News

Log Cabin Condemns Gay-Baiting in MT Senate Race

October 11, 2002

Washington, DC – Log Cabin Republicans calls on all gay Democrats to condemn the Democratic Party of Montana for using the implication that someone is gay in order to win votes.

"Gay Democrats constantly tell us that they have access to the highest levels of their party, yet every election we see Democrat candidates play the gay card. Most recently they gave the Democrat radio address to Congressman Phelps (D-IL) who recently initiated the anti-gay marriage amendment. It's time for gay Democrat leaders to use their clout to stop the gay bashing," observed Log Cabin Republicans executive director Rich Tafel. "Can you imagine if Trent Lott (R-MS) ran an add like this? Barney Frank would be in front of a microphone faster than you can say partisan bulldog, and he'd be surrounded by the leaders of gay organizations. But when it is a Democrat playing the gay card, Barney's silent."

The Montana Democrat Party's television advertisement uses old footage of Mike Taylor, Montana's GOP candidate for U.S. Senate, in disco-era garb, applying lotion to a male client's face.

"Stonewall Democrats criticize the Baucus campaign while implying in their release that the Republican is a closeted gay man. They are aiding and abetting the Baucus campaign," Log Cabin Republicans Director of Public Affairs Mark Mead said.

"Log Cabin Republicans denounces U.S. Senator Max Baucus (D-MT) and the Montana Democrat party. Log Cabin calls on the Human Rights Campaign and the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force to join us in condemning the ad as well as the crass, let's-win-at-all-costs strategy. Their silence on this matter is deafening", said Mead.

Log Cabin Republicans is the largest gay and lesbian Republican organization, with more than 50 chapters across the country, a national office staff in Washington, DC, and a federal political action committee that raises over $100,000 per election cycle for Republican candidates.