Log Cabin claims to be "the nation’s largest Republican organization dedicated to representing gay and lesbian conservatives and allies." There has been some debate (and I have sounded off in the past) as to whether LCR is LGBT first, or Republican first. Their clever catch phrase is that they are "Americans" first. Cute, but reading their press releases and observing their actions seems to indicate that their primary concern is for the party. I've noted their criticism of sitting President Obama's statement in favor of gay marriage. This same group praises Dick Chaney, who opposed gay rights throughout his time as Vice President, and only spoke favorably after leaving office.
With allies like these...
What confuses me is that through the months of getting emails about this dinner, I thought it was intended to recognize members of the GOP who work to break the party free from the grip of the religious zealots that control it. Instead I see keynote speaker Tom Ridge, apparently because, like Cheney, he is now saying that the Republican Party should stop discriminating against gays. See the article on the towleroad blog. While originally saying he opposed same-sex marriage, he now says it should be up to the state. Like Cheney, of course, Tom Ridge's title includes the word "former."
But maybe there's a new conversion going on, because three of the honored guests that Log Cabin is celebrating must be doing the same. The first three special guests are, Congressman Ted Poe (R-TX), Congressman Pete King (R-NY), and Congressman Darrell Issa (R-CA). The most recent information I found on these three was a Yes vote (all three) on the Violence Against Women Act. That's a plus, but the fact that they voted yes on the 2013 version is telling. Republicans balked at an earlier version, which didn't pass, because it included provisions for victims of domestic violence in same-sex relationships. I couldn't find details on their stance during the debate, but there is record of their earlier votes. All three voted against legislation to bar workplace discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. All three voted yes to define marriage as being between one man and one woman.
I will acknowledge that they did manage to invite at least one token out, gay, Republican; Pennsylvania Rep. Mike Fleck, who got last billing. Fleck may be out, but according to a Pittsburgh blogger, "its not likely he'll have much opportunity" to vote on gay issues "unless the specter of the 'marriage protection' amendment resurfaces in a committee he's assigned to next term." (dated December 2012)
While I agree with Log Cabin that we need to recognize those members of the GOP who push against the grain, I think they are sounding the trumpets prematurely.
I thought that "The Spirit of Lincoln" was referring to Abraham Lincoln. I may be mistaken.
