Dear Editors:

The recent ad run in the Florida Agenda by the Broward Log Cabin Republicans does not represent the position of Log Cabin Republicans, and we reject it completely. The 9-11 attack on Americans posted in Libya was an act of terrorism. To suggest that the Al- Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb attack on the US consular mission in Benghazi was connected to homophobia is just as ridiculous as US Ambassador to the UN, Susan Rice, claiming the attack in Benghazi was prompted by a film critical of Mohammed.

Violence against the LGBT community is a challenge to civil society throughout the world, and America is a beacon for freedom for all minority voices. There are plenty of reasons to vote Republican to protect US interests and human rights abroad, but the obscene ad in this publication is fallacious, grossly inappropriate and irresponsible.

Further, on a personal level and as a former diplomat, seeing this ad makes me sick. I know Israel’s ambassador to the US, Michael Oren, who happens to be a pro-gay rights conservative, and I am deeply embarrassed to have to explain to him and strong pro-gay rights conservative ally, House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman, Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, that a local chapter of Log Cabin Republicans ran such an offensive ad in an attempt to get voters to the polls and bolster the US bilateral relationship with Israel.

Our organization’s mission is to build a stronger, more inclusive Republican Party, and this ad failed on all fronts.

Regards,

R. Clarke Cooper

Executive Director, Log Cabin Republicans Washington, D.C.

Cooper said that the GOP’s 2008 platform contained language that was divisive, and specifically targeted the LGBT community. “Just looking at the 2008 [platform], Log Cabin has gone through and we’ve noted language in there that’s either directly unhelpful, or seen as anti-gay, and have marked it for deletion,” he said. In a section titled, “Preserving Traditional Marriage,” the 2008 platform endorses the federal Defense of Marriage Act, and supports the passage of same-sex marriage bans through state referendums.

Log Cabin Republicans plan to host a number of events during the week of the RNC, including an Aug. 26 welcome reception, a meet-and-greet with the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund for openly-gay Republican candidates on Aug. 27, a brunch for “Conservatives for the Freedom to Marry” on Aug. 29, and a press event to honor congressional Republican allies of the gay community, on Aug. 30. Another LGBT conservative group, GOProud, will host its annual “Homocon” party on Aug. 28, at The Honey Pot in Ybor City.

In a written statement, the Log Cabin Republicans said: “Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen has long been on the frontlines in fighting for human dignity at home and abroad. As a founding member of the House LGBT Equality Caucus, she has been a reliable ally and leader time and again on legislation to secure freedom and fairness for all Americans. Log Cabin Republicans are grateful that she has once again stepped forward as an inclusive leader by co-sponsoring the Respect for Marriage Act,” said R. Clarke Cooper, Log Cabin Republicans Executive Director.

“ Marriage is a fundamental right of all Americans.

The so-called Defense of Marriage Act (“DOMA”) is an offense to the core conservative principles of liberty and federalism. It has been repudiated by its author, former Congressman Bob Barr (R-GA), and is rejected by a growing majority of Americans. It is time that our law respected all marriages.

There is much work to be done to make that dream a reality, but with Congresswoman Ros-Lehtinen’s leadership, marriage equality is on the horizon.”

Congresswoman Ros-Lehtinen said, “I’m pleased to join the Log Cabin Republicans in our fight for marriage equality. I co-sponsored the repeal of DOMA because I firmly believe that equality is enshrined in our constitution and in our great democracy.”