Rebuild The Party - Feedback Forum for the GOP

The Grand Old Party, hasn't exactly been the Gay Old Party, at least not openly. The Republicans after suffering major defeats at the polls this month are looking for suggestions to move forward. I am sure you have plenty ideas of your own.

Here are some of my ideas (feel free to steal them) in your message to the GOP.

-Stop using gays and lesbians as a political wedge issue.

-Remove language from the party platform that seeks to eliminate rights based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

-Be more inclusive of the Log Cabin Republicans an (LGBT GOP organization).

-Less government means no constitutional amendments, and not policing what people do in their homes/bedrooms.

http://ideas.rebuildtheparty.com/

Log Cabin Republicans Endorse LGBT-Friendly Conservatives

"The Log Cabin Republicans, a national gay group, announced its first wave of endorsements for incumbent candidates in the House and Senate.

“We’re proud to endorse these six lawmakers for re-election,” said Log Cabin President Patrick Sammon. “They’re strong allies and they have excellent records on issues of basic fairness for gay and lesbian Americans. They have stood with us. We are proud to stand with them during the upcoming campaign. We look forward to helping them win re-election.

“These members of Congress represent the future of the Republican Party,” said Sammon. “They support a unifying agenda and they believe, as we do, that the Republican Party must be a big tent party that welcomes everyone.”

More information on these lawmakers:

Senator Gordon Smith is one of Log Cabin’s strongest allies in the U.S. Senate. He has fought for basic fairness for gay and lesbian Americans—leading the fight in the Senate for hate crimes and HIV/AIDS legislation. Smith co-sponsored the Early Treatment for HIV Act and the Matthew Shepard (hate crimes) Act. He has also led the way in fighting for basic fairness in tax legislation, recently introducing the Tax Equity for Domestic Partner and Health Plan Beneficiaries Act and the Domestic Partnership Benefits & Obligations Act.

Senator Susan Collins is a leader on issues important to gay and lesbian Americans. She is a strong supporter of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act and is a co-sponsor of the Matthew Sheppard Act. Sen. Collins opposed the anti-family federal marriage amendment and has also been a leader in the Senate on HIV/AIDS funding. Recently, Sen. Collins pressed Joint Chiefs Chairman Admiral Michael Mullen on the harmful “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” law. During a Senate hearing, Collins expressed growing concern that the loss of gay service members under the law is harming our nation’s security.

Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack stood with Log Cabin and opposed the anti-family federal marriage amendment. She also voted for the Local Law Enforcement Enhancement Hate Crimes Prevention Act. Plus, she’s a leading Congressional advocate for sound HIV/AIDS treatment and prevention policies. She’s a co-sponsor of the Early Treatment for HIV Act and led efforts in the House to re-authorize the Ryan White CARE Act.

Congressman Mark Kirk voted against the anti-family federal marriage amendment. He is the lead Republican co-sponsor of the Local Law Enforcement Enhancement Hate Crimes Prevention Act and supports the Employment Non-Discrimination Act.

Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen is a co-sponsor of the Military Readiness Enhancement Act. She has provided a powerful conservative voice in the fight to end the discriminatory “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” law. She voted against the anti-family federal marriage amendment. She also supports the hate crimes bill, the Employment Non-Discrimination Act and the Early Treatment for HIV Act. Most recently, Ros-Lehtinen has spoken out forcefully against human rights violations of LGBT citizens abroad, particularly in radical Islamic regimes. She has also urged fair treatment of gay and lesbian employees of the U.S. State Department.

Congressman Christopher Shays is the lead Republican co-sponsor of the Local Law Enforcement Enhancement Hate Crimes Prevention Act. He is also a strong supporter of the Domestic Partnership Benefits and Obligations Act and a co-sponsor of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act. He voted against the anti-family federal marriage amendment and is a strong supporter of sound HIV/AIDS treatment and prevention policies.

“We’re proud to endorse these six lawmakers for re-election,” said Log Cabin President Patrick Sammon. “They’re strong allies and they have excellent records on issues of basic fairness for gay and lesbian Americans. They have stood with us. We are proud to stand with them during the upcoming campaign. We look forward to helping them win re-election."

Log Cabin Republicans Seeking Out Gay Delegates

"Log Cabin is busy making preparations for the Republican National Convention in Minneapolis – St. Paul on Sept. 1-4.

Are you going to the convention as a delegate or alternate delegate? We are keeping a list of openly gay & lesbian delegates and alternate delegates. Please let us know if you are a delegate or alternate so we can make sure not to leave anyone out. jlasalvia@logcabin.org

We are hosting several events, including the Log Cabin Republicans Big Tent Event on Tuesday, September 2. Please let us know if you are planning to be in Minneapolis – St. Paul for the convention, so that we can make sure you receive invitations to Log Cabin's events.* For more information please contact Jimmy LaSalvia jlasalvia@logcabin.org

Sponsorships are still available! You can be a part of the action in the Twin Cities. Sign on as a sponsor of Log Cabin's convention activities.* For more information about sponsorship levels please contact John Sinovic jsinovic@logcabin.org"

H/T to the Miami Herald for the alert.