Current Affairs

Gay couple buy JebBushForPresident.com, and won’t give it up

Jan 28 2015
Written by Joseph McCormick

Illustrated rainbow pride flag on a pink background.

A gay couple have bought the domain JebBushForPresident.com, and have said they will not give it up, as they intend to use it to launch a site to inform the public about issues faced by LGBT people.

The domain is owned by CJ Phillips and Charlie Rainwater, who bought it in 2008.

Former Governor of Florida Jeb Bush recently called for “respect” to people “on all sides” of the marriage debate despite branding same-sex marriage “a distraction” during the 2012 presidential campaign.

The Republican – who is the son of former President George Bush, and the younger brother of former President George W Bush – is seen by many as the next potential Republican Presidential candidate.

The site currently reads: “Hi there, and welcome to the page. CJ and Charlie are two guys in a great relationship who are looking to inform our friends and family about some of the challenges we face being part of the LGBT community.

“This page is intended to prompt understanding, insight, and healthy dialogue in the ever changing landscape of civil rights and social justice. Now we just need to find some time!”

In an email, Phillips told Business Insider that “Tentative plans were to essentially blog about how we felt about various legislation happening nationally and worldwide.”

“We didn’t see LGBT equality getting any better, and we felt said rights would more than likely still be in the spotlight in the run up for the next several election cycles. Jeb’s name was already being bandied about in the news as a potential presidential candidate, and we felt sure he’d be running in a future election.”

They have had offers for the site, but have so far turned them down.

Speaking during the 2012 Presidential campaign, Bush said: “I don’t think people need to be discriminated against because they don’t share my belief on this, and if people love their children with all their heart and soul and that’s what they do and that’s how they organise their life that should be held up as examples for others to follow because we need it.

“We desperately need it and that can take all sorts of forms. It doesn’t have to take the one that I think should be sanctioned under the law.”