How Log Cabin Republicans Convinced their Party to Drop Condemnation of Homosexuality
How Log Cabin Republicans Convinced their Party to Drop Condemnation of Homosexuality
By Lauren McGaughy | Dallas Morning News | June 19, 2018
"Marco Roberts strides across the convention hall floor. Calm and impassive, his face shows no sign he just achieved a goal that's been years in the making.
Spotting his partner, Michael Alberts, in the middle of a row of delegates, Roberts stops, his face illuminated by the red glow of the giant Ted Cruz motorhome parked in the middle of the convention center. He takes a short breath and lets it out, a grin gracing his lips, and raises his hands briefly in silent celebration.
"Two-and-a-half years of work," Roberts whispers, the convention chairman's voice booming over the speakers. "At this moment, I finally feel like I crossed the finish line."
This year, the Republican Party of Texas removed anti-LGBT language from its official platform. For most, the change is incremental, almost unnoticeable, the absence of just two sentences from a 45-page document.
But for Roberts and other gay Republicans and allies who convinced the party to take this small step, this moment provides them with some hope. Roberts looks at Alberts, the tension finally leaving his face, and says confidently, 'The Republican Party of Texas no longer condemns people simply for being gay.'"
Marco Roberts, President of the Houston Chapter of the Log Cabin Republicans, is pictured at the 2018 Texas GOP Convention held at the Henry B. González Convention Center in downtown San Antonio, Texas on Saturday, June 16, 2018. (Luca/Staff Photographer)
Delegates watch as a sign is carried up and down the aisles in the session seating area detailing possible changes in the party plank addressing homosexuality during the 2018 Texas GOP Convention held at the Henry B. González Convention Center in downtown San Antonio. Texas on Friday, June 15, 2018. (Louis DeLuca/Staff Photographer)
The Dallas Morning News ran a rare report detailing the actions of Log Cabin Republicans that led to a substantive change to the platform of the Republican Party of Texas. While the report refers to the change as "small." it is only so in the number of words involved. In fact, it was a fundamental change to the platform, akin to removing a cornerstone of a large edifice. It was why opponents fought so bitterly against the changes. But, contrary to what the opponents may have thought, the edifice was not the platform itself, but a far-reaching and consequential defect within it, one that imperiled even the defense of the freedoms of those opponents.
"After four decades of fighting to make inroads, we are finding our way."
LCR Houston Endorses for President and Local 2016 Races
LOG CABIN REPUBLICANS ENDORSE!
As folks head to the polls now through Election Day on Tuesday, November 8, we remind our members and supporters of the candidates the local chapter has endorsed; And, we and announce our new, first ever, special endorsement for president of the United States.
ENDORSEMENTS
Sarah Davis – Texas State Representative HD 134
Not only has Sarah Davis been - and continues to be - a strong defender of the freedom and equal rights of all Texans, she has been an unusually brave pioneer in that defense at the state house, often standing alone among her peers on the state house floor when it comes to the rights of sexual minorities. Moreover, in her service in the Texas legislature, Sarah Davis has established a record of service that is highly regarded for its integrity, ethical standards, and responsiveness to the concerns and interests of her constituents, reflected in the her growing electoral margins of victory since first elected in 2010. Having survived a battle with cancer, Sarah Davis turned her life towards public service – and the people of Texas have been the better for it ever since.
Matt Murphy – Texas State Representative HD 147
http://www.mattmurphyforhouston.com/
In our Board’s discussions with Matt Murphy, we were gratified to discover that Matt Murphy, in addition to sharing our chapter’s commitment to the Republican values and principles of limited government and respect for Constitutional liberties as well as property rights, Matt Murphy also shares our views on, and understands the importance of, the fundamental issues that lie ahead in regards to the equal treatment under the law for all people regardless of sexual orientation, status as a sexual minority, or differing religious beliefs.
SPECIAL ENDORSEMENT
Donald J. Trump – President of the United States of America
Having been granted this one-time option to endorse a federal race at a chapter level, with full respect and consideration of all the views and concerns of all our fellow Republicans, having engaged in a deliberate effort to take full account of the diversity of freely expressed opinions among our own ranks, and having assessed the options for the future of our country: we the Log Cabin Republicans of Houston, in solidarity with the will of the voters in the Republican primary and in affirmation of that electoral process; in sympathy and respect for the long-ignored legitimate concerns and interests of millions of Americans that have now been brought to the attention of the nation by the candidacy of Donald J. Trump; in praise of the unprecedented open and public expression of support for GLBT rights at a Republican convention by Donald J. Trump, and to safeguard the balance of the Supreme Court for the next generation; endorse the Republican nominee for president of the United States.
STATEMENTS OF APPRECIATION
While local LCR chapters may not endorse in federal races, we would like to take this opportunity to express our appreciation for the goodwill of the following candidates:
Ted Poe – Texas 2nd U.S. Congressional District
We at Log Cabin Republicans of Houston hereby express our appreciation for the open, working relationship Congressman Ted Poe has willingly established with the Log Cabin Republicans of Houston since the re-establishment of our chapter in 2010.
Lori Bartley – Texas 18th U.S. Congressional District
http://bartleyforcongress.com/
We at Log Cabin Republicans of Houston hereby express our appreciation for the inclusive and respectful tone of Lori Bartley’s campaign in regards to people of all walks of life, and for the stretched hand Lori Bartley openly extended to the Log Cabin Republicans of Houston from the start of her campaign.
News
Press Release: Approval of LCR Houston Booth at Texas State GOP Convention
Crenshaw statement of support for LCR Texas - January 28, 2020
Endorsements for 2019 December City Runoffs - November 29, 2019
Endorsements for 2019 November City Elections - September 10, 2019
Texas Tribune: Protecting Freedom of Conscience and Free Enterprise - May 20, 2019
Why Log Cabin Republicans? Remarks at 2019 Lincoln Day Dinner - March 24, 2019
Shocking: Poll Reveals Not All Gay and Trans Think the Same - June 19, 2018
Texas Log Cabin Success at 2018 Republican State Convention - June 16, 2018
Houston Chronicle: Wedding Cake Ruling & Path to Freedom for All - June 8, 2018
LCR Response to Masterpiece Cakeshop Decision - June 4, 2018
LCR Texas Statement on Convention Booth Denial - April 10, 2018
Dear Colleague Letters & Trans Bathroom Guidance - March 1, 2017
LCR Houston Endorses for President and Local 2016 Races
Wayne Smith vs. Bricoe Cain Campaign Flier - May 22, 2016
New Call to Action to All Republicans - May 6, 2016
LCR H Lincoln Dinner Keynote Speaker Bill King - April 19, 2016
Montrose Star: Why Log Cabin Republicans Scare Democrats - April 9, 2016
Endorsement: Sarah Davis for Tx HD 134
Business Coalition Releases Poll - December 6, 2015
H.E.R.O. White Paper - November 23, 2015
2015 City Runoff Endorsements - November 17, 2015
Houston 2015 Election Congratulations - November 4, 2015
Former LCR H President elected HYR President - October 21, 2015
City Elections Endorsements - August 24, 2015
Steve Costello for Mayor - July 28, 2015
Bill Frazer for Controller - July 1, 2015
Supreme Court Decision on Marriage - June 26, 2015
Who Will Be the Next Mayor? - June 13, 2015
New Era of Inclusion Dawning: Join the Party - March 11, 2015
LCR H Lincoln Dinner Keynote Speaker Bill King - April 19, 2016
BILL KING TO KEYNOTE LCR H 2016 LINCOLN DINNER
Log Cabin Republicans are proud to announce the engagement of recent Houston mayoral candidate Bill King as their keynote speaker for their annual fundraising dinner. Bill King came within 1% of winning the December 2015 runoff election in a city that usually votes Democratic. This speaks to the fact that King is one of the most well-informed individuals on public policies and issues that govern and affect our city. When it comes to the city tax cap, Rebuild Houston and our roads, the coming tax increases, the city pension obligations, and infrastructures related to flooding, few, if any, can match his depth of knowledge.
The fundraiser will be held on FRIDAY, MAY 6. For more information, please visit our website at:http://www.logcabinhouston.org/
LCR H Replies to Op-Ed in Montrose Star
Winning the War of Ideas
In its March 8, 2016, edition, the Montrose Star, published an op-ed authored by D'Anne Witkowski naming Log Cabin Republicans as the "Creep of the Week.” The Star published a response from the president of the Log Cabin Republicans of Houston in its April 6 issue.
For full column click here.
Business Coalition Releases Poll - December 3, 2015
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 3, 2015
Houston Realty Business Coalition Releases Poll on Mayor's Race
Bill King Leads Sylvester Turner by 5 percent
The Houston Realty Business Coalition (HRBC) released a poll of 300 active voters today measuring support of Mayoral candidates in the December runoff election.
"Bill King has built a broad base of support throughout the city of Houston," said Chairman Alan Hassenflu. "Bill King is the only candidate offering thoughtful solutions to the fiscal disaster facing the city of Houston. King's message of getting back to basics has earned him the support of our organization and is resonating with voters who are concerned with the current fiscal crisis facing city hall."
The survey shows voters across Houston are seeing past Sylvester Turner's negative campaign and looking towards Bill King to fix the city's financial mess. Only 9% of Houston voters say they have yet to decide who they will support in the upcoming election.
Founded in 1967, HRBC, comprised of top business leaders, has become Houston's Premier Business Coalition by supporting public policy, elected officials and candidates for elected office that promote its core values of limited government, capitalism and private property rights.
BALLOT1
In the upcoming runoff election for Mayor, if you had to choose, would you be voting for Bill King or Sylvester Turner?
Bill King 48%
Sylvester Turner 43%
http://myemail.constantcontact.com/HRBC-Releases-Poll-on-Ma…
H.E.R.O. White Paper - November 23, 2015
LOG CABIN REPUBLICANS OF HOUSTON LAUNCHES NEW H.E.R.O. INITIATIVE
HOUSTON, Texas – November 23, 2015 – Log Cabin Republicans of Houston has formed a committee to draft a white paper and a proposal for a revised and more streamlined equal rights ordinance that will address the conflicting economic pressures and social interests certain to continue to press upon the city. The ordinance envisioned would address the core concerns of those corporate and minority interests that so strongly supported the defeated ordinance, while also safeguarding the concerns of the the majority which expressed its concerns regarding safety and privacy issues through the rejection of the ordinance.
At this moment LCR Houston is already undertaking a thorough review of the defeated ordinance, other ordinances passed in Texas and around the country, as well as literature on the subject of such ordinances and the way they may infringe on Constitutional and other ordinarily expected rights when not properly written. LCR Houston looks to publicly release its white paper and proposal near the end of 2016, to then invite input and feedback from different segments of our city, in a process LCR Houston plans to make open and transparent to everyone.
Mayoral candidate Bill King (endorsed by LCR Houston) recently said that Houston should "begin a discussion about how do we best go about demonstrating to the rest of the world the kind of city Houston really is." LCR Houston is committed to opening that new conversation on fair treatment and equal rights, beginning with a dialogue that includes both proponents and opponents of the previous ordinance.
LCR Houston has a unique vantage point between the opposite sides on the last vote, and as such we believe has a unique opportunity to provide an answer that has the best chance to overcome the many serious hurdles in the way of an ordinance with broad-based acceptance and support. LCR Houston is now on that path, and extends an open invitation to any organization interested in joining in this work.
2015 City Runoff Endorsements - November 17, 2015
The Log Cabin Republicans of Houston are proud to announce that on Sunday it made its endorsements for the municipal election runoff races of the 2015 cycle. As with the initial endorsement process, the membership of the Log Cabin Republicans met personally with the candidates that sought its endorsements, and undertook a full and careful review of the core issues facing our city, including pension reform, TIRZ, economic development, fair and equal treatment under the law for all, infrastructure and transportation, and general issues of liberty and limited, accountable government. No single issue served as a litmus test and we pulled from the broad spectrum of views within our group to find consensus on the best candidates to lead our city for the next term. We extend our appreciation and respect to all candidates who sought our endorsement as we prepare to effectively support and campaign for our endorsed candidates whom we believe will offer Houston the most promising future possible. Beyond that, we look forward to working with all the leaders ultimately elected by the citizens of our great city to help solve and address challenges facing Houston, and which are of concern to all.
Mayor – Bill King
Controller – Bill Frazer
At Large 1 – Mike Knox
At Large 2 – David Robinson
At Large 5 – Jack Christie
District F – Steve Duc Le
Houston 2015 Election Congratulations - November 4, 2015
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR ENDORSED WINNERS
With the nation’s attention on its 4th largest city, last night Houston’s voters came out in record numbers for an off-year city election, turning out at the polls in numbers nearly 54% higher than in 2013’s city election to set the course of our growing and vibrant city’s future. We happily congratulate our friends and endorsed candidates for office who ran successful campaigns to clear victories in their respective races, and whom we know will serve our city well:
Bill Frazier, City Controller
Michael Kubosh, City Council At Large Position 3
Brenda Stardig, City Council District A
Greg Travis, City Council District G
We also extend our earnest encouragement to those whose names we shall see in the runoffs, and whom we intend to support to ultimate victory:
David Robinson, City Council At Large Position 3
Jack Christie, City Council At Large Position 5
Steve Duc Lee, City Council District F
We would like to take this opportunity to offer a special thanks our good friend and outstanding fellow citizen Steve Costello for bringing to Houston’s mayoral race a campaign that not only focused our public discourse to issues of city infrastructure and core services relevant to all of its citizens, from all backgrounds and all walks of life; but also elevated its tone, always displaying respect for the vote and the will of every one of its citizens.
Lastly, we express our respect for all the citizens of our great city who cast a ballot, no matter how they were marked, for taking an interest and a position on the affairs of our city and on how we all shall shape its future.
And, about that future: We look forward to taking part in the race ahead and supporting those remaining candidates we believe will offer Houston the most promising future possible.
Former LCR H President elected HYR President - October 21, 2015
Late this summer, one of our own, a former president and one of the founders of the re-invigorated Houston chapter of Log Cabin Republicans, took a leading role in another organization that by its very nature speaks to the future: For those that may have not heard, Chris Busby, profiled last year in the Houston Chronicle by Pulitzer Prize winner Lisa Falkenberg, was elected president of the Houston Young Republicans (please see the linked story which itself has a link to the Falkenberg write up). We offer our belated congratulations to Chris, and wish him success in his efforts to advance the interests and rights of all Americans through the strong values of limited government and personal responsibility that are the hallmark of the Republican Party. http://blog.chron.com/…/chris-busby-elected-president-of-t…/
