Log Cabin Republicans: Official Website

Talking Points: Our Republican Allies Represent GOP's Future

The Republican Party has a growing number of courageous leaders who support inclusion and fairness for gay and lesbian Americans.  They represent the GOP's hopeful future.

• Since taking office in late 2003, Republican California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has a strong record in support of gay and lesbian issues.  He signed a series of bills that provide basic fairness for gay and lesbian people in the Golden State.  SB 1234, the Omnibus Hate Crimes Act of 2004, creates a uniform definition of a hate crime that includes crimes against individuals based on their sexual orientation or gender identity.  AB 2208 requires insurance companies to provide coverage for registered domestic partners in California.  AB 2900   amends existing labor and employment non-discrimination provisions in California law to be consistent with the non-discrimination provisions in the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA).  Governor Schwarzenegger also signed legislation (AB 2580) in support of California's sweeping domestic partnership law going into effect on January 1, 2005.  The Governor has been an inclusive voice for freedom and fairness. 

• New York's Republican Governor, George Pataki, has a strong gay rights record during ten years in office.  He represents a powerful voice for inclusion in the GOP.  Early in his term, he reissued the Executive Order banning discrimination on sexual orientation among state employees. He also re-negotiated a contract with state workers so that it includes domestic partnership benefits.  He supported an inclusive definition of family during the renewal of the rent control laws.  Also, Governor Pataki used the power of his office to win bipartisan passage of a gay-inclusive hate crimes law in 2000 and a law banning anti-gay discrimination in employment, education, housing and public accommodations in 2002.  The Governor also has been a strong supporter of funding for programs providing health and human services specifically targeted to Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender people.  He also ensured that gay and lesbian surviving partners of 9/11 victims received equal state benefits.  He opposes the anti-family Federal Marriage Amendment.

• 27 Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives voted against the anti-family Federal Marriage Amendment in September 2004.  The list of fair-minded Republicans included conservative Congressman Chris Cox from California and Congresswoman Deborah Pryce from Ohio, the fourth ranking House Republican.  Only one Republican voted against the 1996 so-called "Defense of Marriage Act" so we have made incredible progress during the last eight years reaching out to fair-minded Republicans.

• In July 2004, as many as 12 Republican U.S. Senators were prepared to vote against the anti-family Federal Marriage Amendment on its merits.  Rather than suffer a humiliating defeat, the radical right opted to lose on a procedural vote.  Conservative Senators John Sununu (R-NH), Chuck Hagel (R-NB), and Richard Lugar (R-IN) joined John McCain (R-AZ), Arlen Specter (R-AZ) and other fair-minded Senate Republicans in standing up for federalism and fairness.  Our senate allies included Olympia Snowe (R-ME), Susan Collins (R-ME), Ben Nighthorse-Campbell (R-CO) and Lincoln Chafee (R-RI).

• Many Republican leaders oppose the anti-family Federal Marriage Amendment including New York Governor George Pataki, former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, Connecticut Governor Jodi Rell, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, Vice-President Dick Cheney, former Congressman and DOMA author Bob Barr, Former Massachusetts Governor Bill Weld, former New Jersey Governor Christine Todd Whitman, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, and many others.

• 18 Republican Senators voted in favor of the federal hate crimes bill in June 2004.  It passed the senate with 65 votes and a majority of house members support the proposal, including dozens of Republicans.  Senator Gordon Smith (R-OR) spearheaded the effort to pass this measure in the Senate.

• Republican Senator Arlen Specter (PA) has been a strong advocate of inclusion and fairness.  He is a co-sponsor of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act and federal hates crimes law.  Senator Specter courageously spoke out against the anti-family Federal Marriage Amendment in the midst of a bruising 2004 primary against anti-gay conservative Congressman Pat Toomey.  Senator Specter joined Log Cabin members from around the nation at The Big Tent Event in New York City held just before the Republican National Convention in August 2004.

• Republican Senator Lincoln Chafee (RI) has been a courageous supporter of equal rights and fairness for gay and lesbian Americans.  He is one of the only United States Senators, from either party, to support civil marriage equality.  He believes sexual orientation should be added to the federal hate crimes law.  Senator Chafee supports the Employment Non-Discrimination Act and has been a strong advocate for programs related to HIV/AIDS. 

• New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg has been a strong voice for inclusion and tolerance.  He opposes the anti-family Federal Marriage Amendment.  He supports civil unions for gay couples to provide the exact same rights, benefits, and responsibilities that heterosexual couples receive with marriage.  Mayor Bloomberg joined Log Cabin members from around the nation at The Big Tent Event in New York City held just before the Republican National Convention in August 2004.

• New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani had a strong gay rights record as mayor of the Big Apple.  He signed a 1998 law establishing a domestic partnership registry.  The law extends a number of rights and responsibilities to same-sex couples, including visitation rights in City-run hospitals, succession rights to apartments under City jurisdiction, and the ability of a person to apply for various licenses and permits on behalf of their domestic partner.  City employees registering their domestic partnerships also are eligible for a number of spousal benefits, such as bereavement leave and medical and dental benefits.  He opposes the anti-family Federal Marriage Amendment.

• Republican Congressman Chris Shays (CT) has been a loyal ally for gay and lesbian Americans.  He courageously opposed the anti-family Federal Marriage Amendment—even speaking out against it on the House floor during debate on the measure in September 2004.  Congressman Shays is a co-sponsor of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act and the federal hate crimes bill.  We value his principled leadership on gay and lesbian issues.

• Republican Congresswoman Deborah Pryce (OH) has been a courageous advocate to give basic fairness for gay and lesbian Americans.  Congresswoman Pryce is the fourth ranking House Republican, so it was significant that she publicly spoke out against the anti-family Federal Marriage Amendment on national television.  Pryce also is a House co-sponsor of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act. 

• Republican Congressman Jim Leach (IA) has a strong record standing up to make sure gays and lesbians are valued members of the American family.  Congressman Leach consistently stands up for the principles of freedom and fairness.  He courageously opposed the anti-family Federal Marriage Amendment.  He is a co-sponsor of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act and the federal hate crimes bill.  In July 2004, Congressman Leach cast a principled vote against the so-called, "Marriage Protection Act."  This proposal would prevent some Americans from getting their day in court by actually taking away jurisdiction from federal courts for certain legislation.  As Congressman Leach rightly pointed out in his statement to the House of Representatives, "The rights of minorities must be respected and all citizens provided due process under the law."

• Former Republican Governor Mark Schweiker from Pennsylvania signed hate crimes legislation in 2002 that included protection for gay, lesbian, bi-sexual and transgender people.

• Former New Jersey Governor Christine Todd Whitman supports job discrimination protections for gay and lesbian Americans.  She had a pro-gay record as governor; even publicly backing the New Jersey Supreme Court's ruling against the Boy Scouts' anti-gay policy.  She also opposes the anti-family Federal Marriage Amendment.

• During his 2002 campaign, Republican Senator Gordon Smith (OR) became the first incumbent Congressman or Senator make a campaign television commercial touting his support for gay and lesbian civil rights.  He also has been a lead sponsor of hate crimes legislation and an employment non-discrimination law.

• Former Massachusetts Governor Jane Swift became the first governor ever to select an openly gay running mate.  She selected Patrick Guerriero to be her running mate in January 2002.  As Governor, Swift had a strong record in support of basic fairness and inclusion for gay and lesbian people.  

• Former Massachusetts Governor Bill Weld (R) has become a champion of civil marriage equality and other basic protections for gay and lesbian Americans.  In the spring of 2004, Weld presided over one of the first gay weddings in Massachusetts.  Soon after becoming governor in 1991, he signed an executive order providing limited domestic partner benefits for gay and lesbian state workers.  Weld also signed hate crimes legislation that included sexual orientation as well as expanded anti-discrimination legislation. In 1998, he created the Governor's Commission on Gay and Lesbian Youth, a first-in-the-nation body charged with reducing suicide among gay and lesbian youth.  Governor Weld also signed the Gay and Lesbian Student Rights Law banning harassment and discrimination in public schools based on actual or perceived discrimination.  He opposes the anti-family Federal Marriage Amendment.  Mr. Weld joined Log Cabin members from around the nation at The Big Tent Event in New York City held just before the Republican National Convention in August 2004.

• Former Los Angeles Mayor Richard Riordan (R) has been a powerful voice for inclusion and fairness.  During two terms as mayor, he signed a domestic partnership bill that extended health benefits to same-sex partners of city employees.  He also marched regularly in gay pride parades, helped secure funding for gay groups, and appointed many gays and lesbians to his Administration including one as Deputy Mayor.  

• Former Connecticut Governor John Rowland (R) had a strong record supporting inclusion and fairness.  He signed several laws to advance gay and lesbian civil rights including one that gives gay and lesbian couples limited partnership rights.  Another bill signed by Governor Rowland prohibits anti-gay discrimination in Connecticut public schools.  He also signed hate crimes legislation that includes protection for gay, lesbian, bi-sexual and transgender people.

• Former Wisconsin Governor Tommy Thompson (R) was one of the GOP's most gay-friendly governors.  He worked to develop an inclusive Republican Party platform in 2000.  As governor, Thompson signed legislation granting hospital visitation rights to gays and lesbians.  Also, despite pressure from some in his own party, Governor Thompson never tried to repeal Wisconsin's ban on discrimination based on sexual orientation.  He also had a sterling record on HIV/AIDS issues.  Mr. Thompson has as Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services since 2001.