Openly gay Rep. Jim Kolbe (R-AZ) was greeted with anti-gay signs and silent protest during his free-trade speech at the Republican Convention on Tuesday. Some Republicans feared that allowing Kolbe to speak would allow gay rights advocates to “claim victory” within the Republican Party. While supporters of presidential candidate George W. Bush point to Kolbe’s appearance as evidence of Bush’s “tolerance”, this claim is belied by the staunchly anti-gay Republican Platform, which opposes gay marriage, gay military service, and hate-crimes legislation to protect victims of violence against gays.
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