The 2016 Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) wrapped up this weekend—it's basically Lolapalooza for Tea Party wingnuts, professional homophobes and others making money off the hate industry.

Usually gays are kept at arm's length—Even the Log Cabin Republicans were recognition last year.

But FOX News contributor Guy Benson, who is openly gay, participated in a panel on "A Conversation on Religious Liberty and Marriage in America"

The takeaway? Gays and their allies need to be tolerant of bigots. "[What] coexistence really looks like in America today is disagreeing with someone on marriage and not trying to sue their business out of existence because they disagree."

It's not so much people "disagreeing" that bugs us, Guy, as it is folks who refuse to sell us homes, serve us food and give us marriage licenses.

Benson, who says he personally supports marriage equality, insists progressives have created a hostile environment that doesn't allow for discussion.

"If you’re a Democrat, if you’re a liberal and you might hold traditional views on marriage, you probably don’t want to talk about it very much for fear of the wrath and judgment of your fellow so-called 'open-minded leftists.'"

Right, because LGBT advocates are the ones who compare heterosexuality to bestiality and pedophilia?

Benson came out as gay last year in his book End of Discussion, with a simple, footnote: “Guy here. So, I’m gay." He told an interviewer that "gay rights is not something that dominates my attentions—or my passions."

You don't say.

h/t: Towleroad