Voting For Equality

California Republicans voted overwhelmingly to grant a charter to the state chapter of the Log Cabin Republicans, a conservative advocacy group that supports gay rights. The 861-293 outcome surprised some, satisfied others, and annoyed the right wing of the most conservative GOP loyalists.

In Washington, the national chapter of Log Cabin Republicans won one and lost one in their annual power struggle with the American Conservative Union. The ACU organizes the Conservative Political Action Conference every year, and every year the Log Cabin Republicans express interest in sponsoring the event and participating in the program. In previous years, both requests have been denied, but things changed this year. The organizers of the conference have invited the advocacy group to participate in a panel at the conference on the subject of Russia and Vladimir Putin.

Whose Party?

The California GOP convention vote in favor of recognizing the Log Cabin Republicans showed that “the fringe does not control the party any more,” in the words of one supportive delegate who was pleased with the result. The LCR is now an officially sanctioned volunteer arm of the state Republican Party, in a big move for many in the conservative political party.

Eye on a Rebound?

Efforts to reach out to traditionally Democratic voters are on the minds of many in power in the Republican Party. The GOP has seen its membership decline in recent years, with registration currently at an all-time low of 28 percent in California. The party is making greater efforts to recognize and include demographic groups such as:

• Ethnic minority groups
• The lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community
• Voting immigrants
• Young people of voting age

Many see the recognition of the Log Cabin Republicans by the state Republican Party as a step toward greater tolerance in the GOP in general.

Hot Issue

As the U.S. Supreme Court prepares to hear arguments on the constitutionality of same-sex marriage bans and a presidential election looms, the issue is sure to surface often in the coming year. Republicans in California took an opportune moment to advance toward recognition and respect for the LGBT community.

Skepticism Across the Aisle

Democrats remain unimpressed by the competing party’s small step toward recognizing equality. The Democratic Party in the state has recognized a LGBT caucus at least since the ‘90s. A spokesperson for the state Democratic Party called the move toward recognizing Log Cabin Republicans in the state “an important first step” but noted that the GOP is “light years behind” in making real policy decisions that reflect tolerance.

Standoff in Washington

The annual standoff in Washington between the conservative advocacy group Log Cabin Republicans and the American Conservative Union has previously failed to achieve what the LCR asked for: sponsorship of the Conservative Political Action Conference and participation in the program. This year, the group’s executive director notes that “not being allowed to sponsor this year’s event is not good,” but appreciates that participation on the panel on Russia and Vladimir Putin “is an important opportunity to show that LCR is more than just the ‘the gay marriage Republicans’.”

Opening to Equality

As more people, regardless of political party or ideology, realize the connections between all humanity, laws continue to evolve to favor tolerance and inclusiveness. While some of the changes annoy and offend some people who believe that the older ways of separation between people who are outwardly different from one another are better, the progress benefits the larger society with improved understanding among people.

Many people all around the world are coming to realize that all humans are children of the same universe and that all people have similar emotions and desires. Recognizing similarities that bring people together encourages greater diversity and inclusiveness in society, and all benefit from the enhanced communication and tolerance that flows from acceptance.