Log Cabin splinters as gay conservatives exit

The Washington Times ^ | April 15, 2009 | S. A. Miller

[DesertRenegade]

A faction of gay conservative activists will launch a new group Wednesday to rival the Log Cabin Republicans, the longtime home of the party's gay fringe.

A couple of former Log Cabin staffers broke off to form GOProud, a new political advocacy group, amid complaints the older organization was aligned too closely with liberal gay and lesbian causes and failed to provide an effective voice in Washington for gay Republicans.

Former Log Cabin policy director Jimmy LaSalvia, who will be GOProud's executive director, said LCR local groups continue to do great work at the city and state level, but there is a void at the national level.

"Our country is in transition, our party certainly is in transition, and there is no place at the table at the moment for gay conservatives," Mr. LaSalvia said. "We are seeking to fill that void."

Another founding member of GOProud is Chris Barron, a former Log Cabin political director. He will serve as chairman of the board for the new group, which will be formally introduced at a press conference Wednesday.

The announcement is scheduled to coincide with gay Republicans descending on the District this week for the annual Log Cabin convention.

Log Cabin spokesman Mark Day declined comment on GOProud or on charges that the Log Cabin Republicans are out of step with gay conservatives.

The rift at LCR follows reports in the Washington Blade that the group's chief benefactor is Tim Gill, a wealthy Democratic donor, who critics said influenced decision-making at the organization.

[Clock King]

Democratic infiltrators. I’ll bet they were never Republicans.

[wku man]

How the hell can there be any such thing as a homosexual ("gay") conservative? Regardless of where you stand on anything/everything else, being a homo is kind of like anti-gun or pro-abortion. If you are one, you're not a conservative.

Scouts Out! Cavalry Ho!

[DesertRenegade]

Just as I suspected, the group is revealing their true agenda in pro-homosexual publications: LaSalvia said the group will support pro-LGBT legislation before Congress, even though these bills may not be a priority for them. When asked at Wednesday’s news conference whether GOProud would accept money from Gill Action (rich homosexual Democrat), LaSalvia said his group is not “in the business of turning down money, but I will tell you that there will not be influence on our direction from donors.” Barron acknowledged he supported the 1998 campaign of Democrat John Edwards for U.S. Senate. Barron also confirmed that he submitted a written testimonial praising Edwards on the candidate’s web site when he announced his candidacy for president in 2003. Following his departure from Log Cabin, Barron was hired by Planned Parenthood in 2005 to head its Republican outreach efforts. “With Chris Barron’s ties to John Edwards and the pro-abortion lobby, it’s laughable for him to present himself as a voice for gay conservatives,” the source said.

[Kimmers]

“The notion of forming a political group around a bedroom lifestyle seems totally bizarre. “

I agree, I think the left has cornered the market on judging people and boxing them according to race, gender or sexual orientation.

[LeonardFMason]

Tea-BAGGING rooms more likely.

[NormsRevenge]

I wonder which way Meghan goes on this one? No, not really, I could care less. :-)

[katiekins1]

Not bizarre, perverted.

Probably build their cabins with *Tongue and Groove* logs. : )

[longtermmemmory]

IOW the new useful idiots is concerned the normal people figured out the old useful idiots...

[Elle Bee]

Would it be inappropriate to say, 'Don't let the door hit you in the a_ _ on the way out'?

.