Inside and Out: The Odyssey of a Gay Conservative

Millions of young men and women all over the country dream of one day walking the corridors of power in the nation’s capital. Bob Kabel was one who got to live the dream when he worked on the staff of two U.S. senators and President Ronald Reagan. Some of the obstacles he faced were typical: gaining knowledge and maturity, thriving in hyper competitive arenas, and earning the favor of key mentors. But some obstacles were less common. These days, being gay or lesbian is not widely considered a hindrance to a successful career, but in the 50s, 60s, and 70s, being gay was at the very least awkward and could at times be quite dangerous. That includes Bob’s experience of being kidnapped, robbed, and shot by a young hustler in Nashville, Tennessee.

Aside from the physical danger, being gay could be the equivalent of the scarlet letter for a young man with designs on making his mark in Republican politics. Somehow, Bob persevered. Inside and Out is his story.