Of all the oxymorons in the political world, few come packed with the negative stigma of gay republicans. Long considered an enemy of LGBTQ activists, the Republican Party has boasted a clear, no-tolerance policy of alternative lifestyles, vehemently defending marriage as an institution designed for one man and one woman. Yet there always remains the exception, and Dan Innis of the 1st Congressional District of New Hampshire seems proud to be its champion.

As a gay Democrat in the midst of a politically polarized nation, it’s humorously difficult to give credit where credit is due, but if Innis’ potential election means the Republican Party will slowly start to pull its hands out of the LGBTQ communities’ pants, then more power to him. Rather than criticize Innis for fraternizing with “the enemy,” the LGBTQ community should instead opt to view his campaign as an opportunity to erase sexuality as a partisan issue. The classic phrase “it’s okay to be gay” could certainly go a lot further by adding “and Republican too.”

All optimism aside, Innis certainly stands at a disadvantage. Being the first Republican to be open about his sexuality before elections leaves his campaign open to a myriad of attacks on his personal life that bear no influence on his ability to perform as a public servant. Still, Innis shouldn’t be threatened by conventional norms. Certainly few would have expected Republicans to beat Democrats in endorsing women for prominent political positions like vice president, but the decision may well explain why Republicans have seen a less divisive accumulation of women voters in the past two presidential elections.

While admittedly a microcosm of progressive republicanism, Innis stands at the cusp of a potentially platform-shifting movement. To exclude the LGBTQ lifestyle is to exclude yourself from a pool of voters who have demonstrated their ability to organize and deliver results. Assuming that an entire group of people can’t possess conservative ideals because of their sexuality isn’t exactly an intuitive campaign strategy. Whether the Republican Party will embrace this opportunity to sweep up the minority voters it desperately needs remains to be seen, but it may be a bit too soon for them to suddenly start endorsing hope and change.

cferganc@mavs.coloradomesa.edu