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Log Cabin Calls on Nevada GOP Governor to Sign Gay Rights Bill

Bill to Outlaw Job Discrimination Awaits Final Passage in Legislature

May 21, 1999

(WASHINGTON, DC) – The leader of the nation's largest gay Republican organization wrote to Governor Kenny Guinn (R) of Nevada today, urging him to sign the Nevada Employment Non-Discrimination Act, which passed the Nevada Senate yesterday.

"The Nevada Republican Party has been a beacon of inclusive conservative leadership in the nation for years," wrote Rich Tafel, executive director of Log Cabin Republicans, in his letter to Guinn, "and your continued leadership on this and other important issues only strengthens our party's message and broadens its scope to every community."

"Enacting Nevada ENDA into law will further cement for the voters of Nevada the GOP commitment to be a force for positive change in the lives of every citizen," Tafel wrote.

The bill passed the state Assembly earlier in the session, but passed the Senate with an amendment and must pass as amended in the Assembly again before it reaches Guinn's desk. The Nevada Republican Party was the first state GOP to hire an openly gay person as its Executive Director, the highest paid staff position of a state Republican Party. Dan Burdish, founder of Log Cabin Las Vegas, served in the position from 1996-1999, after serving for eight years on the Clark County GOP Central Committee, four years on the Nevada GOP Central Committee and on the 1992 Nevada State GOP Platform Committee.

Here is the text of the letter from Rich Tafel to Governor Kenny Guinn (R)

May 21, 1999

The Honorable Kenny Guinn
Governor of Nevada

Dear Governor Guinn:

I am writing today about the Nevada Employment Non-Discrimination Act, which awaits final passage in the Assembly after passing with an amendment in the Senate on May 20. It is a fair bill which addresses the narrow point of job discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, and we urge you to sign it when it reaches your desk.

Your election last November was another testament to the strength of a positive, inclusive conservative message in the Republican Party. Enacting Nevada ENDA into law will further cement for the voters of Nevada the GOP commitment to be a force for positive change in the lives of every citizen. This is a reasonable, fair and bi-partisan solution to a real problem that faces gay and lesbian Americans every day, and enactment of ENDA will greatly enhance the job environment of Nevada, sending a message that your state wants the best, most qualified people to come and work there, and that merit will be the sole criterion by which people will be judged in the Nevada workplace.

The Nevada Republican Party has been a beacon of inclusive conservative leadership in the nation for years, and your continued leadership on this and other important issues only strengthens our party's message and broadens its scope to every community. We've had the opportunity to speak with members of your staff on this issue, and we remain a resource for you on this and any other issue as we are needed. Thank you for your leadership, and I strongly urge you to join the growing list of Republican governors in support of these principles by signing ENDA into law.

Sincerely,

Richard L. Tafel
Executive Director