A New York Times profile on Ken
Mehlman touts the formerly closeted Republican's increasing credentials
as a gay rights advocate.
Mehlman, the former chair of the
Republican National Committee (RNC), came out gay in 2010, saying
that he wanted to work on the issue of legalizing marriage rights for
gay and lesbian couples.
After Mehlman came out, many gay
activists criticized him for working against the interests of the gay
community, particularly as manager of President George W. Bush's 2004
re-election campaign. That year, eleven states approved marriage
bans with the backing of the GOP.
The 46-year-old Mehlman told the paper
that coming out “has been a little bit like the Tom Sawyer funeral,
where you show up at your own funeral and you hear what people really
think.”
“A big part of one's brain that used
to worry about this issue has now been freed to worry about things
that are much more productive.”
The
Times quoted friends as saying that “Ken Mehlman's
apology tour” was over and the paper touted his legitimate
successes in winning over Republicans on gay rights.
“Deploying his vast Rolodex but
staying mostly behind the scenes, he has worked with the White House
to repeal the military's 'don't ask, don't tell' policy; lobbied
lawmakers to legalize same-sex marriage in states like New York,
Minnesota and New Hampshire; served as an informal adviser to
Republicans including Senator Rob Portman of Ohio, who backed
marriage rights after learning his son is gay; and recruited
Republican donors, helping to raise $4.5 million for gay causes,
including an antibullying campaign.”
And Chad Griffin, president of the
Human Rights Campaign (HRC), praised Mehlman as “one of the single
greatest successful strategists for Republicans.”
“And now he's on our side,” Griffin
added.