November 7, 2011 | Sex & Society

"Out" celebrates former Bush adviser

It is not difficult to understand why Out would list Ken Mehlman as one of its picks for the top 100 most inspiring LGBT figures in 2011; the editors knew the controversial choice would get all the blogs talking. It worked, but sadly lowered many people's esteem for a publication devoted to furthering the gay cause.

Mehlman, for those not familiar with the name, used to work as George W. Bush's campaign manager and was once chairman of the Republican National Committee. In 2004, for example, he helped with the push to get 11 states to hold votes on constitutional amendments to ban same-sex marriage, knowing the issue would drive supporters to the polls and help get Bush re-elected.

"For all those millions of people made miserable by Ken Mehlman? Forgiven," Joe Jervis of JoeMyGod wrote. "The kids who killed themselves because of relentlessly vicious campaigns spawned by Ken Mehlman? Forgotten. The antigay politicians funded last year by Ken Mehlman? Ignored."

Mehlman came out during an interview with The Atlantic in 2010, and immediately declared he was now focused on helping the fight for gay rights.

Out called Mehlman a "the stealth activist" who was "quietly instrumental" in passing marriage equality in New York, using his contacts to help swing Republican support in favor of same-sex unions.

"I can understand why some readers will feel it’s inappropriate to acknowledge someone who worked to elect a president whose electoral success was achieved in some measure by exploiting homophobic sentiment in the Republican base, but Ken Mehlman has undergone a personal and political journey since he came out as a gay man in 2010," Out magazine editor in chief Aaron Hicklin said.

"I think that’s worth acknowledging, particularly given his role in working for cross-party support for marriage equality in New York , as well as in California as board member for the American Foundation for Equal Rights which is working to overturn Proposition 8. His work to repeal 'don’t ask, don’t tell,' and raising millions for the cause aren’t minor achievements either." 

Because he, single-handedly, made the difference in New York, and in just one year made up for all the years of damage he caused the gay community?

Forgiven? Out Picks Ken Mehlman Among 100 Who Inspire [The Advocate]

Architect Of Anti-Gay State Amendments Named To Out Magazine's "Out 100" [JoeMyGod]

Don’t Forgive Gay Traitor Ken Mehlman [Gawker]