(Updated - see below)
WARNING: Rant ahead!
I received the following e-mail this evening from a guy named notKyle:
I was seriously interested in your blog as a gay guy living here in the US… that was until I had to read the typical gay political, narrow minded, one-sided BS that’s spewed from just about every other gay source. I respect your right to your opinions, although I disagree with them. I went to a 99% liberal high school in California and my only lone republican friend was as closeted about that as I was about being gay. Everyone respected each others opinions there, however, but more importantly, they knew where it was appropriate as a topic, and what things were appropriate to discuss in a particular venue. I believe that you are saying the wrong things in the wrong venue, and you have alienated and eschewed aside the republican portion of our gay population. The basis for my political views are far broader than my simply being gay, and I think it’s irresponsible to assume that all gays are liberal for the same reason. I am no longer interested in your blog. Yes, I do understand that it’s YOUR blog, and you can write anything you please, regardless of the audience or who it alienates, but as I respect your right to your opinions, I sincerely hope you may learn to have some respect for your fellow REPUBLICAN gays out there, and keep the random political BS out of your blog. Until then, I have no interest in reading any of it.
As a side note, I do not wish to turn this into a big email ping pong match… so, take that as you will.
I’ve received numerous e-mails both in favor and against the more political slant of my blog, but never one like this. Yes, yes, I know I used to write a much more humorous blog, but do you know how much work that was? It’s not easy trying to right something funny day after day. Ask Bossy. Or Craig. Or Famous Author Rob Byrnes (wait, FARB’s not actually funny, he only thinks he is 
). I found that I felt like I was performing for you all rather than blogging honestly. My heart wasn’t in it anymore, so that’s why I took my hiatus over the summer. When I came back I decided that I was going to write about whatever was on my mind. Recently that’s been a lot of politics.
Now notKyle in his e-mail says "you are saying the wrong things in the wrong venue" in regards to my political-minded posts. Excuse me??? First off, what does he think are "the wrong things"? Is that anything that might be progressive in nature or something he doesn’t agree with? I’m sorry, but I’m not only entitled to my opinion, I’m allowed to voice it as well.
Secondly, how on earth is blogging my political beliefs on my blog inappropriate or using the wrong venue? I don’t get paid to blog. Nobody owns this blog but me. I created it, I pay for its hosting fees, and I own it. I’ll be damned if I’m going to be told what topics are appropriate to blog. I supposedly live in a land of free speech. If I want to blog about politics or Britney Spears or the high price of tea in China, I can because it’s my friggin’ blog, not notKyle’s.
Neither notKyle nor any of you are required to read my blog. It’s just like television: if you don’t like what’s on, change the channel. If you live in a free country like America you can read or not read whatever web sites you want.
After my initial anger at notKyle’s e-mail, I began to wonder why he felt the need to actually sit down and write me an e-mail rather than simply stop visiting my site. Is he that threatened by the things I post on my blog? Is he worried that I might be right some of the time? Or worst of all, is he afraid that I just may open other people’s eyes to my liberal way of thinking?
I know of several right-wing gay men who are almost venomous towards any gay liberal. They accuse us of not thinking for ourselves or "drinking the kool-aid." They seem to believe that only gays who are conservative and/or Republican are independent thinkers. Bullshit! I have thought through and even researched many issues other than just gay rights, and I’ve chosen my position on them. It happens to be progressive. So what? In fact, I’m proud of that fact. Would the gay conservatives advocate that I change my beliefs just to prove I’m not going along with the crowd? To me, that looks like the actions of someone who isn’t thinking for himself.
In conclusion, let me make this clear to all my readers who are wondering: am I going to continue with the political slant of my blog? I don’t know. I’m simply going to post whatever is on my mind and that I’m passionate about at the time. That might be political, it might be funny, or it might just be about my dogs (yet again). Right now I have three different things in my head I’d like to turn into blog posts this week, and not a one of them is political. That may change though.
I appreciate your readership and hope that you will stick around to find what’s next, but you are always free to surf somewhere else if you don’t like what you find here.
Rant concluded.
UPDATE: I sent a link to this blog post to the writer of the e-mail. He replied and asked me to take the post down "not because I am ashamed of what I have written, on the contrary, but due to the nature of my job and certain policies put in place, if you catch my drift." I won’t take down the post because too many of you have already seen it, and I don’t think there is anything that specific that identifies the writer of the e-mail. The only things we know about him from the information above is his first name, he’s gay, and he went to high school in California. Nevertheless, I changed his name to protect his identity.
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I agree with you whole-heartedly and appreciate your slant be it political or otherwise. I do not necessarily agree with everything you say (but most of your comments I do agree with), but it’s refreshing hearing someone WITH an opinion even if it goes against the norm. Intelligent conversation seems to be a dying art in this country, and it’s sad to see that we appear to be heading towards an “I’m right, your wrong, shut up” philosophy in this country. It almost seems that winning the argument is more important than having it in the first place.
M-Dub’s last blog post..Black Friday and Beyond!
I meant to say “I’m right, YOU’RE wrong, shut up” philosophy. I wouldn’t want someone chastising me for being politically AND grammatically incorrect!
M-Dub’s last blog post..Black Friday and Beyond!
So, yours is one of the least political blogs I read. I love how you are personal about your political views and make it much less abstract. I happen to agree with most of what you say, but I read blogs of people I know I disagree with. Keeps me certain of my own views and who knows, I may change my mind. Keep up what you’re doing and let the blog take you wherever.
Of course it’s YOUR blog, and you can post any stupid, backwards, overtly political tripe you want… Except that you never do. I enjoy reading (and thinking about) what you write; so, keep up the good work!
I went out with a guy named Kyle at one point many years ago…who knows…maybe this is his work. At any rate, you’re right on target, Scott. Write what you feel, let people choose to read it or not, and if they don’t like your politics find another freaking blog to read. Keep up the good work!
Just remember, those who can, do; those who can’t bitch in the comments.
LOL to M-Dub re: grammatical accuracy.
Scott, dear, post what you want to. We’ll read it or we won’t. Be true to yourself.
“Be true to yourself.” I like that. I think that’s my motto for today.
javajones’s last blog post..Time keeps on slipping…
Sounds like you’ve got a ‘fan.’ I’ve been telling my ‘fans’ to “Get a Life Outside of my Blog.”
Steve’s last blog post..Open Thread
I keep telling you that you have not been doing it right! See the trouble you’re in now?
Wow! What an amazingly stupid person! It’s just as well he told you not to engage in a debate, because where would you start?! I mean, its not like you can use logic or reason. Are all Republicans that stupid?
Your blog is awesome. You are also performing a national service by reminding us foreigners who need constant reminding that not ALL Americans are Republicans.
Though misplaced, I can understand some of his frustration. I’m an artist, so I’m inevitably in circles of artists. Generally, in these circles anyone that leans to the right in terms of political or social conservatism is judged harshly (ironic, considering artists usually pride themselves on their all-inclusive non-judgementalism). I’m one of those artists that tend to lean a bit to the right — and I definitely keep it to myself when I’m around that group of people in order not to lose my credibility with them (after all, work still needs to get done and it does no good for me or the group for me to be dismissed). Maybe not the perfect response on my part, but it is what it is.
Being the token straight guy around these parts, I can’t say that I understand all the nuances of being political in the GLBT realm, but I see some parallels and can maybe understand an iota of Kyle’s frustration.
Having said that, it’s still weird that he’d specifically flame Scott-o-rama for it. Maybe he just had a bad day…
dave491’s last blog post..EP Review: Nuclear Children
It is your blog. If I click here and don’t want to read something I am old enough and smart enough to scroll through it. We are in the blog world so we can be political, funny, stupid, creative or just plain boring. Our blogs are an extension of ourselves. Somedays we feel funny, other days the politics of the world piss us off. It is life. Though I like the funny stuff, I also like to see other people opinions on things… It all makes us think. Don’t change who you are…
This reminds me of people who bitch about the sex/violence/homosexuality/whatever in a TV Show. Why don’t they realize all they have to do is change channels?? I just don’t get that. Plus this is your blog to do with what you want. Please keep on keepinon!
Being funny day after day isn’t that hard. Being this gorgeous on the other hand requires some primping.
And agreed, this your blog, you can do as you damn well please.
Craig’s last blog post..Comic Book Movies
Alienating gay Goppers? All 5 or so of them? Somehow I don’t think that turning off a bunch of self-loathers is going to make that much of a difference to you.
JollyRoger’s last blog post..Is THIS Why Trent Is Hitting the Road? Or, Larry Craig Is Snickering
Hahaha. #1 rule of the Internet: THINK before you hit send or publish. Or someone will use it — mostly splogs, but you know what I mean.
Howard’s last blog post..Lazy Tuesday: Jarvis Cocker
Oh, and re: your update. This kid sounds like a weenie. Typical of so many Internet commenters… they can shovel it out, but they wet their pants in fear when they get a response. I think notKyle should wait for his testicles to descend before he sends another e-mail.
Okay, so let me get this clear… according to “NotKyle” the only blogs we are supposed to be reading are ones that exactly match our lifestyles and beliefs. Wow… well I guess that means that I can no longer read your blog Scott since I’m not a gay male. What a sad way of thinking. If that were true, no one would be able to expand their horizons, learn about different lifestyles or cultures. Life would be like a big homogenous cookie jar. And while I enjoy cookies, I detest boring.
Let NotKyle find a nice republican gay blog that does nothing to expand his mind or his beliefs. Let him find someone who panders to his already-made-up mind, while the rest of us learn and laugh and applaud as Scott shows us a viewpoint that only he can have. Afterall… isn’t this blog named after him?
Don’t change Scott, we love you just the way you are.
Cholla.
ChollaChick’s last blog post..Meow means ?I love you?
I’m not a progressive liberal, I’m much more moderately inclined. But I read Scott-o-rama because it challenges me. And the dog posts are cute. And the fact that he knows where I live.
Isn’t ‘Gay Republican’ an oxymoron, like ‘military intelligence’, ‘peacekeeper missile’ or ‘axe-murderer babysitter’?
Sometimes I think this entire nation is suffering from from some mental illness that makes them see only false dichotomies in any situation. It’s not a matter of there being only conservatives and liberals. Most people — and, I think, all sensible people — are in the middle somewhere.
Most of what you do here, ScottO, is to point out incompetent, hypocritical, and sometimes criminal behaviour in elected officials. Criticizing a conservative is not necessarily liberal, and calling a slimewad “a slimewad” is not liberal propaganda; it’s good being a responsible citizen.
And a good conservative should be less concerned with silencing the criticism and more concerned with cleaning the crooks out of the GOP.
Mike Ellis’s last blog post..National Treasure Trail
Scott,
Just as there were actually Jews who initially supported Hitler, Negros who supported Trent Lott…statistically, I guess some of our sisters are going to suffer from Stockholm syndrome.
Sounds like he’s having a major bad hair day, whatever his problem.
One thing’s for sure, it isn’t your problem. Write what you like, it’s your blog…and if that doesn’t butter her muffin, well, she can always write one for the two non-congressmembers who are Republican gays: him and himself.
Scott,
Don’t you dare stop with the political posts. I for one find them to be both enlightening and well written. And you’re right, he could’ve simply stopped reading but he didn’t because deep down he knows what you write is true.
And in regards to your comments regarding many gay Republicans, I couldn’t agree more.
“I know of several right-wing gay men who are almost venomous towards any gay liberal. They accuse us of not thinking for ourselves or “drinking the kool-aid.” They seem to believe that only gays who are conservative and/or Republican are independent thinkers.”
But that’s self loathing for you. There’s no other logical reason why some gays insist on getting in bed with the G.O.P.; a party that has made it its mission to oppress every minority possible, not the least of which are gays and lesbians.
Don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying that gays can’t or shouldn’t have conservative values. And I’m not saying that gays are obligated to sign up with the Democratic Party because to be completely candid, while I’m a liberal, I have a bone or two to pick with them. But there is a monumental step between having conservative beliefs and affiliating one’s self with the Republican Party. While I respect people’s beliefs and decisions (even if I strongly disagree with them), gays aligning themselves with the Republicans (and subsequently the Dubyas, the Trent Lotts and the David Dukes) is absolutely inconceivable to me. It would almost be like a Jew joining forces with the Nazis or Blacks joining the Ku Klux Klan.
And what happens with the self loathing goes unchecked? We get the Larry Craigs, the Bob Allens, the Jeff Gannons, the Ted Haggards, and the Mark Foleys.
But that’s my two cents on the matter.
In any event, keep writing what you’re writing.
People: You are wrong to apply the cookie cutter approach to every Republican. Just like Democrats, Republicans are a varied bunch. Some are neocons, some are gay-haters, some are gay or gay-friendly, some are Reagan conservatives while others are Rockefeller liberal Republicans. I happen to be the latter and have spent the last twenty years of my life fighting within the party for inclusiveness and tolerance. Because I tend to disagree with the Democrats on tax policy, foreign affairs, and military issues does NOT, I repeat, does NOT make me a self-loathing person or make me any less proud of who I am as a gay man.
At least I can say that I fight the good fight trying to ensure that both major parties respect gay rights and diversity. How many of you have gone to your Democrat political meetings or functions and had to fight for gay issues, which has been pretty much settled for years in the D Party? On the other hand, I do everytime I attend a GOP caucus, a platform meeting or run to be a convention delegate. Yes, it’s true that I lose almost every battle, but at least I am putting myself out there and trying. It seems to me that that takes more courage than sitting around contemplating one’s navel and having a big old “we agree” love fest.
Scott, you keep saying whatever it is that you want to say. I don’t always agree, but I enjoy your perspective. And, the last time I checked, the First Amendment is still alive. Keep up the good work!
Amen, Scott. . .
. . .as Granpa used to say, “tell it like it t-i-s ’tis!”
BTW, are there STILL Gay Republicans!?!?!
I thought for sure they went the way of the 8-track tape!
LOL!
Cheers to yuz!
It takes all types (so says famous Mom) and I am sure God has a purpose for a notKyle that is lost on the rest of us. Perhaps he is a notKyle because he has pissed off so many folks that his odds are running for someones snuffin’ him and then he being just a not… hmmm… and he knows this. Or it could be he is just a drip. whatever…
Just keep doing your thang bud, the rest of us like it! Oh and send him my way it would be nice to see a comment!
Kevin’s last blog post..Changing of the Season
Can a girl get an ‘Oyvey’? (Chorus of Oyveys)
Geez. I haven’t checked in here in a while and clearly I’ve been missing out. With this kind of excitement, I’d better start checking in more often! Funny that someone would comment on a post and then get sketchy when you actually publish it. It does say something about the “thinking” that is going on there …
TP’s last blog post..New Toys & Vacation Chores
Gay cuntservatives make me vomit a lot in my mouth.
You rock! Keep it up. Most R3publicans I know only believe in freedom of speech when it’s their speech.
hang in there
try to not let rants like that bug you; when you stand up for yourself someone always gets pissed off.
going on pissing people off - we need that.
Urspo’s last blog post..?Gee, doctor, you saved my life!?
Wow! from all these responses, it seams you’ve hit a popular subject! And that would be………It’s your blog……post what you want!
wayne’s last blog post..It’s begining to look a lot like Christmas!
I read this as I was zooming out the door this morning, so my comment is rather late.
This guy is a moron, plain an simple, for SO many reasons I can’t even begin to list them all. I wish it were easier to let things like this roll off our backs, but I totally understand why it riled you so. He doesn’t ‘get’ you or what you are trying to do here AT ALL. If he knew anything about you and the way you operate your blog, he would know that your politics is only a portion of who you are. Granted, it’s a big portion– and it is unabashedly liberal– but any good reader should understand that and accept it as truth. Furthermore, it is nobody’s business what you do with your own blogspace. If you wanted to post one shirtless guy a day for the rest of your life– you could do it. And nobody would say anything (except, maybe, “Thank you!”
) — but your blog is a smörgÃ¥sbord of all of these different things that makes it so uniquely you. That’s what makes it fun… that’s what makes it popular (in my eyes), and that’s what makes it compelling to read.
So yeah… don’t change a thing. Or do. It’s totally up to you. Those of us who love you will keep coming no matter what.
RcktMan’s last blog post..I?m now reminded why I am still single?
I come to you by way of Howard by way of Bossy. I’m happy Shawn spoke up for the Repubs but I just can’t get my head around the idea that anyone would want to be part of a party that is not just disrespectful but outright hostile to so many segments of the population. Big tent, indeed.
Most of the gay conservatives I know personally will complain about liberal gay groupthink. At the same time, they tend to have the exact same politics as their parents, so it’s a little bit hard to take their claims of non-conformity too seriously.
As for notKyle’s other complaint about what topics you should or shouldn’t be posting about, I’m tempted to suggest that we come up with an “It’s My Blog, Dammit” day where everyone posts about something that people don’t expect him to post about. But then I remember how much I dislike lesbian porn.
TED’s last blog post..Haphazard
I call BULLSHIT. This guy isn’t for real & while I am focusing on just 1 thing, it’s a valid point: He uses California to insinuate everybody here is liberal, which is something the media tries to perpetuate. Any Californian knows there are TONS of Republicans, as a matter of fact, my sister is a lesbian Republican. Perhaps she was his only friend in high school? Of 5 California siblings, I’m the only non-Republican.
Remember the California fires & the comment that Glenn Beck said about non-America loving Californians? (you wrote a post about it) Well, 2 of the main counties that were burning were REPUBLICAN counties! (Orange County and San Diego County)
Just so people like dumb non-Kyle know, we all have & use our brains here. We don’t feel the need to follow like sheep to be accepted. THAT is California!
Scott, I love your blog & your opinions. I’ve never thought of your views as one from a gay man. Of course, I know you’re gay, but I don’t see that as summing up who you are & why you believe as you do.
/soapbox
jane’s last blog post..Seems like forever
Girlfriend, you just keep on keepin’ on what you’re doin’. Just be thankful “notKyle” didn’t discover your home address and send you a box of rotting meat.
He certainly went to great efforts to make an ass of himself.
I’m sorry, but I thoroughly enjoyed this…
It’s funny that he thinks all gay men are liberal just because it’s part of the norm. But the truth is quite the contrary.
At one point, I really did consider myself to be a conservative gay Republican (let me duck to avoid being hit by flying tomatoes). But really, I did… and in many ways, I am still somewhat conservative in my personal views.
But I now consider myself a Democrat, and a liberal for that matter. I didn’t change my mind because “it’s the popular thing to do.” I changed my mind because I decided that it’s terrible for the Republican parties to be stuck in some timewarp of the 1800’s. They never change, they don’t respect anyone who isn’t a rich, white man, and they refuse to believe that every American is an equal.
The Democratic party has always been about moving forward and changing. That’s what I support. It doesn’t mean I agree with everything they do. But as a whole, I believe that this country could be about growth, change, and equality. You’re just not going to find that with Republicans.
So shame on that guy. Shame, shame, shame. He should know that you feel the way you do because you have carefully weighed out the facts on both sides, and decided that the Democrats are who you support. I seriously doubt you’re just going with what’s popular.
You’re a grown man, you’ve made up your mind, and you can talk about politics if you want to. We all need to talk about politics. This is OUR country!
Participation is crucial. If we want change, we have to be active and keep the conversation flowing.
I’ll step off my soap box now.
Thank you for this great post, Scott.
Nathan’s last blog post..A Rare Species
I agree with you 100%.
EOZ’s last blog post..Sick
“eschewed aside”?!?!?! WTF? First of all this guy is a fucking idiot for spouting gibberish like that.
Secondly, gay republicans are no different than blacks who want to join the Klan or Jews who want to join the Waffen SS. There may have been a few at one time or another but they were fucking idiots too. Lastly, the age old Log Cabin Republican canard that there’s more to being a gay republican than just being gay demonstrates the complete idiocy of that argument when the political party that you are a part of wants to deny you civil rights, or worse, see you disappear altogether JUST BECAUSE YOU ARE GAY.
This guys a clown with a two digit IQ, don’t worry your pretty head over him.
scott’s last blog post..WORLD AIDS DAY 2007
Yeah, you’re also leaving out all the other assholes when you write your blog, not just the Republicans. So you should really, you know, add in a lot more asshole-ish stuff, stupid stuff and offensive things so that people into that won’t feel left out either…! I don’t understand people like him. I once wrote a book about the ’80s and a woman reviewed it on Amazon negatively because it had too much gay and political stuff. Sorry, but it’s my book and I don’t see how a book containing ’80s culture (including mentions of AIDS, Ronald Reagan and other scourges) can be completely without opinion. They used to say, “It takes all kinds,” but even if it does, YOU don’t have take all kinds, nor should you feel the need to represent all kinds. Now, if your blog were called, “The Official Blog Of The Gay Community,” I’d see his point. He sounds crazy anyway, fearing he’ll be outed based on a completely generic comment he made on a blog. Ignore.
Matthew Rettenmund’s last blog post..The Ins & Outs Of Public Life