"Here's to John McCain and Sarah Palin!"
This toast, common enough during the Republican National Convention, was less expected from a group of young gay men clanking cocktails at the Gay 90s earlier this week.
A gay Republican might be an oxymoron to some. Don't tell that to Steve Majors, 28, a California delegate from Los Angeles. Majors and his friends -- all gay and some delegates -- hit the town each night after the convention.
So, who parties harder, gay Democrats or gay Republicans? "Oh, we party way harder," Majors said.
He and his crew made that quite evident as they hit private parties and such gay bars as the Gay 90s, the Saloon and the 19 Bar. Their conservatism was the topic of conversation, maybe because a reporter was along, but for another reason, too. On his first night out, Majors befriended Curtis Dorgan, a liberal from Rochester, Minn., and he invited Dorgan out with them each night of the convention.
"It added an extra flavor to the week," Majors said.
Majors' GOP comrades, especially Jeff Guillory, a member of the gay Log Cabin Republicans, enjoyed debating the issues, challenging gay liberals with, "What have the Democrats done for you?"
On Sunday, this group of L.A. guys -- and Dorgan -- decided to check out the Gay 90s in downtown Minneapolis. Over vodka tonics and martinis, and in gay clubs up and down Hennepin Avenue, the group members reaffirmed their belief in the Republican Party.
