Since 1961, two-thirds of the states have repealed their sodomy laws. This reflects a growing concensus among most Americans that homosexuals are very much a part of our society.

Until the early 90s, the gay civil right movement had made little effort to reach out to Conservatives in the GOP who are not opposed to gay civil rights. Instead, many of our organizations and leaders have repeatedly taken stands that seem calculated to offend them. If gay and lesbian liberation means a New Left-style assault on mainstream American values and institutions, like the regulated market system we now enjoy, then those would be sympathetic to the cause of gay civil rights will oppose us because they see no advantage in standing up for gays.

Opposing affirmative action and gun control, support for balanced budgets even at the expense of social programs, and favoring school choice in the form of vouchers all, like free markets and tax cuts and dislike of government regulation and lawsuit abuse, are consistent with gay equality. But, it is also incompatible with the views of one or another part of the progressive coalition to which the gay civil rights movement seems wedded.

If we can show the broad middle of America that gays do not oppose them on a wide range of important economic and social issues, we may win their trust and support. We can show them that equality for gays does not threaten the national concensus in favor of limited government, and even most traditional values.

None of this will persuade committed gay leftists to slough off their own political agenda, nor should it. Nor should it lead us to the conceit so common on the left that any position we take on these issues is the true "gay position".