In my opinion now, the GLBT community and our allies in Indianapolis, whether Republican, Independent or Democrat, would best be served by supporting Jon Elrod in his bid for Congress. Under present circumstances, a successful Elrod bid in this Elrod-Carson race would present the greater opportunity for progress both in Indiana and nationally.

With regard to the GLBT community, support for Jon Elrod is support for progress in my opinion. I detail my reasons below.

First, of the candidates, Elrod has proven himself under fire as an ally of the glbt community by speaking up both publicly and privately against SJR-7, the amendment banning not only same sex marriage but banning any incident of marriage from being extended to same sex couples. Further, Jon Elrod advises that he agrees with an expansion of coverage in nondiscrimination legislation to ensure that glbt citizens are as protected as all others. And he favors a military policy of recruiting and promoting based on no other factor than merit.

Second, Elrod has demonstrated a willingness to take these positions in a political environment in which he has had few natural allies. (He was the only member of the Indiana House Republican caucus publicly to oppose the marriage amendment and thereby invite the displeasure of the Republican Party's most extreme elements. Opposing the Amendment as a Republican has meant few friends among opponents of the Amendment, the majority of whom have tended to be Democratic. )

Third, Jon Elrod is running for Congress at a time when Congress is in no danger of falling into Republican hands. For moderate Republicans, independents and Democrats, a vote for Elrod is in no way a vote for Republican extremism or for its control. A vote for Elrod in no way forwards an anti-gay agenda in U.S. congress. To the contrary, this election represents an appropriate opportunity to convey to the Republican Party both in the State of Indiana and nationally that Republican candidates who campaign on a platform of inclusion will be rewarded by voters. Only this message will contribute to broader fundamental change in the Republican Party, change which is inevitable, but which must occur sooner rather than later in order for us to achieve real progress in our lifetimes.

Fourth, it is in the matter of achieving this fundamental change that the strongest argument for the election of Jon Elrod to Congress exists. The apparatus of the Republican Party remains seized by a conservative perspective that increasingly conflicts with what most Americans, editorial boards, and corporate leaders believe, namely, that glbt citizens deserve to have our rights as full citizens acknowledged. This conservative perspective conflicts with Republican principles in a way that an effective stand within the Republican Party can and should be taken in order for broader progress to become possible.

In my opinion, an ever increasing percentage of Republicans of all ages are becoming intuitively uncomfortable with the Party's record of intolerance with regard to the GLBT community, and are looking for the philosophical ground on which to make a change. Vocal elected Republicans such as Elrod gaining stature in the party can demonstrate that the right path exists in the Republican Party... towards the protection of the individual guarantees that are inherent in the Bill of Rights, guarantees against the government encroachment of which Republicans are traditionally wary.

Occupying the office, Elrod as congressman, and his perspective, would gain stature in Indiana Republican politics, enhancing a base for forward movement in the Indiana Republican Party at the state and local level. He would offer a challenge in Washington from inside the Republican caucus to backward thinking elsewhere in the caucus. He would break up the group-think of the Indiana Republican congressional delegation.

In contrast, Andre Carson while well-meaning, would have no more impact on glbt interests than to affirm from a back bench what is already the position of leading Democrats. His candidacy and election would represent little challenge or change to any status quo either locally or nationally, little real opportunity for progress, no matter his personal merit.

In short, with sincere thanks to Julia Carson, and respect to Andre Carson, I nevertheless believe that Indiana and National GLBT efforts are best served with the election of Jon Elrod to Congress in the coming special election.

Please consider contributing to Elrod's efforts.

(Note: Jon Elrod describes himself as pro-life. I have noticed in the Republican Party that the label means less and less. Republican women with whom I am acquainted describe themselves as pro-life in one breath and then in the next breath say it is only their personal position and should be up to the mother. Elrod believes that Roe v Wade is in place, is likely to remain in place and abortion legal for the foreseeable future, is not sympathetic to the various nit noid harassing measures that are designed more for wedge purposes than for real effect, believes that there would always need to be exceptions to any attempt to restrict abortion and, given the status quo, assigns no priority to the issue. I would classify him, even if he would not himself, as one of those Republicans that would like to see the Party move on from the topic, and his election as representing no threat to pro-choice voters. Of course, these are questions that pro-choice voters should ask for themselves.)