The party lines

The GOP is not a very welcoming place for LGBT Republicans. The newly-unveiled party platform is the most anti-gay platform ever, stating very clearly that same-sex couples should receive no recognition of their relationships at all, not just be shut out of using the "M" word. The sitting Republican President has publicly advocated amending the United States Constitution to discriminate against same-sex families. The Republicans in Michigan have pushed strongly for an anti-gay amendment to our own constitution, not to mention policies that would make it more difficult for gays and lesbians to adopt, and even for LGBT people to receive basic medical care.
The Republican party is sending LGBT people a clear message: we don't want you, we don't need you, and we don't like you.
The LGBT community's best chances in this election are with the Democrats, both nationally and statewide. So, whom to vote for should be a no-brainer, right?
Well, not exactly.
Although the Democrats are welcoming of LGBT folks compared to their major party counterpart, their door isn't completely open to LGBT people and issues.
The Democratic party is sending LGBT people a fuzzy message: we kind of want you, we definitely need you, and most of us like you.
First of all, John Kerry and John Edwards are publicly against "gay marriage" and have indicated support for states amending their constitutions to define marriage (a la Missouri). They are, however, against the Federal Marriage amendment and both have good voting records when it comes to LGBT issues (especially Kerry.)
Last week at the Michigan Democratic convention the party platform didn't come out strongly against the anti-gay marriage amendment, like many in the LGBT community had hoped they would. Instead they chose a softer approach to this discriminatory measure that advocated education.
It is disheartening that the Democrats in Michigan feel they can't denounce this bigoted attempt to alter our constitution strongly as a unified group (many Democrats have done so individually.) However, it is important to remember how far the LGBT community has come in such a short time politically and socially.
Homosexuality still scares the hell out of a lot of people and, right or wrong, that's the reality when it comes to mainstream America – the very voters the Democrats are depending on to win.
For LGBT people to expect all or nothing from politicians is counter-productive and makes little political sense. We've done a good job of gaining allies. Unfortunately, for many people, it is a gradual process. This includes the Democrats. By all means we should advocate for our full acceptance and inclusion and demand the rights we deserve as citizens (how do you think we've made it this far?). But what we should not do is reject outright a party that has clear faults but is still not only our best option, but a good option for our community.
The Republicans have spoken. LGBT people are not welcome. The Democrats are open to discussion, both welcoming and wary. Anyone who has ever come out knows what outright rejection versus slow acceptance feels like. The choice is clearer than we think.