Last week, President Obama’s proclamation of support for same-sex marriage has breathed new life into the discussion over gay rights in the United States. And while support for same-sex marriage amongst the general public has been increasing at an unprecedented rate, 43 percent of the American public still oppose allowing gays and lesbians to legally marry. However, many people in the opposition have one thing in common: they don’t know a gay person.

For many, supporting gay rights doesn’t come as a result of their own politics or ideology, but because of their own personal experiences – when one knows a person that identifies as LGBT, whether it be a family member, a friend, or even a co-worker, it’s harder for one to justify denying that individual the same rights that are afforded to any heterosexual individual. And Republicans aren’t an exception to this.

In 2009, former Vice President Dick Cheney reiterated his endorsement of gay marriage, citing his daughter Mary, who is a lesbian, as one of the reasons for his decision to support it. In Washington state, where the state legislature recently passed a bill that would legalize same-sex marriage, Republican State Senator Maureen Walsh who was once opposed to gay marriage, voted for the bill after her daughter came out to her as a lesbian. She described her decision to support same-sex marriage by saying:

In some selfish way I did think what an affront to my beautiful daughter, who deserves something everybody else has in this country. It’s selfishness, but it’s motivated by love. And I’d rather err on the side of love, wouldn’t you?

For many Republicans, supporting and even embracing gay marriage has nothing to do with their politics. It’s about the love and compassion they have for others, not what their party advocates. In this case, love conquers all, including politics.

Posted: May 17th, 2012 under From the Right, GOP Progress, In the News.

Earlier this week, the Virginia House of Delegates voted 33-31 against confirming Richmond prosecutor Tracy Thorne-Begland to a General District Court judgeship in Richmond. He had needed 51 votes in the 100-member chamber to win appointment. Thorne-Begland, who is gay, was denied the judgeship by delegates who argued that his support for gay marriage and his prior challenge to the military’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy made him unfit for the bench.

Log Cabin Republicans strongly condemn the actions of the Virginia Delegates that voted against Thorne-Begland on the basis of his sexual orientation. The Richmond prosecutor has qualifications tailor-made for a judgeship on Richmond’s General District Court. Thorne-Begland is a former naval aviator, a graduate of University of Richmond’s School of Law, and has served more than 10 years as a prosecutor. There’s no reason why he shouldn’t have been confirmed.

A spokesman for Governor Bob McDonnell had this to say on behalf of the Governor in regard to the House of Delegates’ failure to confirm Thorne-Begland to the General District Court:

The Governor believes candidates for judicial vacancies must be considered based solely on their merit, record, aptitude and skill. No other factors should ever be considered and the Governor has long made clear that discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation is not acceptable in state government.

We applaud Governor McDonnell for continuing to voice his belief that discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation is unacceptable and standing up for the LGBT community. While Thorne-Begland’s failure to be confirmed is a disappointment, this serves as a reminder to us for the need to pass laws that prohibit employment discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, but in the public and private sectors.

It’s important that liberty-minded, pragmatic Republicans stand up to those within the party who discriminate against those for who they love, and Governor McDonnell is helping to pave the way for such progress to take place. We look forward to the Governor appointing other out candidates for public positions in the near future.

Posted: May 16th, 2012 under In Focus, In the States.

After today’s press release responding to President Barack Obama’s “evolution” on marriage equality ending a day late and a dollar short for LGBT families in North Carolina (not to mention Maine and California, where the president’s opposition was used to pass ballot antigay ballot measures in 2008 and 2009), some are accusing Log Cabin Republicans of ignoring Governor Mitt Romney’s position on marriage equality. Nothing could be further from the truth. See below for a sampling of Log Cabin Republicans press releases confronting Romney on the issue of marriage.

“There remain serious reservations about recent statements by Romney to so-called “pro-family” groups…Log Cabin Republicans are looking for a candidate who can rebuild the big tent, unite our party and claim a mandate to restore liberty and fiscal responsibility to the United States. Whether that candidate is Romney remains to be seen.”
To Win the White House, Republicans Must Rebuild the Big Tent

“Governor Romney is contorting himself into a pretzel trying to avoid the simplest solution to a purely political problem. …Governor Romney’s proposal to create a stratified system is a recipe for legal chaos…Log Cabin Republicans appreciate the governor’s efforts to find middle ground, but this is not an acceptable solution.”
Log Cabin Republicans Reject Romney’s Marriage Proposal

“Governor Romney is playing to a shrinking demographic by touting his support for an amendment with little popular support and no chance of passing. This is a sharp retreat from Governor Romney’s pledges to Log Cabin Republicans that he would be a staunch advocate for equal rights for gay and lesbian Americans…As the former governor of a state where gay and lesbian couples have been marrying for nearly a decade without incident, Governor Romney should understand that marriage equality is a part of the fabric of America… In light of experience, it is time for Governor Romney to adopt an agenda for the Twenty-First Century.”
In Iowa, Republican Candidates Diverge on Marriage

The list goes on, and should include Log Cabin’s sharp criticisms of the anti-federalist and unconservative National Organization for Marriage pledge, which Mitt Romney signed. Log Cabin Republicans exist to build a stronger, more inclusive GOP, and part of that is speaking up when members of our party cross the line – but part of it is also speaking out when Democrats take LGBT Americans for granted, or use us as political pawns. We stand by our statement – Log Cabin Republicans appreciate that President Obama has finally come in line with leaders like Vice President Dick Cheney on this issue, but LGBT Americans are right to be angry that this calculated announcement comes too late to be of any use to the people of North Carolina. Why not do this 24 hours earlier, Mr. President?

Many in the LGBT community may be willing to instantly forgive and forget the announcement coming too late to make a difference for real North Carolina families, to say that the ends justify the means or to overlook the manipulation and crass political calculus. Here at Log Cabin Republicans, we feel it’s important to remember that our community deserved better, on today of all days. Maybe it’s because an elephant never forgets.

Posted: May 9th, 2012 under Democrats, Elections, From the Right, In the News, Issues in Focus, Log Cabin In Focus, Uncategorized.

Tomorrow is Election Day in North Carolina and while both Republicans and Democrats will go to the polls to vote in their respective primaries, North Carolinians as a whole will be voting on Amendment One – an amendment to the North Carolina State Constitution that on the ballot reads:

Constitutional amendment to provide that marriage between one man and one woman is the only domestic legal union that shall be valid or recognized in this State.

Here’s one thing that so few people realize: gay marriage is already illegal in North Carolina and has been since the NC General Assembly passed a statute forbidding it in 1996. Why then is there a need to go further and pass a constitutional amendment that not only would cement the ban in the state constitution, but also make civil unions illegal as well? This amendment closes off dialogue for future generations to have on this important issue, and when our children and grandchildren look back on our generation and assess what we did to stand up for the rights of all people, will they look back on us fondly should we pass the amendment? – No.

Conservatives, members of the clergy, business leaders, and thousands of everyday North Carolinians have come out against Amendment One. They realize the potential it has to interfere with domestic violence laws, the protection of benefits for partners, both gay and straight, as well as children. The amendment goes far beyond gay rights and marriage, it affects everyone.

North Carolina, tomorrow is your day to show the rest of the nation that you are a state that epitomizes individual liberty, equality, and freedom for everyone should you vote down Amendment One. Don’t disappoint us North Carolina, the country is watching what you do tomorrow.

Posted: May 7th, 2012 under Action Alert, In Focus, In the News.

Once again, having an openly gay Republican in the room can make all the difference in promoting equality or defeating anti-LGBT legislation. This time, in Missouri, where State Representative Zachary Wyatt has come out of the closet to oppose that state’s “Don’t Say Gay” bill. Check out the video of Rep. Wyatt’s speech below.

“I’m not the first or last Republican to come out. I have just gotten tired of the bigotry being shown from both sides of the aisle on gay issues… Today I ask you all to lead. To stand up for freedom and individual rights. Today I ask you to stand with me as a proud Republican, a proud veteran, and a proud gay man who wants to protect all kids by addressing bullying in our schools.”

Having actual gay people in the room, from state legislatures to the GOP Congressional caucus, changes the conversation. House Education Committee Chairman Scott Dieckhaus said that the legislation will likely not make it out of his committee.

Posted: May 2nd, 2012 under GOP Heroes, In the News, In the States, Log Cabin In Focus.

It’s no secret that Log Cabin Republican member Richard Tisei is running for Congress, and while Richard is receiving an overwhelming amount of support, there are those who see his candidacy as as supposed “setback,” but they’re not conservatives or even Republicans. Democratic Massachusetts Congressman Barney Frank, who himself has been an openly gay member of the House for 25 years, recently expressed his concern over Richard becoming an openly gay Republican member of Congress.

Posted: April 27th, 2012 under Democrats, Elections, GOP Progress.

Four years ago when President Obama was then Senator Obama, he promised change, both in the style of the Presidency as well as the way things would be run in the White House. He promised that not a single lobbyist would work in his administration despite the fact that there are currently over 100 working in the White House. President Obama promised change in Washington, but it seems that Washington has instead changed him.

The Republican National Committee recently released a web video entitled ”From Hope to Hypocrisy: The Senator Who Became a Sellout,” illustrating just another of the President’s broken promises to help change Washington. Please watch below.

President Obama has broken promises over and over again. This November, Republicans have an opportunity to stand up and restore promise and trust in the White House.

Posted: April 24th, 2012 under Democrats, Elections.

Since the announcement that Richard Grenell, the director of communications and public diplomacy at the United Nations during the Bush administration and an openly gay Log Cabin Republican, would become his national security and foreign policy spokesman, Governor Mitt Romney has become the target of attacks from the far right, including the American Family Association’s infamously antigay Bryan Fischer. Fischer initially vented his furor on Twitter:

Conservative columnist at the Washington Post, Jennifer Rubin, responded. In a piece entitled, “Anti-gay voices should be rebutted,” she writes:

There plainly is a debate generationally, as I have reported, within the GOP on gay marriage. But while this goes on, there should, one would hope, be a consensus that animus toward gays and toward hiring gays to work in government (or anywhere else) is beyond the pale.

You may recall that Fischer spoke adjacent to Romney at last year’s “Values Voters” summit, leading Governor Romney to preemptively rebuke and reject Fischer’s  ”poisonous language.” Rubin went on to note the “slimy” attacks on New Jersey Governor Chris Christie for daring to nominate another gay Republican, Bruce Harris, to the state supreme court.

It would be a positive thing for the party and our country if it was crystal clear there is no place in civil discourse for those fanning the flames of hatred toward gays and egging on fellow conservatives to discriminate against gays in hiring. Unfortunately, not everyone on the right agrees.

As evidence? Another tweet from Fischer:

We’re working on it, Bryan, and that day is getting closer everyday.

Posted: April 23rd, 2012 under From the Right, GOP Progress, In the News, Log Cabin In Focus.

LCR ED R. Clarke Cooper, in the back left, was Chief of Staff and Grenell, first row, left, was Spokesperson for the US Mission to the UN. Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad in the middle. (Photo from UN photo service)

Governor Mitt Romney’s newly announced national security and foreign policy campaign spokesman is no stranger to Log Cabin Republicans – in fact, he is a longstanding member and a friend of Log Cabin executive director R. Clarke Cooper going back to their days in the George W. Bush administration. Cooper responded to Grenell’s new position, saying:

“Ric will be a tremendous asset to the Romney camp. Having served with Ric, I can attest that his experience in the multi-lateral environment of the UN and familiarity with domestic and international media make Ric a strong voice.”

That strong voice is why Log Cabin Republicans were proud to feature Grenell at our 2010 National Convention, where he spoke on a panel regarding foreign policy which also included former Ambassador Kristen Silverberg and fellow Log Cabin Republicans trustee and Cato Institute scholar Mark Groombridge. As report by the Washington Post, during all eight years of President George W. Bush’s tenure, Grenell served as the administration’s director of communications and public diplomacy at the United Nations. He advised four U.S. ambassadors to the United Nations: John D. Negroponte, John C. Danforth, John R. Bolton and Zalmay Khalilzad. In fact, Grenell has been instrumental in securing other high profile speakers for Log Cabin events, including Danforth and Bolton.

Grenell has also been an out – and outspoken – gay man for years, including his time in the Bush administration. Recent publications addressing LGBT concerns include a call for a “Tea Party Style Shakeup” among gay leadership in Washington, sharp indictments of the gay left’s passive attitude toward President Obama’s failures,  and taking on liberal bias in the gay press. He also succeeded in getting some LGBT groups accredited at the U.N. Given the public nature of Grenell’s orientation, some, including conservative gay blogger Andrew Sullivan, are speculating as to the broader meaning of this appointment.

“For Romney to have an openly gay spokesman is a real outreach to gay Republicans, a subtle signal to moderates, and the Santorum faction’s reaction will be worth noting.”

Of course, Governor Romney has long been on record that he would not discriminate in employment based on a person’s sexual orientation, and he has hired openly gay people before. Still, Log Cabin Republicans can be proud of Ric’s success, and pleased that an experienced and well-qualified leader will be speaking out for Republicans during this presidential election. As to what it means beyond that and for LGBT Americans, only time will tell.

Posted: April 20th, 2012 under Elections, GOP Heroes, GOP Progress, In the News, Log Cabin In Focus.

To be running for the U.S. Senate, one would think that a candidate and his or her campaign would be tempered enough to know the importance of tolerance and respect for every voter, regardless of their background. However, a campaign volunteer for Indiana State Treasurer Richard Mourdock, who’s running for the seat currently held by Richard Lugar, posted blatantly anti-gay rhetoric directed at a voter she approached earlier.

After knocking on doors for the Mourdock campaign, volunteer Linda Zimmerman posted this on her Facebook, garnering the Mourdock campaign unfavorable attention:

Knocked on door for Mourdock…’butchy’ lady answered the door. Seemed interested at first, but turns out she ‘would never have a husband’, lives with another similar female and she is totally a green person… I’mma think’in she is a cross over voter in the primary, don’t ya just wonder?

To post something like this publicly is deplorable and is a gross generalization and assumption about a woman whose life and background Ms. Zimmerman is unaware of. The “butchy” lady that Ms. Zimmerman was referring to may well have been a Republican and a Mourdock supporter, but comments from individuals such as Ms. Zimmerman are enough to push voters away from the GOP, making them think that it stands for the kind of rhetoric that Zimmerman used.

Ms. Zimmerman is also wrong for assuming that just because some might be a member of the LGBT community that they cannot be a Republican. In 2010, 31 percent of LGBT voters voted for Republican House candidates, an increase from 2008 when 27 percent of LGBT voters voted for John McCain.

Log Cabin Republicans believe that gay rights and marriage are inherently conservative ideals through the maintenance of personal  liberty. We strongly urge Treasurer Mourdock’s campaign to condemn the remarks made by Ms. Zimmerman and encourage the Treasurer to focus on jobs and the economy to ensure that the GOP’s message of fiscal responsibility and less government continues to resonate with voters.

Posted: April 13th, 2012 under Elections.