Openly gay former congressman Jim Kolbe is speaking out against Virginia Rep. Randy Forbes, who has recently begun a push to prevent funding of openly gay candidates within the Republican party.

The Washington Blade reports:

Kolbe, who served in Congress from 1985 to 2007, told the Washington Blade via email that Forbes’ statements against candidates like Richard Tisei and Carl DeMaio are “outrageous” and merit a response from House leadership. “They represent everything the party is trying to get away from,” Kolbe said. “Both candidates have very good chances of being elected. Forbes, apparently, would rather lose the two seats and further jeopardize our chances of holding the majority. I am pleased that Cong. Walden was quick to say the NRCC would support whoever was nominated, but I would like to see all of the leadership condemn such bigoted remarks as those made by Forbes.”

Forbes has found a supporter in wing-nut Peter LaBarbera who issued the following statement:

"The Republican party platform is opposed for the most part to homosexual activism, especially gay so-called marriage. So Forbes understands that the Republican Party should not be in the business of promoting candidates that are going to promote sexual immorality."

Yesterday, House Speaker John Boehner went on record as saying he does support openly gay GOP candidates.