ASU Republicans "coming out of the closet"

Scanning through some sites today, I came across the main page of the ASU Republicans, in which they list their upcoming events. The following caught my attention:

Though it has been postponed, The College Republicans at Arizona State University are ready to launch the second annual Conservative Pride Week on the week for April 17th. Make sure you come to campus and check out our table!

4/17/06 - Monday - Conservative Coming Out Day - Are you proud to be a Conservative? SHOUT IT OUT TO THE WORLD (or at least ASU)! You can come out of an actual Conservative Closet!

I found it somewhat amusing and not a little ironic that a "Conservative" college group - the largest student political organization on campus - is using gay activist verbiage to promote their identity.

I'm not sure whether this is "message confusion" or whether young GOPers truly see themselves as daringly revolutionary. I know Tempe (and ASU in particular) run more liberal, but surely the GOP can't imagine itself as a persecuted minority in the state that still idolizes Goldwater.

Of course, it could just be ironic camp. But what is more interesting, perhaps, is the implication that young GOPers are developing such a general tolerance for assimilating GLBTs into their worldview that they wouldn't balk at co-opting even the very obvious tropes of classic GLBT activism for their own identity.

One wonders what a "Conservative Pride" parade would look like, after all. I imagine there'd be lots of red, white and blue confetti. Elephants with rainbow flags draped from their sides. Brokeback Senator Kyl in a cowboy hat and leather chaps, escorting J.D. Hayworth in a Liza Minelli outfit and feather boa.

Okay, maybe not that last one.

[Update: Initial reports that an effigy of Jimmy Carter was burned at the event are thus far unconfirmed.]