Burnt Orange Report

August 17, 2003

Is Ahnold anti-gay?

By Byron LaMasters

I don't know if the Ahnold hype will start to die down now that its been a week, and polls are begining to show the he's vulnerable. But, one thing is for certain. The attacks are already coming in from all sides. One of the reasons Ahnold has a chance to win in California is because of his supposed liberalism on social issues. Ahnold is pro-choice, pro-gay rights and pro-gun control. So he says. The gay media (in Dallas, so I would assume the same in California) has already picked up on reports of Ahnold's past anti-gay comments. From the Dallas Voice:

California gubernatorial candidate and movie star Arnold Schwarzenegger was the target of a campaign by the early ’90s activist group Queer Nation, which accused him of homophobia.

Speaking at a George Bush campaign rally at Pinkerton military academy in Derry, N.H., on Feb. 15, 1992, Schwarzenegger said: “We don’t talk about those Democrats. I watched that debate and they all looked like a bunch of girlie men.”

Queer Nation denounced Schwarzenegger as a “bigot” and a “blatant homophobe,” and charged his attitude underscored “the anti-gay agenda of the Bush/Quayle campaign.”

“Once again, Bush’s henchmen divide the nation by promoting hatred of a minority — the queer community,” Queer Nation spokesman Tim McCarthy said at the time.

“It sickens me to see the president of the United States endorse homophobia and advocate anti-gay violence,” added the group’s Stephen Smith.
There is no evidence Queer Nation took any action against Schwarzenegger other than issuing a press release.

This of course begs the question. Should gay leaders give Ahnold a pass on insensitive comments the way that they did with the supposedly insensitive comments of Pete Stark? I don't know. On the surface it seems similar. Looking at it further, Democrats could argue that while Stark has a 100% lifetime rating with the Human Rights Campaign, Ahnold's comments were made as he was campaigning to elect anti-gay Republicans. So is it a fair attack? I'd say so. I think it could make for a very nice radio ad in the San Francisco or LA market... "Arnold Schwarzenegger says that he'll support gay rights, but he's called Democrats 'girlie men' in the past to help elect anti-gay Republicans...". Or mailers in certain areas. Or ads in the gay media. Although, the story will probably make its rounds through the gay media for free.

I think it goes without saying, but while I really like Georgy Russell and Larry Flynt, in all seriousness, I strongly advocate that everyone in California vote "No on Recall, Yes on Bustamante". Take your instuctions from Kos.

Posted by Byron LaMasters at August 17, 2003 04:10 PM | TrackBack

Comments

I wonder if Queer Nation is a very legitimate source for accusations of "homophobia" - and no self-respecting Republican any longer supports Ahnuld...but in any case why would you prefer a MECHa racist - Bustamante?

Posted by: Mark Harden at August 17, 2003 09:23 PM

Girlie men means that Arnold is 'anti-gay'? That's his Saturday Night Live spoof character, remember Hans and Franz?

Posted by: TX Pundit at August 17, 2003 10:00 PM

Thank you TX Pundit...I wish people would stop to think before shooting of their mouths. That still is one of the all time funniest SNL skits.

Posted by: el_longhorn at August 18, 2003 12:27 AM

Let's see, the Hans and Franz skit was a parody of Arnold and a macho-homophobic culture.

I support gay rights and feminist issues, but I think accusations like this just cry "wolf." Show evidence of an invidious action against gays or a consistent pattern.

Posted by: Tx Bubba at August 18, 2003 11:15 AM

It's about time a polititian had the guts to tell it like it is. That's very rare in this day and age. You can't be afraid of what every group in America is going to think about what you have to say. If you did then you couldn't say anything. I'm a girl,and Gov.Schwarzenegger's remark didn't offend me in the least,Infact I wanted to give the man a hand. I'ts called free speach. Get over it.

Posted by: B.P.W. at July 19, 2004 10:07 AM

It's about time a polititian had the guts to tell it like it is. That's very rare in this day and age. You can't be afraid of what every group in America is going to think about what you have to say. If you did then you couldn't say anything. I'm a girl,and Gov.Schwarzenegger's remark didn't offend me in the least. Infact I wanted to give the man a hand. I'ts called free speach. Get over it.

Posted by: B.P.W. at July 19, 2004 10:08 AM

Check out the dates on the posts, this current time is not the first time that he has used the phrase.

"Let's see, the Hans and Franz skit was a parody of Arnold and a macho-homophobic culture."

Exactly, that was comedy, exaggerated for effect,

but now we have the real life govenor who uses that phrase seriously, outside of a comedy show.

I'm all for free speech, he can say whatever he wants, but what you say tells me who you are.

Anyone can walk around calling women 'bitches' and 'ho's, it's their Constiutional right, but they won't be dating MY sister, he can call legislators girlie-men , all he wants, but I ain't voting for him. (Yup, I live in California)

Posted by: Chrisfs at July 19, 2004 01:47 PM

Isn't it absurd that this issue is even worth discussing. The iconic pop culture phrase that Arnold used didn't get any protests when it was frequently repeated on SNL, did it?

And by the way, every rational human being knows that the reference is about men who are wimps, not gay!

Posted by: NickV at July 20, 2004 11:13 AM

Isn't it absurd that this issue is even worth discussing. The iconic pop culture phrase that Arnold used didn't get any protests when it was frequently repeated on SNL, did it?

And by the way, every rational human being knows that the reference is about men who are wimps, not gay!

Posted by: NickV at July 20, 2004 11:14 AM

News, Politics, and Fun From Deep in the Heart of Texas

August 17, 2003

Is Ahnold anti-gay?

By Byron LaMasters