Mr. Reagan single-handedly turned the tide against the measure. It was precisely Mr. Reagan's backbone that gave him broad national appeal. He seemed capable of deciding what he thought was right and then doing it, never mind the politics or the conventional wisdom. The Republicans need some of that spine on gay issues. Today it seems silly to anathematize gays.
Television shows are full of openly gay characters.
Companies, many localities and some states grant partner benefits. The pity is that Republicans today are in a good position to seize the new center that is emerging on homosexuality. The new gay agenda stresses commitment over frolic and responsibility over liberation. Republicans could claim this middle ground by welcoming gay people who want to live stable, responsible lives. But there, precisely, is the problem.