State GOP Chair to Attend Gay Republican Dinner

South Florida Sun-Sentinel ^ | 6/3/03 | Buddy Nevins

[sofloridian]

State GOP Chair to Attend Gay Republican Dinner

State GOP Chairwoman Carole Jean Jordan is scheduled to eat dinner tonight with the gay Broward Log Cabin Club, wading into the debate on how much influence gays and lesbians should have in the Republican Party.

"It's a big step for her to come to our dinner," said Andy Eddy, spokesman for the club.

The Broward County branch of the national Log Cabin Republicans was the first chapter approved by the state party four years ago. A Tampa chapter was approved later.

"At first it was a shock to the party, but it isn't any more," Eddy said. "The shock is over."

Other Republicans are not so sure.

The Log Cabin Club's views are "basically contrary to our views as Republicans and as stated in the Republican platform," said Margaret Hostetter, a Republican activist who is outspoken in her opposition to gay rights.

The Log Cabin supports both the inclusion of sexual orientation in civil rights laws and same-sex marriage, two positions that the national Republican platform rejects. The 2000 national Republican platform states that the GOP opposes the "distortion" of civil rights laws to cover sexual orientation and endorses the Defense of Marriage Act to prevent states from being forced to recognize same-sex unions.

Jordan could not be reached for comment. Geoffrey Becker, the state party's executive director, said she has made it her habit to meet with any Republican.

"The chairman meets with all types of people, not necessarily only those who reflect her views," Becker said. "It's part of expanding our party." ...

It's a discussion that has been going on in the national party since a meeting in early May between White House aides and 200 members of various Log Cabin chapters from across the country. Socially conservative Republicans protested and have threatened to sit on their hands in next year's presidential election unless President Bush puts some distance between himself and gay activists.

Among those who are upset is Ken Connor, president of the Washington-based Family Research Council.

Connor wrote to council members in May that White House staffers' "incessant pandering to the homosexual lobby is deeply troubling. If the GOP does not stand for the sanctity of marriage, then traditional-values voters have little reason to give the party their loyalty." ...

[Extremely Extreme Extremist]

Gay Republicans are simply Rat infiltrators in disguise. Their main objective is to force the GOP leftward so the majority of their supporters stay home, causing the Republican candidate to lose.

These people are not going to support the GOP anyway, so why even pander to them?

[ken5050]

I just gotta ask....is it a dinner-dance?

[ken5050]

It takes time, but the two major parties are slowly re-aligning themselves along issues...abortion being the main one...the Dems are isolating a lot of their constituency..re gays and the GOP..it has to be "love the sinner, not the sin.."..we cannot and will not endorse the lifestyle and same-sex unions...if otherwise conservative gays acan accept that, they're welcome, if not, they can leave...

[ServesURight]

A-ha! You've been fooled again by the masterminds in the GOP! See, this is all part of Bush's grand plan to make it appear that they're inclusive to trick the Dems but when the election comes...da-da-da-daa! The GOP will come back to their conservative roots and defeat the Gays once and for all! < /Bushbot-GOP establishment lover dream-on rant off>

[Dilly]

Why can't you respond to a story about politics without referring to sex? Some people on this board are so obsessed with what other people do with their genitals it's disturbing. Time to grow up.

[Lunatic Fringe]

I would ask.... do you have to be heterosexual to support smaller government, a balanced budget, and a fair tax system?

[ken5050]

not sure..but I can't wait to see the pictures....

[Extremely Extreme Extremist]

I would ask.... do you have to be heterosexual to support smaller government, a balanced budget, and a fair tax system?

Do you honestly think the homosexual lobby supports the aformentioned issues?

They're more concerned with same-sex benefits, more money for AIDS, and what outfit Cher is wearing to the Oscars.

[Extremely Extreme Extremist]

LOL - Reminds me of the scene in Superman when Clark Kent gets beat up at the diner...then comes back to kick ass later.

Think the GOP will do that?

[The Old Hoosier]

Who's obsessed? Someone who wants people to keep their genitalia and their related activities to themselves, or someone who positively DEMANDS acceptance of their perversions from everyone?

[CounterCounterCulture]

Not sure if it warrants concern yet, but if he spends the night and has breakfast, I'd be really concerned. ;-)

[TLBSHOW]

didsgusting news first thing in the morning I see!

[Wallace T.]

The "Log Cabin Republicans" are merely a wedge used by the "country club" wing of the GOP and some, though not all, neo-conservatives to maintain their control of the party against conservative Christians. That there are economic conservatives among homosexuals is not surprising, inasmuch as the income level in this group is higher per capita than other Americans. They also lack the common tax shelters, such as mortgages and children, subjecting more of their income to taxation. Some may also be turned off by the nihilism of the fringes in the "gay" subculture and see the GOP as a stabilizing force in American society, which indeed it is.

The "Log Cabin" faction gives those in Republican ranks that are uncomfortable with Biblical morality the opportunity to get in the face of the suppporters of James Dobson, Pat Robertson, Lou Sheldon, et. al., sending the message that they are in charge. Further, they send a message to conservative Christians that they are in the GOP by their suffrance and any concession to the Christian Right sentiment will be grudging and minimal. They are assured that Christian voters will go nowhere in the realization that their absence will put a radical Democrat like Hillary Clinton into the White House.

The neos and the country clubbers are playing hardball, and they own the bats, balls, gloves, and the keys to the ball field. I don't like it, but it is reality.

[darkwing104]

...re gays and the GOP..it has to be "love the sinner, not the sin.."..we cannot and will not endorse the lifestyle and same-sex unions...if otherwise conservative gays acan accept that, they're welcome, if not, they can leave...

That is how we should approach this issue. I get pissed when some folks want to put the President out of power over this. I find the homosexual lifestyle personaly repulsive that doesn't mean I have to hate someone for being gay. Passing judgement in this case is best left to God.

[CounterCounterCulture]

Gay Republicans are simply Rat infiltrators in disguise. Their main objective is to force the GOP leftward so the majority of their supporters stay home, causing the Republican candidate to lose.

These people are not going to support the GOP anyway, so why even pander to them?

For the most part, I would have to agree. That goes double for pro-abort Pubbies.

[Chancellor Palpatine]

There will be dinner theater afterward - Liza Minelli will come on stage to do a medley of show tunes.....

[George W. Bush]

The Log Cabin Club's views are "basically contrary to our views as Republicans and as stated in the Republican platform," said Margaret Hostetter, a Republican activist who is outspoken in her opposition to gay rights.

The Log Cabin supports both the inclusion of sexual orientation in civil rights laws and same-sex marriage, two positions that the national Republican platform rejects. The 2000 national Republican platform states that the GOP opposes the "distortion" of civil rights laws to cover sexual orientation and endorses the Defense of Marriage Act to prevent states from being forced to recognize same-sex unions.

The Log Cabin is merely the GOP branch of the radical gay agenda, something that some GOP voters refuse to recognize. There is no reason for the GOP to meet with the Log Cabin unless they are preparing to cave to special rights for sodomy.

The liberal northeast RINOs are trying to eject or mute the pro-life/pro-family segment of the party again. However, they have few votes to deliver to the GOP because those are essentially socialist states. The same applies to liberal California RINOs. They complain that the pro-life/pro-family religious right is what makes them lose elections. In truth, it's their refusal to champion pro-life and pro-family causes which defeats them. They have been and remain in open defiance of the party's platform and are intent on undermining it. The pro-choice segment of the party is already embedded in the RINO segment of the party and they intend to buttress their position by adding the Log Cabin segment. Just as it is within the Dim party, pro-gay and pro-abortion go hand-in-hand.