Robert Turner is the president of Washington, D.C.’s chapter of Log Cabin Republicans. Photo by Timagnus D. Traylor.
who was infamously overweight and undeniably at the peak of his career.
An hour into the game, an opponent started calling him Big Pappa and refused to deal Turner his cards. “I was like, ‘Dude, give me your cards.’ By the third time, I was trying to get his attention and said, ‘Little bitch, give Big Pappa his cards.’ “ Turner says he growled and the surprised room exploded into a thunderous roar of laughter. From that moment on, the nickname Big Pappa stuck. He’s adopted it as his online identity, blogging and tweeting unapologetically honest musings on pop culture, politics and life as a gay, black conservative under the moniker.
Coming Out as a Black, Gay Republican
Growing up he could never be this open.
Raised Missionary Baptist by his god-fearing grandmother in Austin, Texas, Turner realized around sixth grade that something was different about him.
“I didn’t want Jessie’s girl,” he pauses with a Kool-Aid smile, “I wanted Jessie.”
When he was around 12 years-old, his best friend’s name was Jessie and all his friends jammed to Rick Springfield’s 1981 hit, “Jessie’s Girl.” Letting out a deep, belly laugh as he recalls his Aha! moment, his octave drops and gets dead serious.
“I knew I couldn’t say anything. It was just obvious. That’s the time boys are attracted to girls and vice-versa. It seemed odd to say anything. So I didn’t.”
Plus, he practically lived in a church where homosexuality wasn’t tolerated or talked about. Sundays were jam-packed with Sunday school and worship service; Tuesday nights included hours of usher practice and Thursdays were choir rehearsal. On any given day, his grandmother could be found going toe-to-toe with Jehovah’s Witnesses who tried to challenge her on the Word. She always had a bible within arm’s reach, he recalls.
It wasn’t until sophomore year in high school that he started meeting classmates who were open—but not out—about being gay. After seeing how badly they were treated in the halls, he told himself, “You’re not going to do that to me.”
Turner says gay bullying is rooted in the human tendency to form cliques. Cliques aren’t bad in and of themselves, but they becomes unhealthy when they ostracize or taunt outsiders. Children will always make fun of something they perceive as different – fat, tall, freckles, red hair, poor, gay. You can’t legislate children on the playground. But you can help educate teachers and parents that words have meaning, he says.
He encourages gay youth who feel rejected to join support groups as, Parents, Families & Friends of Lesbians and Gays and the Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network. They do amazing work striving to assure that students across the country are valued and respected regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, he says.
When Richard Grenell, Mitt Romney’s former foreign policy spokesman, resigned after drawing criticism from some social conservatives for being openly gay, Turner understood. It sucks for the campaign but it’s better for his peace of mind, he says solemnly.
Turner’s circle of family and friends were overwhelmingly supportive when he came out 11 years ago, a secret he’d been holding onto most of his life. He said releasing the weight felt liberating.
Eleven years prior, he had dropped the bomb that he was a Republican.
“Huh? What the hell?!” He jerks his head back in a dramatic re-enactment of the responses of his friends and family.
When asked how he can be a gay Republican, he simply points to a rainbow flag and echoes the mantra “strength through diversity.”
His confidence as a conservative has grown ten-fold since growing up in one of the most liberal counties in
About the Author
There is truth that GOP once advocated favoured Blacks; however, as the USA got more economically organised the Dems happens to represent the view that affect the demographic that the majority of blacks fit into.
So yes, Bro Turner has to know his history and understand the evolution of the economic and social realities of the USA and how this has affected the various demographic groups within the population.
Also, this same issue that prevents O from trying to be champion for a particular race. It is easier to champion (and to stomach in this racially charged climate) the cause of a demographic group and capture a targeted constituent group in the effort.
Turner, keep the Myth!
So, he’s a republican because he approves of lower taxes and less government? Seems as though he identifies with “white being right” – - his comment about President being arrogant? Really? What about Romney? He is a large black man who has found his niche being a big black fish in a sea of great white whales, that is his distinction. *YAWN*
Hey…Good for Mr. Turner if he’s comfortable and living his life in congruence with his values but spare me the revisionist history which Melody already addressed above. Next thing you know he’ll be adding his voice to the cacophony lauding all the blacks that fought on the side of the Confederacy.
“Big Pappa” comes across as likable, and courageous in being openly gay, but a real lightweight when it comes to both history and theology. The Republican Party of Lincoln’s day was the precise opposite of today’s party; if MLK was a Republican, I’ll eat my Civil Rights Movement library. And Joel Osteen? Please! His “God wants you to be prosperous” gospel is antithetical to the teachings of Jesus of Nazareth, who urged his followers to give all they had to the poor.
This was a great profile piece, Rachel. Really enjoyed you’re approach to Turner. I’d be curious to know if he has ever felt condescended to in his party, whether he feels he’s been embraced by the conservative movement and how he makes sense of the party’s complex post civil rights era legacy of using the racial threat to attract bigots.