I do not understand the concept of being a gay Republican. I don’t know how one goes from saying: I’m gay and then adding: And I’m a Republican. I don’t know how one does this…

I’ve asked how it’s done and the answers I usually get are vague or angry or completely nonsensical. I’ve heard everything from; it’s the Republicans who back the military to Republicans want smaller government to Republicans would be more fiscally responsible. Then there’s the whole tax thing, and a whole bunch of other garbled jibber jabber.

Okay… but Republicans also want you to go back in the closet, not get married, not be able to legally adopt, serve in the military openly. They don’t respect you on any level.

I ask the questions because I honestly do not understand. I was told to just separate myself from the whole being gay thing, and just concentrate on the whole government thing.

See, I don’t know how you get past the being gay part. Being gay is who I am; it’s not a choice or a lifestyle, it’s who I am every day of my life. I don’t wake up in the morning and say, “Well I think I’ll be a Lesbian today.” It’s just who I am.

Every law, every ruling that goes against gays and lesbians goes against me and my life. I don’t know how to separate one from the other, and I’m not convinced that separating yourself from who you are at any time is a good thing.

I understand gay republicans believe the only way to change the Republican Party is to work among them and make them understand inclusion – I get that, and I understand that they have done good things – still, trying to make change and voting for people you know are never going to change, and people who will spend any amount of money to keep me in what they believe is “my place;” this I will never understand.

I have a Republican lesbian friend who goes to her Catholic church every week. She doesn’t leave feeling full of faith and loved by her creator. She leaves knowing her church will never accept her for who she is and every week she asks forgiveness. She asks forgiveness for who she is.

Every week she allows this church to take a little piece of her soul and make her feel a little more unworthy. When I asked her why she continues to go there she says, “It’s my church.”

When I remind her of how the Catholic Church and the Republican Party don’t really validate her existence she says well, maybe they know something I don’t. It just blows me away that she cares so little about herself. Every life deserves validation – no exceptions.

This Romney/Ryan ticket is not gay friendly, on any level. Thinking that voting for them would be a good thing because you could get inside of the party and change hearts and minds is just foolish.

If you’re a gay, lesbian, bi-sexual or transgendered citizen and you push, click or fill in the circle for the Republican ticket you will have voted against your own best interest. You will have voted for people who don’t like you, don’t respect you, and would be happier if you just didn’t exist.

Paul Ryan is a scheduled speaker at the Family Research Council’s Values Voters Summit in September. In case you didn’t know, The Family Research Council believes the following about homosexuality:

“Family Research Council believes that homosexual conduct is harmful to the persons who engage in it and to society at large, and can never be affirmed. It is by definition unnatural, and as such is associated with negative physical and psychological health effects. “Sympathy must be extended to those who struggle with unwanted same-sex attractions, and every effort should be made to assist such persons to overcome those attractions, as many already have.”

If you are a member of the gay community and you believe you can change the heart and soul of Paul Ryan – you’re dreaming.

So, if you still want to support these folks, please don’t preach to me about smaller government and fiscal responsibility, especially when your party is pandering to the rich and smacking the middle class, and know this; if they get elected, they will throw your gay life under the big election bus the moment President Romney says, “So help me God.”

Right now – I’d like us all to be on the same playing field, and the gay community has finally gotten ourselves into the Ballpark.

I don’t want to be in the Ballpark only to be shoved back in the locker and not be allowed to dress for the game.