Pro Choice

Believe it or not, there is a quote from Katie Couric's interview of Sarah Palin that has eluded most of us. Talking about gay folk, Palin remarked:

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, um, isn't a choice that I have made. But I'm not gonna judge people.*

Of course she has gay friends. I'll betcha she's got Black, Latino and Asian friends. We all know she married an Inuit (right). And no doubt she loves the sinner not the sin. Where to begin?

How can she claim to love her friend dearly when she consistently spews "Christian truths" that continue to alienate, hurt and even cause her gay sisters and brothers in Christ to be brutally beaten and murdered? When her record as governor has been nothing but inimical to lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgendered individuals?

As a gubernatorial candidate, Palin put her views in black and white, on a questionnaire from Eagle Forum Alaska, a conservative, "pro-family" and anti-gay group. She wrote that she would not support the expansion of hate crimes laws as well as domestic partner benefits for same-sex couples of state employees. Among her top priorities if elected governor was an anti-marriage equality initiative.

Then as governor, the fiscal conservative did not hesitate to waste taxpayers' money so as to spread her message of hate. After Alaska's high court ruled unconstitutional the denial of benefits to domestic partners of state employees, Palin put the issue on a ballot for a nonbinding advisory vote. It was the only issue up for vote and the exercise cost Alaskans over a million dollars. While the measure passed, the state legislature did the right thing by not heeding the public's opinion and deciding not to take any more steps toward overturning the court's decision.

Now as McCain's running mate she sows hate and divisiveness while stumping for votes. It is chilling how she is appealing to the fear and ignorance of her followers, rousing the basest of instincts and passions. Her arrogance and hubris serves as warning of another W. and Cheney all rolled into one dangerous unblinking demagogue.

As for her BFF making a choice, she is correct. The woman did make a courageous choice, not to be gay, but to accept who she is and to live in openness, honesty and integrity. Being gay is not a choice. Being a bigot is.

I'd like to meet this beloved friend of Sarah Palin and ask how close they really are and why she would choose to associate with that one.

*Source: Metroweekly, October 2, 2008, p.66.

Photo: Stephen Nowers, Anchorage Daily News.