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Gay Republicans angry with the right

Log Cabin group ‘dis-invited’ as partner of upcoming summit
Fort Lewis College sophomore psychology major Ben Baroch, left, and sophomore education major Ryan Flaherty, right, wave flags in honor of gay rights in front of a large crowd gathered at the FLC football field. Gay Republicans are upset that they have been prohibited to serve as partners of an upcoming conservative summit in Colorado.

DENVER – Gay Republicans are outraged that their colleagues on the right won’t allow them to participate as a partner at an upcoming conservative summit.

Log Cabin Republicans, a group that works within the GOP to advocate for gay rights, requested to be listed as partners of the three-day Western Conservative Summit, which will begin June 26 in Denver. It will feature high-profile conservatives, including Scott Walker, Ben Carson, Mike Huckabee and Rick Santorum.

But the group received a less-than-flattering response Tuesday from summit organizer John Andrews, a former state senator who serves as director of the conservative Centennial Institute, housed on the campus of Colorado Christian University in Lakewood.

“You and your members are very welcome to get tickets and attend, but we can’t officially have the organization as a partner, exhibitor or advertiser. (Log Cabin Republicans’) worldview and policy agenda are fundamentally at odds with what Colorado Christian University stands for, so it’s just not a fit. I’m sorry it has to be that way,” Andrews wrote.

Leaders with Log Cabin Republicans called the response a “dis-invitation,” pointing out that they were charged a $250 fee to attend as partners with a table to distribute information. More broadly, they suggest that the message is what’s holding the GOP back from widespread national growth.

“This dis-invitation to the WCS is showcasing the exact problem with the right. We should be expanding the tent, not excluding people who have shared ideas and philosophies,” said Michael Carr, secretary of the state chapter of Log Cabin Republicans. “Being perceived as anti-gay turns young people off even more than it does the general public.

“It is a pretty common issue we face: They’ll take our money but want us in the closet,” Carr said.

Andrews disagreed with the assertion his email served as a dis-invitation, pointing out that gay Republicans are welcome to attend the summit. He pointed out the money was refunded, and a disclaimer highlighted that organizers were allowed to reject any applicants.

Andrews underscored the connection to Colorado Christian University, suggesting that scripture must dictate certain decisions.

“I’ve made it very clear that they’re welcome as individuals to be part of the summit, but I don’t choose to sell them space to advocate for policies that are so fundamentally at odds with our core beliefs,” Andrews said.

“You cannot have the summit and the Centennial Institute policies be something different than the university when it relates to our core beliefs,” he said.

pmarcus@durangoherald.com

Apr 17, 2015
Gay Republicans continue pressure on their party


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