Speaker of the House  Newt Gingrich

Speaker of the House Donates an Autographed Calendar Draws Highest Bid at National Gay & Lesbian Task Force Auction   Compiled by Badpuppy’s GayToday From NGLTF Reports

"Newt Gingrich has been trying to turn back the clock. Now he wants to take back the whole calendar," said Kerry Lobel, executive director of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force. "We were originally dubious of the worth of such a liberally distributed item, but the Speaker has just significantly increased its value." 

Coordinators for NGLTF’s second annual Capital Pride Auction that was held the next day, sent hundreds of donation requests for the event to celebrities and political figures. More than 600 items were received from notables such as Oprah Winfrey,  Elizabeth Taylor, and Rosie O’Donnell. 

Gingrich, one of the most homophobic members of Congress, routinely sends autographed "Friends of Newt" calendars to charitable organizations. Brooke Ransom of Gingrich’s office sent the autographed calendar to NGLTF on March 12 with a letter stating, "I hope the event is a great success!" 

 But Friday, Ransom  sent another letter saying, "The calendar was sent to you  without the Speaker’s knowledge or approval" and "Anyone  who has followed his career knows that he is not supportive  of the Gay and Lesbian Task Force (sic)." 

"We actually have been following the Speaker’s career but were not aware that he had a specific position on the Task Force," continued Lobel. "We will be requesting a meeting to brief him on our agenda of fairness and equality for all people." 

At Saturday’s auction the signed calendar from Gingrich and the accompanying correspondence garnered the highest bid at a charity auction for the National Gay and Lesbian Task  Force (NGLTF). 

After much spirited bidding, the  "Gingrich Package" went for a whopping $1900. 

"We’re incredibly grateful to Speaker Gingrich for his generosity and his help," stated NGLTF’s Executive Director. "The Speaker has our assurance that we will commit the proceeds from his calendar and the letters to fighting the anti-gay intolerance and discrimination he spurs.”   

The Speaker’s office also aided, albeit indirectly, in garnering not only money but publicity for the event. The auction, along with letters from his office, was mentioned in yesterday’s Washington Post ("Style Section.") 

Appropriately, the winner of the "Gingrich Package" lives in Georgia and was raised in Cobb County, Gingrich’s own home county.  

"Contrary to the reputation Newt Gingrich gives Georgia, our state is at the forefront of pro-gay and pro-lesbian issues. I thought it fitting to bring the calendar home to Newt since he was so generous to give it to us," said Garrith Xavier-Carey, the winning bidder and a real estate professional from Atlanta.