Trump Holds Reception for Log Cabin Republicans
There has long been a faction, perhaps small, within the Republican Party that is under the impression that unless you are a white Christian, that there is no place for you in the Party. You could have also added “straight” to that list as well. But finally, the tide may be turning for those who might not be what you think of when you hear the terms “conservative” or “Republican.” Recently, former President Donald Trump hosted the Log Cabin Republicans, the largest gay Republican organization in the nation for their annual “Spirit of Lincoln” dinner at his Mar-a-Lago resort. For the left, who loves to tout Trump as the ultimate racist, sexist, bigoted homophobe, the Gala was a huge success, and a debut of sorts, for what may be a small, but often very politically and financially powerful GOP voting bloc.
Trump was greeted with a standing ovation, then welcomed the crowd with a speech where he said, “We are fighting for the gay community, and we are fighting and fighting hard. With the help of many of the people here tonight in recent years, our movement has taken incredible strides, the strides you’ve made here is incredible.” Since first running for office in 2016, Trump has taken many initiatives for and on behalf of the gay community, such as continuing to work to combat the spread of HIV. The Trump administration also began initiatives to encourage nations to repeal laws that criminalize homosexuality. It was also Donald Trump, not Joe Biden, who appointed the first openly gay cabinet member in former Acting Director of National Intelligence Rick Grinnell. But not all the gay Republican community has always been pleased with Trump’s record on gay rights issues. They point to things such as policies from the Trump administration restricting transgender Americans in the military, and certain Affordable Health Care transgender issues.
Charles Moran is the president of the Log Cabin Republicans and could also be seeing just how important it is for his organization to not only be seen as an important and viable voting bloc for the GOP, but also to start using the substantial pull and influence they could have as well. During the reception he said, “I just heard a Republican candidate for president stand up and say he is willing to fight, and I challenge every other Republican to make the same pledge Donald Trump made tonight.” But Moran didn’t stop there. In a subsequent interview he also said, “I’m going to hold all candidates to that same standard. We’re really at a place now where we’re going to have an open election, and there are going to be other Republicans running, and we have a responsibility to look at the entire Republican field.”
And in yet another example of not every Republican marching in lock step with the Party, the Log Cabin Republicans did support the Respect for Marriage Act that was recently signed by President Joe Biden. They were instrumental in persuading several GOP House members to vote yes. But while most Republicans may not have been in support of the legislation, Moran says that House Republican Whip-Elect Rep. Tom Emmer (R-MN) has become an ally of the Log Cabin Republicans and is eager to work on legislation with the group including the “Restore Honor to Servicemembers Act.” The bill would offer the opportunity for members of the military who were dishonorably discharged under “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” to have their discharge status changed to honorable.
A new year and the upcoming 2024 presidential campaign bring many new possibilities for the Republican Party, if they are willing to override what can be a vocal contingent of the Party, and welcome those who might not always fit the mold. According to a recent Gallup poll, 71% of Americans now approve of same sex marriages, including 55% of Republicans. More and more of those same sex couples, are also declaring themselves Republicans. There will always be a portion of the Party who does not want to fully include Log Cabin Republicans because they disapprove of homosexuality based on their religious beliefs. Those folks are entitled to their beliefs. But the Republican Party is not a religious organization. And if the GOP continues to ignore groups like conservative gays and conservative Pagans, just because they are not straight or because they are not Christian, then they do so at their own peril.
It is a topic that has been touched on here before. And it is a topic that must be discussed more and more in the run-up to 2024. Just as the Log Cabin Republicans appear to be embracing their political power, so do Pagan conservatives. In 2020, it was estimated that roughly 730,000 Americans identified as belonging to faiths that fall under the Pagan umbrella. That number of Witches, Wiccans, Druids, or other non-traditional Pagan faiths are those that are known. The actual number, because of religious persecution is unknown. One “Witches for Trump” Facebook page clocks in at around 2,000 likes and posts daily.
After the red wave that wasn’t, Republicans started to ask each other why they were not winning elections. In addition to learning to play the mail-in ballot game just as well, if not better than Democrats, could it be that, embracing people who may not be exactly like you, but agree with you many more times than not be a possible key to doing better in 2024? Gay and Pagan Republicans are here, and they vote. If the Republican Party is going to tout itself as a “big tent” Party, they shouldn’t leave a big chunk of voters asking, “where’s the tent?”
