PARTY CRASHER

Tafel’s part memoir, part moral manifesto challenges gay politics to find freedom from the backstabbing of Clintonian-styled Democrats through the reputedly big tent of the GOP, as well as to create an ethical center from which to promulgate a libertarian view of an America receptive to gay people. Tafel is an ordained Baptist minister and executive director of the Log Cabin Republicans, a gay political organization. One cannot doubt the sincerity of his tone in his calls for the Republican Party to return to its roots of individual freedom, nor does he fail to delineate the remarkable successes of the gay Republican political agenda. The strength of this volume thus lies in Tafel’s clear moral vision and unapologetic call for personal responsibility in an age of blame. Unfortunately, Tafel succumbs too readily to history-lite, psychobabble, and an endless litany of “Profiles in Gay Republican Courage.” He rehashes political struggles and gay history with the in-depth reporting of an Eagle Forum—endorsed sixth-grade textbook, and in some bizarre post-Freudian, discombobulating of the Oedipal complex, he interprets gay people’s political identities as a mirror reflection of their coming-out experience. Though attacking identity-based politics as an emotional sideshow, Tafel himself certainly falls victim to the desire to show just how hard it is to be a gay Republican—especially at liberal Harvard Divinity School. Tafel is at his best when he wisely points out the folly of a gay political strategy that puts all its eggs in one Democratic basket, and his calls for a moral compass should resonate loudly for both the gay and straight communities. Certainly, Tafel’s voice must be heard and reckoned with if real political change is to be effected for gays and lesbians. A book with important ideas for the gay community to consider, marred by easy-to-digest prose reminiscent of a light feature in USA Today.