News

Log Cabin announces first GOP gay and lesbian outreach

New York state committee backs effort

June 10, 2003

(Albany, NY) – Today Log Cabin Republicans of New York (LCR/NY) announced the creation of the nation's first Republican-supported gay and lesbian voter outreach program, the Republican Lesbian and Gay Outreach Project (RLGOP). With the support of the New York Republican Party, the initiative aims to improve the image of the GOP within the gay and lesbian community by mobilizing grassroots support, targeting voter registration at parades, festivals and street fairs, enhancing visibility through a coordinated advertising campaign, and facilitating interaction between Republican leaders and the families of gays and lesbians.

Under the inclusive leadership of Governor George Pataki, the New York GOP has achieved success reaching out to all New Yorkers, making historic inroads into traditionally Democratic constituencies such as women and minorities.

"I am proud of our Party's history of inclusiveness and our recent efforts to reach out to the gay community in New York," said State GOP Chairman Sandy Treadwell. "I am pleased to see Log Cabin Republicans working to expand our Party and I'm glad to work closely with Log Cabin Republicans of New York to bring the Republican message to all New Yorkers."

"President Bush and Governor Pataki have both spoken eloquently about their desire for a more inclusive Republican Party," commented Tom Wahl, Jr., Chairman of LCR/NY. "Chairman Treadwell and the New York Republican State Committee continue to heed that call, taking concrete steps to reach out to the estimated five million gay and lesbian Americans who voted in the last election."

Jeff Cook, Executive Director of LCR/NY and the RLGOP remarked, "New York Republicans have long led the nation in building a broader and more inclusive party. We are proud to launch the Republican Lesbian and Gay Outreach Project to bring the Republican message of lower taxes, smaller government, individual liberty, personal responsibility and equal rights for everyone directly into the homes and lives of gay and lesbian New Yorkers."

Consistently representing four to five percent of the electorate, gays and lesbians have emerged as an important constituency for both political parties in recent years. According to the Voter News Service, one-third of self-identified gays, lesbians and bisexuals voted for George W. Bush in 2000, within the margin of victory in key states like heavily contested Florida.

"Governor Pataki and Chairman Treadwell understand that you build a party by addition and not subtraction and that gays and lesbians are an important part of the formula for victory at the polls," commented Patrick Guerriero, Log Cabin Republicans National Executive Director. "There is no doubt that the success of this effort will be duplicated by state parties across America that want to expand and secure a loyal Republican base."

New York's first openly gay elected official, Republican Peekskill Councilman Bill Schmidt, observed, "This is a bold and exciting step that will do a lot to eradicate negative and unfair stereotypes about Republicans and to break down artificial barriers between Republicans and the gay community."

For more information about the Republican Lesbian and Gay Outreach Project, visit www.rlgop.org.