The case of Ken Mehlman, the former Republican National Committee chairman who has just revealed that he’s gay, poses a dilemma for the political and journalistic classes.
Mehlman presided over a party that exploited homophobia for political gain in races all over the country. The dilemma is: what punishment did he deserve and when did he deserve it?
Mehlman has been embraced by many, and he’s now working on the effort to overturn Prop 8. Some critics, however, say he deserves criticism and political ostracism for his past use of anti-gay feeling as a tactic. Some have even argued that anyone who knew of his sexuality should have exposed it – and that the media and political opponents should expose the personal lives of similar closet cases. But others say outing is wrong, even in such cases.
Fortunately there’s a solution that offers something to both sides of this debate.
And it’s perfectly Republican.
The solution doesn’t require the heavy hand of government, or new regulation. In fact, my solution is market-based, and should be quickly embraced by Republicans and other right-thinking people everywhere.
In short, I propose a temporary amnesty.
Now, I know that word is one Republicans don’t like in other contexts. So let’s call this proposal "One Month of Love and Forgiveness."
Let’s select a month – let’s say next February, since it contains Valentine’s Day and is late enough to get us past this election cycle.
Before that month, or anytime during that month, any and all closeted gay Republican officials may come forward, apologize for past political sins against gays and civil rights, and declare their sexuality openly. For that month, the political and media classes will agree not to engage in recriminations or say an unkind word about these former closet cases. All will be instantly forgiven.
(Heck if Carla Fiorina wins the U.S. Senate, perhaps she can ge through legislation that would exempt anyone who comes out of the closet in February from paying taxes on that month’s income. Read Carly’s platform – she loves tax holidays).
However, and this is a big however: once February 2011 is over, the amnesty is over. Any Republican officials who remain closeted and continue to exploit anti-gay sentiment are 100 percent fair game for scorn, recriminations and, yes, public outing.
Such a policy would promote honesty and reduce hypocrisy. Can’t all sides in the debate over gay rights, including marriage equality, agree on that?