Dear Mr. Angelo and Ms. Jester:
As a leader and representative of a significant constituency of the LGBT community, I am writing to ask you to address some ongoing concerns with the Log Cabin Republicans (LCR) and the Republican Party. Thank you in advance for your prompt response.
First, the LGBT community is concerned about the anti-LGBT language in the Republican Party platform. It states, “We believe that marriage, the union of one man and one woman must be upheld as the national standard, a goal to stand for, encourage and promote through laws governing marriage.” Can you please address why you think we should vote for Republicans when the party platform does not believe in our civil rights?
Second, can you please explain why bisexual and transgender members of the community are not included in your organization’s mission? Is it because you do not feel these groups are part of our community or is your organizational charter only to advocate for gays and lesbians?
Third, Ms. Jester what is your plan to address the hateful speech that came from the California GOP with respect to your organization and the LGBT community in general? The California GOP platform states, “We believe public policy and education should not be exploited to present or teach homosexuality as an acceptable ‘alternative’ lifestyle.” While we applaud the fact that the California GOP finally acknowledged LCR’s existence last weekend, why do you want to belong to a club that says you have an alternative lifestyle and does not believe in your civil rights? Further, what did you think of California GOP legislator Scott Wilk saying, “Get out of the back of the bus, you deserve a seat.”
Last week at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), Mr. Angelo spoke on a panel about Russia and railed against President Obama for not doing more to combat the Russian anti-LGBT propaganda law. Can you please explain why you did not call out other CPAC attendees like Alliance Defending Freedom, the World Congress of Families and the Family Research Council for praising the anti-LGBT law? Wouldn’t it make sense to have the conversation with people who you have access to?
Why is the Republican Party touting lesbian and gay candidates when many of the party faithful think our civil rights a radical homosexual agenda? If that is the case, why are LGBT people being used in roles like the communications director for the Jeb Bush campaign, and as the CFO of the New Hampshire GOP, isn’t that part of the homosexual agenda; employment non-discrimination?
Finally, what issue or set of issues trumps your ability to live openly and freely in the United States and beyond? The Republican Party has made it clear that your civil rights are not a priority. Wouldn’t it be better to give your time and effort to those more willing to support your life?
It is the beginning of the presidential political season and I thought it would be useful to get some clarity on these issues. I look forward to sharing your responses with our readers. Thank you for listening.
Sincerely,
STAMPP W. CORBIN
PUBLISHER
San Diego LGBT Weekly
Mr. Corbin you have a real hard problem with focusing and painting with a super wide brush in your victim mentality. You always refer “The Republican Party” in your rants.We are SAN DIEGO Log Cabin Republicans thus focusing on our county and city. Our Mayor Kevin Faulconer is the National Chair for Freedom to Marry for ALL Mayors. We just were accepted by 80% of Ca. GOP Party delegates,thus being recognized. Yes, bi-laws are not LGBT friendly but even if bi-laws are changed Stampp Corbin,you will find something else to cry about,as we being effective and you….throwing pebbles..er,skittles. We are not or can we be responsible for EVERY republican in the world,what they say or do.Pump your brakes,we LCRSD are doing what our mission statement is “inclusion in the republican party” credit for it..never, Always the victims.
It’s plain and simple. Why should any gay person vote for a Republican candidate when their party platform does not believe in our civil rights? Thank you, Stampp, for writing what so many of us are thinking.
Methinks Jeff shouldn’t write comments at 3am…skittles indeed.