Kathryn
It was on fire when I laid down on it.
Thanks for asking in a non inflammatory manner.
I have been to at least 4 Tea Party events and political meetings (more if you count informal events). Gay marriage was not brought up, was not discussed, was not even referenced in any veiled sort of way at ANY of the events I've been a part of. In fact, homosexuality was not mentioned one time.
I saw absolutely ZERO evidence of racism. As you know, I have four biracial kids and six multiracial grandchildren, as well as an adopted brother from Korea. I have NO TOLERANCE of racism, and neither does my husband. Nothing will move us out of a room faster. I saw no evidence of racism at any event or gathering. In fact, quite the opposite - I have heard people bemoan the fact that there aren't more minorities in the Tea Party movement, and though we've tried to pull more in and open more multiracial discussions, frankly, it's been tough going. Now - I wonder which way that racism goes?
Every Tea Party event I've been to has focused strictly on the economic concerns. We haven't even touched on social issues. The Tea Partiers I've been in contact with are generally socially libertarian and fiscally conservative.
I will say that I have intentionally disassociated myself from the local Republican Party. Well - I never WAS associated with them, but as the Tea Party movement has grown in this area, the Republican Party headquarters has attempted to organize from their base and has contacted me several times since my husband and I are active politically. Each time we've made it very clear that we are not partisan - that we are uninterested in a movement that is partisan.
To their credit - the Republican Party headquarters here has reached out to the Democrat Party locally - as has the Tea Party movement. The local Democrat Party has ignored all attempts at bipartisan involvement and refused to even sit down and discuss issues.
The Tea Party events I've attended have had several minority speakers, and at least one gay speaker (he identified himself as such - there may be more, I don't know). Without exception, their speeches focused on the fiscal side of things.
I have been to at least 4 Tea Party events and political meetings (more if you count informal events). Gay marriage was not brought up, was not discussed, was not even referenced in any veiled sort of way at ANY of the events I've been a part of. In fact, homosexuality was not mentioned one time.
I saw absolutely ZERO evidence of racism. As you know, I have four biracial kids and six multiracial grandchildren, as well as an adopted brother from Korea. I have NO TOLERANCE of racism, and neither does my husband. Nothing will move us out of a room faster. I saw no evidence of racism at any event or gathering. In fact, quite the opposite - I have heard people bemoan the fact that there aren't more minorities in the Tea Party movement, and though we've tried to pull more in and open more multiracial discussions, frankly, it's been tough going. Now - I wonder which way that racism goes?
Every Tea Party event I've been to has focused strictly on the economic concerns. We haven't even touched on social issues. The Tea Partiers I've been in contact with are generally socially libertarian and fiscally conservative.
I will say that I have intentionally disassociated myself from the local Republican Party. Well - I never WAS associated with them, but as the Tea Party movement has grown in this area, the Republican Party headquarters has attempted to organize from their base and has contacted me several times since my husband and I are active politically. Each time we've made it very clear that we are not partisan - that we are uninterested in a movement that is partisan.
To their credit - the Republican Party headquarters here has reached out to the Democrat Party locally - as has the Tea Party movement. The local Democrat Party has ignored all attempts at bipartisan involvement and refused to even sit down and discuss issues.
The Tea Party events I've attended have had several minority speakers, and at least one gay speaker (he identified himself as such - there may be more, I don't know). Without exception, their speeches focused on the fiscal side of things.