2015考研英阅读理解精读P12—历史学.docVIP

2015考研英语阅读理解精读P12—历史学 　Passage 12 　　Imagine asking a presidential candidate to sit down for a sensitivity session on gay and lesbian issues. Thats exactly what we did last week in Austin, Texas. George W. Bush invited us, a dozen gay Republicans, after hed refused to meet with a gay Republican group that had criticized him. Our meeting set an important precedent: never again will a major-party candidate be able to run for president without addressing gay and lesbian issues. 　　Bush didnt like everything we had to say. I was struck by his lack of familiarity with the issues, as well as by his desire to learn. I described how my partner, Rob Morris, and I have been in a 17-year relationship. We both come from healthy, strong, religious families. Rob grew up in a conservative Republican family in Georgia; I come from a longtime Republican family in Wisconsin. Im now the vice president of my Lutheran church. I wanted Governor Bush to understand that long-term, loving relationships, stable families, strong faith-based traditions and Republican voting histories are all part of the gay and lesbian community. 　　Our stories had an impact. Bush admitted that, growing up in Texas, he had not been as open to elements of Americas diverse culture. He had a narrow set of friends and a firm set of traditions. But he was surprised and dismayed to hear that people saw him as intolerant. What have I said that sent that signal? he asked repeatedly. We confronted him about his reported statement that if you were openly gay or lesbian you would not be considered for a job in his administration. I never said that, he insisted, assuring us he would hire gays and lesbians who both were qualified and shared his political views. 　　Our perspective was clearly eye-opening to him. When one of us talked about his lesbian sister and her partner adopting children, the governor acknowledged his often-stated belief that gays should not adopt. Now youre telling me of a very loving, caring relationsh