Taking all the heat.

At first Oregon gay Republican Chuck Carpenter was targeted by gays; now he's caught the ire of the religious right

Energized by its defeat in 1997 of a gay rights initiative in Washington State, the religious right is targeting some of the most vulnerable among us: gay politicians.

The latest gay politico to come under attack is Oregon state representative Chuck Carpenter, a Republican and supporter of conservative U.S. senator Gordon Smith. Gay groups such as the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund have scrambled to marshal support for Carpenter in the May 19 Oregon primary, but he has not always enjoyed widespread popularity among gay men and lesbians. In fall 1995 he drew fire from gay activists for backing Smith, who had accepted the endorsement of the Oregon Citizens Alliance, a right-wing group that advocates pro-life and antigay causes. At that time Lee Coleman, director of Log Cabin Republicans of Oregon, a gay organization, asked for Carpenter's expulsion from Log Cabin's national board.

The Advocate caught up with Carpenter on the campaign trail and talked with him about what it's like to be stuck in the middle of one of the bloodiest political battles ever fought--the battle between those who support the religious right and those who support equal rights for lesbians and gay men.

What sort of swipes has the Right taken at you already?

I think there's always the rumor campaign that's going on out there. They're never very open about it. In the last session ... I held up the legislature for a day and a half to move a statewide nondiscrimination bill, a statewide [Employment Non-Discrimination Act]. The take will be that Chuck Carpenter held up the legislature for a day and a half to promote his lifestyle. I think the way they go about it is phone banking. They call and say, "Did you know that Chuck Carpenter is gay?"

Do you think most of your constituent know that Chuck Carpenter is gay?

I think after this last session it is well-known that I'm gay.

And it's not a problem?

I represent a lot of other things as well. A great deal of my district is rural. They really like me because I've been supportive of their issues. I may be the first person who they know is gay. I've spent a great deal of time with those folks, and they appreciate it.

Some would argue that you had a small part in creating the very army that's now out to got you. I'm referring to the Gordon Smith/OCA debacle back in 1995, of course.

That's ridiculous! I've had nothing to do with creating the army that's out to get me. I've supported Sen. Gordon Smith, and he's been enormously supportive of me. He's gone to bat for Jim Hormel. He's talked about this in the Senate Republican caucus. He's told them they're justifying, by their own actions, the need for nondiscrimination legislation. I would add that that presence in the Republican Party helps educate people. The best way to end discrimination is for people to know a gay or lesbian.

Do you think gay Democrats and gay Republicans will ever be able to bury the proverbial hatchet and fight as a team when it comes to defeating the radical right's antigay forces?

My experience in the Oregon house last session was that the only way you can move this type of legislation is through bipartisan support. If we allow ourselves to become divided along partisan lines in the gay community, we'll never accomplish what we set out to accomplish.

Isn't it brutal being a gay Republican?

It has its moments. But, you know, it's really gratifying to look at someone like Senator Smith and realize I was the person who changed this man's mind. He was ignorant of gay and lesbian issues. I stepped in at a time that was very controversial and took an enormous amount of heat from the gay community because of my endorsement of him. I take a lot of pride in being able to change a very conservative man's opinion of gays and lesbians.

Do you regret coming out, at lead when it comes to your political career?

Coming out of the closet was the best thing I ever did. I have absolutely no regrets. To have a political life and to be closeted would be a hellacious experience.

You're not the first--nor will you be the last--gay politician to come under attack by the radical right. When it comes to dealing with these people, what advice do you have for others?

Represent your district. Be open and honest about your sexuality. If you have an agricultural district, make sure you represent those interests well. If education is a big issue in your district, make sure you represent those issues well. Be a good legislator, and when it comes time to fight the right fight for equality and to end discrimination, you'll find you've made a lot of friends. Don't shy away from controversy.