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Log Cabin Republicans Joins Dan Winslow and Arent Fox in Questioning Federal Election Commission on Freedom of Speech for Same-Sex Married Couples

April 9, 2013

Washington, D.C.  – Log Cabin Republicans has joined Massachusetts United States Senate candidate Dan Winslow in an FEC advisory request demanding clarity on campaign finance laws that affect legally married same-sex couples who desire to provide financial support to political candidates from a joint bank account  – a right that straight couples have and many take for granted.

"Mr. Winslow, the voters of Massachusetts, and married same-sex couples across the country need to have this important question answered, and answered now," said Log Cabin Republicans Executive Director Gregory T. Angelo. "People often ask why marriage matters. This FEC request highlights the lack of clarity and complications that exist when the marriages of committed same-sex couples are not fully recognized by the federal government. Freedom of speech is a constitutional right, and gay married couples deserve a freedom of speech just as unencumbered as their straight counterparts. We hope the FEC comes to that same conclusion."

"I believe that equality is the founding value of the Party of Lincoln, the Republican Party," said Winslow. "Our campaign has received donations from same-sex persons looking to donate as a couple. Consistent with my belief in marriage equality, I believe these donations should be accepted. As a former judge, and Chief Legal Counsel to the Governor of Massachusetts, I want to make sure our campaign is being compliant with the law. Right now the law is unclear on this matter. That is why we are seeking an advisory opinion from the FEC as to what should be done."

"For us, we see it as a hard legal question. But for our clients, we appreciate their strong social policy concerns," said Craig Engle, Partner at Arent Fox and longtime counsel for Log Cabin Republicans. Engle is a former member of the FEC legal counsel and was one of the signers of an amicus brief to the Supreme Court urging overturning DOMA on campaign finance and freedom of speech grounds. The brief was signed by a number of former Federal Election Commission officials.