By Hunter Walker 9/04/12 7:15pm

Love & Marriage

Gary Bauer (Photo: Getty)

Gary Bauer’s Anti-Same Sex Marriage Super PAC Campaign Against Obama is Just Getting Started

CHARLOTTE, NC — Evangelist leader Gary Bauer told Politicker his pro-Romney super PAC, Campaign for American Values, won’t just be running one ad attacking President Barack Obama for supporting same sex marriage. Mr. Bauer says the “New Morning” ad is only running in North Carolina during the Democratic National Convention, but that commercial just the beginning of a larger campaign aimed at using the President’s position on gay marriage to drive votes to Mitt Romney in several crucial swing states.

“We plan on running that ad and others like it in a number of swing states,” said Mr. Bauer.  Read More

By Hunter Walker 8/06/12 9:19am

food fight

Russell Gallo (Photo: Twitter)

Assembly Candidate Encourages Chick-Fil-A To Come To Brooklyn

New York’s only branch of the controversial fried chicken sandwich chain Chick-Fil-A is located in an NYU cafeteria, but if a self-proclaimed Tea Partier running for State Assembly has his way  the restaurant will soon set up shop in South Brooklyn. As a response to City Council Speaker Christine Quinn’s letter asking NYU to close the campus Chick-Fil-A after the owner of the chain declared his opposition to same-sex marriage, Mr. Gallo sent a letter of his own. Mr. Gallo wrote to Dan Cathy, the president of Chick-Fil-A, saying, “I would like to invite your company to consider opening a Chick-Fil-A restaurant in southern Brooklyn.”

“I want you to know that Ms. Quinn does not speak for all New Yorkers. I and many of my neighbors agree with your views on traditional family units. But more importantly, I’m sure we all could agree that no one in government should tell anyone what to believe, who to support and how to spend our money,” Mr. Gallo wrote. Read More

By Hunter Walker 5:22pm

Family Ties

Mitt Romney

Mitt Romney Believes Children Are Better Off With Straight Parents

Mitt Romney made a speech via satellite at the Faith and Freedom Coalition Saturday morning in which he reiterated his view that children are better off growing up with hetereosexual parents.

“We need to strengthen the commitment that exists in this country to family. I hope to be able to talk to young people and tell them how important it is to get married before they have children because the opportunity for a mom and a dad to help guide the life of a child gives them such an enormous advantage in their lives going forward,” Mr. Romney said.

The Politicker reached out to the Romney campaign to see whether they felt a child could equally benefit from the guidance provided by a gay couple. Ryan Williams, a spokesman for Mr. Romney, said it is the candidate’s long held belief children are better off with straight parents. Read More

By Colin Campbell 10:06am

don't send her the invite

The three candidates last night.

Wendy Long Would Refuse to Attend A Gay Wedding

The three candidates seeking the Republican nomination to challenge Democratic Senator Kirsten Gillibrand debated last night and several interesting moments came up when discussing the same sex marriage New York enacted last year.

Notably, when one of the candidates, Wendy Long, faced a question as to whether she would, on principle, refuse to attend a same-sex wedding, she answered with a firm “yes.”

The line of questioning appeared to move on before George Maragos could answer the question, but for his part, Bob Turner said, “I would not refuse, no.” Read More

By Colin Campbell 6/05/12 3:29pm

frisky business

(Photo: Wikimedia)

LGBT Pols to Rally Against Stop-and-Frisk

At a news conference taking place later today to push for reforms to the NYPD’s stop-and-frisk policy, a plethora of LGBT elected officials and candidates will be sending their support as well. Joining advocates at the historic Stonewall Inn will be Council Speaker Christine Quinn, representatives from every gay or lesbian council member in the city, and Assemblyman Matt Titone.

The press conference in many ways represents the expanding base of support advocates against stop-and-frisk have been able to accumulate. Previously, support for changing the NYPD tactic was generally confined to elected officials in — or seeking to represent — the black and Latino communities that are most affected by the policy. Read More

By Hunter Walker 5/30/12 9:03am

Media Criticism

ron-paul-IOWA

Ron Paul Campaign Wants Media To Stop Treating Their Supporters Like Gay Men In ‘Leather Tutus’ And ‘Motorcycling Dykes’

Ron Paul’s official campaign website published a copy of a Minnesota Star Tribune op-ed by “Ron Paul activist and delegate” Craig Westover yesterday in which Mr. Westover argue media coverage of the “fringe of the Ron Paul movement” is akin to focusing on “the remnants of the gay-rights fringe,” which he describes as “shirtless hunks in leather tutus and motorcycling ‘Dykes on Bikes.’”

“Shirtless hunks in leather tutus and motorcycling ‘Dykes on Bikes’ are no longer the point of the gay-rights spear,” Mr. Westover wrote. “It’s the gay lawyer/gay accountant, lesbian legislator/lesbian physician–same-sex couples with kids and fundamental concerns about faith, family and freedom–who are now the face of the movement. Focusing commentary on the remnants of the gay-rights fringe is something the media would never do.” Read More

By Hunter Walker 5/23/12 1:15pm

Newsweek's cover calling President Obama "the first gay president."

President Obama’s LGBT Task Force Isn’t Worried His Support For Gay Marriage Will Hurt His Re-Election Bid

Today, the Obama campaign announced the launch of “Obama Pride: LGBT Americans for Obama.” To mark the occasion, Obama For America LGBT National Vote Director Jamie Citron, National Campaign Co-Chair Joe Solmonese and campaign spokeswoman Clo Ewing held a conference call with reporters in which The Politicker asked them about recent polls, specifically one in Florida, showing President Barack Obama’s recent announcement in support of same sex marriage may hurt his chances of re-election. Both Ms. Ewing and Mr. Solmonese said they’re not concerned about the president’s gay marriage stance having a negative impact at the polls in November.

“I’d point to a couple different things; I’d point to the fact that there’ve been a number of polls that have come out, I haven’t seen that specific Florida poll that you’re referencing, but there have been a number of national polls that have come out since the president’s statement on marriage equality,” Ms. Ewing said. “What those polls show, are … more people supporting same sex marriage than before and … pointing to the fact that same sex marriage or marriage equality is not the first, second, third, or even fourth most important issue to them as they think about November and they head in to the ballot box.” Read More

By Hunter Walker 5/14/12 12:17pm

media

Newsweek's cover calling President Obama "the first gay president."

White House Dodges Question on Obama’s Controversial Newsweek Cover

In a gaggle with reporters aboard Air Force One this morning, White House Press Secretary Jay Carney was asked about the controversial Newsweek cover depicting President Barack Obama with a rainbow halo and identifying him as the “First Gay President.” Mr. Carney said he wasn’t sure whether the president was aware of the cover.

“I don’t know if he’s seen it and I haven’t spoken to him about it,” he said. Read More

By Hunter Walker 5/12/12 12:14pm

Love & Marriage

Mitt Romney (Photo: Getty)

Mitt Romney Praises Anti-Gay Activists In Commencement Speech

In a commencement speech at Liberty University  this morning Mitt Romney praised anti-gay pastor Jerry Falwell and the founder of Chick-fil-A, a fast food chain that has donated millions to anti-gay groups. Falwell, who passed away in 2007, was the founder of Liberty University and an outspoken opponent of homosexuality.

“In his 73 years of life, Dr. Falwell left a big mark,” Mr. Romney said today. “The calling Jerry answered was not an easy one.  Today we remember him as a courageous and big-hearted minister of the Gospel who never feared an argument, and never hated an adversary.  Jerry deserves the tribute he would have treasured most, as a cheerful, confident champion for Christ.” Read More

By Hunter Walker 5/10/12 3:44pm

Ch-ch-ch-changes

President Barack Obama (Photo: Getty)

Jay Carney Describes President Obama’s ‘Evolution’ on Gay Marriage

President Barack Obama infamously said he decided to make his big announcement in support of gay marriage yesterday after “evolving” on the issue. White House Press Secretary Jay Carney briefed reporters aboard Air Force One this afternoon as the president flew to Seattle for a brief visit prior to his fundraiser this evening at George Clooney’s house near Los Angeles. During that briefing, Mr. Carney (sort of) explained when the president decided to express support for same sex marriage.

“I don’t have a specific date for you. … This was not a policy debate within the White House or the administration. This was a personal decision about his personal views,” Mr. Carney said. Read More