The last 30 days have been full of exciting and pivotal developments for Republicans in general, and Log Cabin Republicans in particular.
First, a swat team of members of the Log Cabin Republicans of Texas visited over 50 offices of state representatives and senators, blanketing the Texas State Capitol for a day with messaging aimed at raising awareness of issues of concern to LCR members and supporters, GLBT and not. A recent poll revealed that two-thirds of self-identified Republicans and Republican-leaning voters under 30 support same-sex marriage rights. This could explain why all the young staffers that support our state Republican legislators welcomed the LCR members warmly and with expressed interest in their concerns.
Then, On February 23 we received the announcement that the national organization of Log Cabin Republicans was given an invitation to speak at this year’s Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) as part of the panel “Putin’s Russia: A New Cold War?” This was a highly visible step forward by the GOP leadership towards a more public acceptance of those advocating GLBT issues and concerns.This was followed on February 27, with LCR Houston’s own fundraising dinner keynoted by the top GOP officeholder in Harris County, Harris County Judge Ed Emmett, who delivered an energetic, yet intellectually nuanced speech that charmed and energized all those present. The event was attended by many GOP officeholders and candidates, including several running for city-wide offices, from mayor, to comptroller, to city council; and brought in several thousand dollars into the LCR coffers, easily breaking last year’s record haul while raising LCR Houston’s profile in local policy circles.
These developments were capped by last week’s announcement that, in an historic vote, the California Republican Party voted to charter Log Cabin Republicans of California. The landslide 861-293 vote in favor of the gay-led Republican group recognized Log Cabin Republicans of California as an official affiliate of the state GOP.
A new era of inclusion is dawning at the GOP, with all kinds of possibilities for new ideas and initiatives to address the challenges and concerns of Americans of all walks of life, including those in the GLBT communities. If you have been waiting for the right time to make your voice heard; to become part of the governing process of the governing party of Texas; to influence the party that is poised to set the course of the country in 2016, what better time can you imagine?
It’s time. Come and join the party.
