My Republican Precinct Convention
I had been wavering all day long as to whether I'd go to this. But after writing a nice blog, and finishing up pretty much 40 minutes before the specified meeting time, I decided to go.
I was glad that I didn't blow it off.
In Texas, the Republicans haven't designed such a weird selection system of holding a primary election and a caucus meeting. We just have a day long primary election to select the Presidential candidate. After the polls close, however, anyone who voted in the Republican primary can show to their neighborhood precinct convention.
The conventions are where the religious right and moderates in the GOP constantly fight with each other over things like platform resolutions and getting their people elected delegates.
Upon arriving to my polling place, the neighborhood junior high school, I discovered an army of neighborhood Democrats had filled the cafeteria for their caucus.
My precinct convention was a much smaller affair. Seven others showed up, none I knew whatsoever.
I found the convention packet, and began acting like I knew what I was doing. Turns out, these other people were mostly Ron Paul voters, and this was all of their first time at a precinct convention. Two wore Ron Paul buttons on their shirts - there was also a really old man who even kinda looked like Ron Paul. And there was a married couple, the husband asked a million questions.
I asked one of the guys there if he would serve as convention secretary, and he accepted.
I called the meeting to order. After everyone was credentialed, I explained to everyone that since our precinct could send ten delegates to the county Republicans convention. There were eight of us there in total. So hearing no objection, I suggested that I would accept a motion that everyone who wants to be a delegate, be made a delegate.
This passed unanimously and we were all elected delegates.
After the election of delegates, we a free to debate resolutions. I asked if anyone had any resolutions, actually bracing for someone to bring out a folder of typed resolutions sent out by the religious right. (these range from abortion to anti-gay to anti-immigration, etc)
To my relief, everyone shook their head no.
So I thought... well why not. So I wrote out the following on a piece of paper:
Whereas, the US Constitution historically reserves matters of family law to the states,
Therefore be it resolved that the Republican Party opposes amending the US Constitution for the purposes of defining marriage.
Upon hearing this, the married couple sighed.
After introducing it, I began by explaining that this is a contentious issue based on beliefs going back thousands of years. I said that Republicans should understand the importance of federalism as a process by which we can best work though this issue as a country, and that both Ron Paul and John McCain voted against the proposed Marriage Amendment in Congress.
I also said to all of these people that as someone who is gay and usually votes Republican, the GOP needs to stop being perceived as anti-gay, but inclusive - especially if they want to win elections in the 21st century.
Two others decided to speak on the resolution. One guy said that he didn't understand why Republicans were going after "gay marriage so much."
Another guy began speaking by stating that he considered himself very religious, and had a problem with gay marriage, BUT he also didn't think the Constitution should be amended because it was a "sacred document."
After that no one else had anything to say --- so we voted and IT PASSED!
7 to 0 with one abstention (the religious guy).
Afterwards I adjourned the meeting and spent about 30 minutes afterwards with the secretary who talked to me about why he considered himself a philosophical libertarian.
Now of course I know that my little resolution might have passed in my neighborhood, and if and when it goes to county or state, it will not fare so well. But I must say, there is nothing quite so exhilerating then standing up in a Republican meeting, holding up your hand, announcing to everyone that you are gay, and doing what I can with my own means and persuasive skills to advocate gay rights.
Steve
