- Home
- About Us
- Contributors
- Departments
- Topics
- Back Issues
- Weekly Archives
- AmSpecBlog
- Subscribe
- Newsletter
- Advertise
- Donate
- Contact Us
- Daily Digest
- Templeton Essays
Special Report
Reagan and Milk
If you have seen Milk, the biopic of slain San Francisco City Supervisor Harvey Milk starring Sean Penn, then you will be aware that much of the plot focuses on Milk's efforts to defeat a 1978 California ballot initiative known as Proposition 6. This initiative would be defeated that November and in the movie Milk is given the lion's share of the credit for its demise.
Had Proposition 6 (also known as the Briggs Initiative, as it was initiated by Republican State Senator John Briggs) passed, it would have become legal for teachers to be fired if it were known they were gay or lesbian. A teacher could also be fired for publicly supporting homosexuality.
There is little doubt Milk's yeoman efforts against Proposition 6 were significant. Yet if it were not for the intervention of Ronald Reagan the initiative would have almost certainly passed. Milk, to its credit, notes Reagan's opposition to Proposition 6. However, its acknowledgement doesn't properly do justice to how significant Reagan's contribution was to this divisive debate. It is a shame given, the hostility directed towards Reagan by the gay community to this very day due to his perceived indifference to and inaction on AIDS.
Yet Reagan's involvement in defeating Proposition 6 is not lost on all in the gay community. David Mixner, an organizer for the No forces in Los Angeles who would later become a top fundraiser for Bill Clinton in his first bid for the White House, is unambiguous in crediting Reagan for defeating Proposition 6. Mixner wrote in his blog last month:
Despite all our good work, everyone involved had taken the Proposition from 75% in favor of firing homosexual school teachers down to only 55%. We were having a helluva time gaining that last 6%. We knew we needed something big to push us over the top and we needed it soon since we were in the last weeks of the campaign.
There is no doubt in my mind that the man who put us over the top was California Governor Ronald Reagan. His opposition to Proposition 6 killed it for sure.
Actually, Reagan had been out of office for more than three and a half years when he jumped into the fray. Reagan stood absolutely nothing to gain by getting involved in this fight. After all, he did want to take one more stab at becoming the GOP standard bearer for the White House in 1980. In opposing Proposition 6, Reagan ran the risk of alienating a conservative base that had been the bedrock of his support in two terms as Governor of California. This would be especially true in Orange County, the cradle of California conservatism. It was also the home base of State Senator Briggs, who had ambitions to follow in Reagan's footsteps to Sacramento.
Reagan also risked running afoul of Anita Bryant. The singer-turned-orange juice pitchwoman-turned-political activist was squarely behind Proposition 6. Bryant founded and became the spokeswoman for Save Our Children. She was as feared as she was despised by the gay community. The year before, Bryant had persuaded voters in Miami-Dade County to repeal an ordinance prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. Bryant would achieve similar victories in far flung places such as Minneapolis-St. Paul, Wichita, and Eugene, Oregon. Bryant appeared to be an unstoppable force. The sort of force Reagan would need to become the GOP presidential nominee and could ill afford to alienate.
In his book Stranger Among Friends, when Mixner learns of an opportunity to meet with Reagan on the subject he jumps at the chance. The meeting was arranged by a former Reagan staffer who was a closeted homosexual. This former staffer would tell Mixner to use libertarian arguments to make his case. He took this advice to heart when he and his same sex partner Peter Scott met with Reagan. Mixner argued Proposition 6 would lead to chaos in the classroom because it would give students license to accuse teachers of homosexuality when they received bad grades or in retaliation for disciplinary measures. Reagan was receptive to this argument and told Mixner and Scott, "This might be a good day for you boys. Don't think we can allow something like that to happen here in California." If Reagan didn't like disorder at Berkeley, he certainly didn't want it in California's elementary schools either.
Reagan made his objections public first with an informal statement to reporters late that September and again a few days before the vote in a newspaper editorial in the Los Angeles Herald-Examiner. It is clear Proposition 6 offended Reagan's libertarian sensibilities and put government in a place where it did not belong. He writes, "Since the measure does not restrict itself to the classroom, every aspect of a teacher's personal life could presumably come under suspicion." Reagan then asks, "What constitutes 'advocacy' of homosexuality? Would public opposition to Proposition 6 by a teacher -- should it pass -- be considered advocacy?" In this vein, Reagan would also argue that Proposition 6 had "the potential of infringing on basic rights of privacy and perhaps even constitutional rights."
Nearly four million Californians would vote against Proposition 6, representing 58.4% of the vote. Significantly, a majority of Orange County voters would join the rest of the state in opposing the measure, effectively sounding the death knell not only for Proposition 6 but for Briggs' own political ambitions. Bryant would also never again enjoy the same kind of public influence. This would not have happened without Ronald Reagan.
The defeat of Proposition 6 might be summed up in this way. Harvey Milk organized the gay community while Ronald Reagan took care of everybody else. Sean Penn, alas, forgot to thank him on accepting the best actor prize at the Academy Awards last Sunday.
Comments
Leave a Comment
- No Freedom Left Behind
- Feeding the Beast
- Michael Ledeen on Iran and Democracy
Are you in a mob?
The Democrats say Obamacare opponents are a mob. Are they right?
Participating in this survey will subscribe you to the American Spectator email newsletter. You may unsubscribe at any time.
Lawler Nicoteri| 2.26.09 @ 6:59AM
And, removing known honosexuals from teaching positions is bad because ...??? Sorry,
the closet, not the classroom for gay "educators". Do as you will in your world but do not poison young minds with your abhorrent and aberrant practices and beliefs.
Chuck Anziulewicz| 2.26.09 @ 7:17AM
WOW. It's almost as though Aaron Goldstein and the American Spectator were actually admitting that Proposition 6 was a bad measure. Will wonders never cease?
And Ronald Reagan: HERO TO THE GAY COMMUNITY. Who would've thought?
Pingback| 2.26.09 @ 9:11AM
Bollywood and hollywood - Movie reviews, News, gossip » Reagan and Milk links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
RJ| 2.26.09 @ 9:28AM
I'm not sure whose comments are more inane, Lawler's or Chuck's. But neither seem to get what true conservatism is about. Fortunately, Ronald Reagan- and Mr. Goldstein and AmSpec- did, and do.
Michael| 2.26.09 @ 10:03AM
When a homosexual teacher abuses children in California today you can blame it on the fact Prop. 6 did not pass in 1978.
Dustoff| 2.26.09 @ 10:16AM
Michael
Jezzzzz, hey bud. NO teacher should abuse childern.
bobmontgomery| 2.26.09 @ 10:19AM
Sure, it's complicated and confusing, but you can't hardly give an award to someone you despise (sorry G.W., no Nobel for you for AIDS or anything else). Also, the larger purpose. To give credit for someone in one area might invite a look into the likability of some other areas, even in hindsight. Can't have that. Sometimes its tough being a communist. But they soldier on.
HomelessLeRhino| 2.26.09 @ 11:01AM
I work and live in two true blue states, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island. I have over the years informed many here of the Gipper's fine record of courage and service as a lifeguard. At least half, refuse to believe me, even if I show them the proof in books or on the net. They still call him a coward and a draft dodger. These are educated, successful people. The kind who keep spouting we are all in this together. yeah, sure. Read the Wikipedia entry on Reagan's early life. It leaves some doubt that his 77 saves were factual, rather than self boasting. NPR does offer it as clearly factual. Somebody with clout ought to challenge the Wikipedia entry.
Real American| 2.26.09 @ 1:13PM
Now, if only the state would stop promoting homosexuality in schools, regardless of who the teachers are or do.
Michigan-Matt| 2.26.09 @ 1:43PM
"Reagan and Milk"?
Wow, I thought AmSpec was going to share with us some insight about Reagan and the ratcheting up of FDR's farm subsidies during the 1980s.
It was all about gays? Well, when in Hollywood, I guess even Reagan needed to do as Hollywooders did.
Real American with two Dads| 2.26.09 @ 1:52PM
Hey Real American,
Should kids raised by same sex couples be allowed to speak about it in schools to their peers? Secondly, if they are mocked by their classmates should something be done to stop it? These are real children in real classrooms. The reality has existed for more than thiry years. The books you're most likely talking about (heather has two mommies, daddy's roomate) are exist to teach toleration for the children of these couples. You can't teach someone to be gay any more than you can teach blackness or whiteness.
ThinkTank| 2.26.09 @ 2:13PM
The true colours of AmSpec readers in all their hateful glory...
Fire gays? Why not just shoot them?
Michigan-Matty| 2.26.09 @ 2:28PM
Hollywood liberals blacklist Conservatives these days. You can't work in that town if you're Conservative. Plenty of bigots on the left.
Michigan-Matt| 2.26.09 @ 4:31PM
Michigan-Matty? Ewww, aren't we the clever little troll?
MM| 2.26.09 @ 4:48PM
Why, yes, I am. Thank you.
Pingback| 2.26.09 @ 6:00PM
GayPatriot » The Gipper, Milk & Defeating Prop 6 links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Greg| 2.26.09 @ 6:16PM
I have no problem "discriminating" against gays. Homosexuality is a choice, a behavior that has absolutely NO BENEFIT to mankind. It is also a sin. To claim Reagan was right by going against Prop 6 is a pseduo-"libertarian" slant against true conservatism. True conservatives are not pro-gay and see the social problems with accepting/promoting such a lifestyle
RBrown| 2.26.09 @ 6:47PM
Ronald Reagan was a great man. It is a shame that people like Sean Penn and other Hollywooders aren't willing to acknowledge him because of their liberal political ideology.
Michigan-Matty| 2.26.09 @ 8:21PM
Sean Penn is a liberal hack who wouldn't know fairness if it bit him on the butt. Spicoli defines him.
Brian| 2.26.09 @ 11:13PM
This is why we need vouchers, if ppl want to send their kids to a school where men in mini skirts teach so be it, and if ppl want to send their kids where such things are discouraged so be it. Let the parents decide!
Alan Brooks| 2.27.09 @ 10:49AM
I dont like it that gays blame Reagan for not caring about their AIDs-plight.
if you can't keep your trousers on, you pay the piper--
apology for the mixed metaphor.
David| 2.27.09 @ 12:01PM
The copyrighted Ronald Reagan photo is being used without permission or the courtesy of a link to the original source.
Stuart| 2.27.09 @ 1:16PM
Lawler, since homsexual teachers by and large don't preach homsexuality in the classroom, what is the adverse effect of having a homosexual teacher in the classroom? Even one who many students suspect to be homosexual? You either fantastically believe their very presence will alter the sexuality of the students, and/or you believe that if children encounter a likeable homosexual they will be inclined to support the gay activist agenda. You seem unaware of all the Americans-myself included- who completely oppose the idea of gay marriage, for instance, while being revolted by the idea of blacklisting decent Americans from social and economic life because they happen to be homosexual.
Michigan-Matt| 2.27.09 @ 1:45PM
Stuart asks: "Lawler, since homsexual teachers by and large don't preach homsexuality in the classroom, what is the adverse effect of having a homosexual teacher in the classroom?"
Come on Stuart. That's an easy one. Those in favor of discrimination against gays in the classroom or workplace, like Lawler-Brian-Greg, have to be that way because a bigot has just got to bigot his hate all around or else he'll explode.
Now, just because these boys are equal opportunity bigots --I'm sure they would willing discrimination against Latino, hispanic, blacks, the disabled or poor as well as gays-- doesn't mean your likely-shared position on gay marriage matters. It's what a bigot is supposed to with their unused brain capacity. Be a bigot; it's an end in itself, you see?
Heck, it doesn't matter that an arch-conservative and movement leader like Reagan or Goldwater thought this kind of bigotry is wrong. It's in the bigot's nature to, well, be a bigot in front of all. How else will the rest of us know we're the ones with the "wrong" opinions if the bigots don't bigot? And one thing we ALL know about bigots: they're certain they're correct on everything --especially if it's on the farRight.
DaveS| 2.27.09 @ 4:23PM
It just proves that even the Great One has made mistakes.
DaveS| 2.27.09 @ 4:28PM
Oh, and Michigan Matt: Please don't continue the sorry comparisons between race and homosexuality. It is naive to think that the presence of gay teachers in classrooms (another 'soft industry/workplace) has not altered sympathies for several decades. Gee, we used to call them queers, but (as Eastwood said just recently) some names have been too HURTFUL to be used in spite of their usefulness.
Michigan-Matt| 2.27.09 @ 10:37PM
DaveS, the point of the article is that the farLeft (and gayLeft, too) and MSM is all-a'titters about Milk and Sean Penn and the politically correct message contained within that seminal (no pun) movie, but the real champion of gay rights in California and the guy who helped really defeat Prop 6 was former-Governor and future-President Ronald Reagan --leader of the modern conservative movement.
Gays and conservatives. Go figure?
And gee, wasn't it Barry Goldwater who said he thought gays in the military was A-OK because the only thing in the foxhole that needs to be straight is the soldier's aim? Another great conservative leader of the modern movement is ignored by the bigots of today.
When will you guys learn. It can't be all about abortion or the UN 24x7x365... there are other issues.
Stuart| 2.27.09 @ 11:11PM
Dave, please take note of all the Americans who oppose laws hounding homosexuals out of jobs but who believe strongly in perserving traditional marriage.
Also, since the sexuality of teachers mostly goes undetected by students, you can hardly assert that the debate on homosexual political issues is great altered. Now, the content of sexual education classes and speech codes is something you should be concerned with.
But even if
Stuart| 2.28.09 @ 1:25AM
Sorry for that dangling bit at the end of my last post.
I just wanted to say that even if attitudes on homosexual issues are affected by heterosexuals having positive experiences with a homosexual teacher, then so be it. Liberty for all citizens regardless of their race, creed, or sexual practices is a value not to be compromised.
If same sex is a bad idea- and I believe it is- then let's argue against it on its merits, not by launching witchhunts. And, by the way, if the fear of the "other" is going to affect hiring practices, then why shouldn't, say, a mostly Baptist town keep non-Baptists out of the classroom. Now, not hiring a Catholic to teach in a Baptist religious school is one thing, but would you support a public school discriminating against non-Baptists because many people in the town wish to rule out any possibility that a child might stray from his family's religion because he had a good experience with a Catholic teacher?
Michigan-Matt| 2.28.09 @ 7:36PM
Ronald Reagan did more for gay rights in publicly opposing the bigoted haters on Prop 6 than any other major public figure at the time.
Reagan knew and believed in the key words of the Declaration of Independence...
"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men..."
The government is there to secure the unalienable right to "pursue happiness" and live in equality and liberty. Unfortunately for the bigot hating farRighters who sometimes comment here, that includes govt advancing the equal treatment of gays.
No way to get around it. Nada. None. It's an inescapable conclusion if you believe in the Nation's founding documents and Founding Fathers.
poloty| 3.1.09 @ 12:50PM
Redtube Cam
bjhnj| 8.20.09 @ 1:24AM
Always leading the avant-garde of fashion without compromising traditional craftsmanship of luxury leather goods
Louis Vuitton
Louis Vuitton Replica
Louis Vuitton outlet is also active in other ...
CheapLouis VuittonReplica Handbags,Purses,Wallets Outlet and
Louis Vuitton Replica
Designer Bags,Shoes Outlet Store - discount price is our special offer, ...
Louis Vuitton Outlet
Tiffany| 8.30.09 @ 10:44PM
abercrombie and fitch on Sale, Hoodies, Jeans, T-Shirts, Pants, Polos
abercrombie fitch and
fitch abercrombie fitch abercrombie cheap abercrombie fitch Abercrombie Men Tee abercrombie
womens polos Abercrombie & Fitch Men, women, and children's clothing and accessories
edhardylife a famous Ed Hardy store which sell directly
Ed Hardy Clothing shoes, boots, swim suit and other
cheap ed hardy Ed Hardy cheap Ed Hardy ed hardy clothing,Providing authentic Ed Hardy Clothing
with competitive price and fast,secure delivery.The famous brand by Don Ed Hardy 's Vintage Ed Hardy
dropshippngwatch| 8.31.09 @ 3:13AM
Replica Watches
Fake Watch
Sales Replica Watches
Replica Watches Trade
Replica Watches
Replica Watch
Fake Watches
Replica Ferrari Watches
Replica Fortis Watches
Replica Franck Muller Watches
Replica Graham Watches
Replica Gucci Watches
Replica Guess Watches
Replica Harry Winston Watches
Replica Hermes Watches
Replica Hublot Watches
Replica Hugo Boss Watches
http://www.dropshippingwatch.com
Proj| 8.31.09 @ 3:01PM
I recently came across your blog and have been reading along.
I thought I would leave my first comment. I don't know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading.
Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often.
project free tv
Wedding Dresses| 9.9.09 @ 9:14AM
By seeing this article, I understandWedding Dresses
Designer Wedding Gowns
a lot, learned a lot of knowledge
uggboots| 10.15.09 @ 10:12PM
Your site is excellent, and I really like.
In the present lively world, food and clothing put on the line in our life have already to obtain the sublimation, life needs the entertainment,each kinds of color and design are finitely looks like the young women's hairstyle , every day them wearing uggboots shose
fsdjk| 10.16.09 @ 3:53AM
shanghai massage
turntable bearings