Featuring the author David Lampo, Cato Institute; with comments by Michael Barone, American Enterprise Institute; moderated by John Samples, Center for Representative Government, Cato Institute.
It is an axiom of modern American politics that most Republicans and conservatives are not only anti-gay, but that they have capitulated to an anti-gay agenda formulated and pursued by the religious right for the past several decades. David Lampo makes the case that, contrary to the conventional wisdom of many on the right, support for gay rights by Republicans and conservatives is not only consistent with their stated belief in individual liberty and limited government, but will also provide long-term political benefits for the GOP and the conservative movement. He argues that the anti-gay agenda promoted by many social conservatives succinctly exposes the hypocrisy of those who talk of limited government and individual rights, but ignore both when it comes to gay rights and other personal freedom issues. It is, in fact, the defenders of gay rights within the Republican ranks who are keeping faith with core conservative principles. He also presents a variety of polling data that show that rank-and-file Republicans, including many Tea Party supporters, are far more supportive of gay rights than commonly presumed. As the GOP faces a changing nation, Lampo’s provocative call to revive and realize cherished American principles should be heard by every citizen. Please join us for an important discussion of politics and principles.
