the rails. And did so quickly.

Gay Patriot Falls For Limbaugh "Prank"

Gay Patriot blogger, former GOProud board member, and possible 2014 US Senate candidate Bruce Carroll caused a minor uproar in Teabagistan yesterday with the above tweet that repeated a story he'd heard on Rush Limbaugh's radio show.

“You want to hear something totally outrageous?” Limbaugh asked before revealing his big scoop about the popular movie-streaming service. He went on to explain that Netflix has decided to raise all users’ monthly charge in order to “pay for those who can’t afford it.” He predicted that people “are not going to put up with that.” After a break, Limbaugh declared, “Mission partially accomplished.” He admitted that “Netflix is not raising their prices for any reason. I made that up to see what kind of reaction that it would get because I’m trying to illustrate a point here.” What exactly that point was, was not immediately clear.

Limbaugh's alleged "point" probably had something to do with our commie, socialist, Kenyan president. That Carroll fell for it and went apeshit on Twitter is the only amusing part. Netflix stock closed slightly down yesterday, causing some to suggest filing a "prank" lawsuit against Limbaugh.