Quotes of the day: We may not have learned much about what it means, or feels like, to be a gay Republican, but at least someone asked

"You learn to compartmentalize really well."
--a gay "Republican strategist," speaking anonymously to the New York Times ("Foley Case Upsets Tough Balance of Capitol Hill’s Gay Republicans," by Mark Leibovich, with reporting "contibuted" by Jeff Zeleny)

"There are just going to be days when it's hard to be a gay Republican."
--Brian Bennett, a "gay Republican political consultant" who was "longtime chief of staff" to former California Rep. Bob Dornan (better known as "B-1 Bob" for his rabid support of the B-1 bomber, in his time one of the farthest-right-wing House members, and almost certainly the loudest and looniest--hey, the competition wasn't as tough back then)

You could argue that in at least one respect, as a civics lesson, the Mark Foley scandal has been a potentially educational experience for Americans. Suddenly we are hearing and reading the names of congressional chiefs of staff and even lowlier staffers. It's one of our infrequent glimpses into the way our government actually works. This could be instructive if the primary purpose weren't rooting out and showcasing scapegoats.

Because, yes, it's gay staffers we're hearing about, mostly. Specifically, Republican gay staffers. And as is pointed out occasionally (by me, for example, in this space recently), the corridors of power are full of 'em. However, as Leibovich reports:

Gay Republicans tend to be less open about their sexual orientation than their Democratic counterparts. Even though the G.O.P. fashions itself as "the party of Lincoln" and a promoter of tolerance, it is perceived as hostile by many gay men and lesbians. Republicans have promoted a "traditional values" agenda, while some conservatives have turned the "radical gay subculture" into a reliable campaign villain.

Mr. Bennett, interestingly, "disclosed that he was gay after [emphasis added] his tenure" with B-1 Bob. "I made a point of always dating women," he told the NYT.

When asked why he remains in the party, Mr. Bennett gave an answer common to gay Republicans: he said that he remained fundamentally in sync with the small government principles of the party and its approach to national security, and that he was committed to changing what he considers its antigay attitudes.

"I'm fighting hard, every day," said Mr. Bennett, who was among a small group of gay Republicans who met with George W. Bush during his 2000 presidential campaign. [That sure worked out well, right?--Ed.]

Like Mr. Bennett, other gay staff members wind up working for politicians they consider infamous for their inflammatory remarks and hostility to their cause.

Robert Traynham, the top communications aide to Senator Rick Santorum, Republican of Pennsylvania, endured the fallout from an interview with The Associated Press in 2003 in which Mr. Santorum seemed to equate homosexuality with bestiality, bigamy and incest, among other things. Mr. Traynham had been openly gay for years, but that was not widely known in his professional life--until a gay rights advocate revealed his sexual orientation last year. Mr. Traynham confirmed the report, and Mr. Santorum issued a statement in support of his aide.

In contrast to what many view as the right's increasingly antigay rhetoric, members of both parties say there has been a growing tolerance for gay men and lesbians within the Republican ranks.

As long as they know their place, of course--and don't go around suggesting publicly that it's, you know, okay to be gay.