Family Reunion Surprise: When the Party's Not a Party for Gay Guy

Straight Guy,

Rolling back home. Now that I have good Internet access again, here's a quick post to tell you a surprise I learned.

My parents are Republicans.

It's less surprising than learning, say, that they are water skiers or getting a divorce, but still jaw dropping.

Mom and I were having a coffee and waiting for my dad for breakfast at the lodge in the state park where the reunion was being held. I told her that when I am in restaurants, airport lounges, etc., I look around at other people and play a silent game called "which ones are Democrats and which ones are Republicans." I said to her, "I think we've got lots of 'Rs' in here."

To which she answered: "You have two at this table."

Turns out my parents are registered as Republicans. The only words that I could get out were that I hoped they voted their conscience and not their party when they got into the voting booth.

My parents are pretty middle of the road, in all things, but certainly in politics. They don't talk about politics much at all. Well, they don't talk about their beliefs, obviously, since I didn't get their party affiliation. I would have said they were conservative Democrats; now I guess the one bright spot is that I'd call them liberal Republicans.

Gotta run. More later on the final leg home.

--Gay Guy