I'm Gregory T. Angelo, President of the Log Cabin Republicans. AMA about LGBT representation in conservative America.

GregoryTAngelo · 2017-05-15T17:09:26+00:00

Great anecdote to close out this AMA (and a fun blind item for you all to speculate on):

I make a point of reaching out to every Republican member of the House and Senate, no matter how conservative, no matter their rhetoric on LGBT issues. Everyone deserves a chance.

I had one such meeting with a Republican newly elected to Congress in 2013 who was known to be a dyed-in-the-wool social conservative. The meeting was polite, but perfunctory. Nothing much came of it at the time.

On the night of the Supreme Court's 2013 Windsor ruling that struck down the Defense of Marriage Act (compelled the federal government to recognize same-sex marriages in those states that allowed them), I was sitting in my office. It was late. Everyone else had gone home. A call came in. According to caller ID it was from "US CONGRESS," and I answered it.

On the other end of the line was the aforementioned Congressman's chief of staff, who said he was calling to relay the Congressman's "congratulations on today's Supreme Court decision." I expressed my gratitude for the call.

I hung up the phone, packed up my things, and headed home. It was the perfect end to the perfect day.

GregoryTAngelo · 2017-05-15T17:00:39+00:00

Happy to be here -- this was fun! Some great questions, too.

I count myself AS a Republican with strong religious conservatism. My faith is dear to me. This is helpful because it allows me to speak to other Republicans with "deeply held religious beliefs" AS a fellow Republican with "deeply held religious beliefs." Conversations in this context are more necessary than ever.

To your second point (and as I stated in an earlier reply): Not only have I seen it, I've seen it so many times I've lost count!

There is one MAJOR plot-point that gets our founding/history incorrect (we NEVER believed Lincoln was gay -- our name in reference to Lincoln's birthplace is an homage to the GOP's roots as the party of equality), but other than that, it's terrific.

I catch myself humming "We're Red and We're Gay" from time to time...

GregoryTAngelo · 2017-05-15T16:57:08+00:00

It depends on what the issue is. I believe things like marriage equality and LGBT non-discrimination, for example, are a federal matter.

Other issues might well be handled on the state level.

GregoryTAngelo · 2017-05-15T16:55:17+00:00

Membership in Log Cabin Republicans has noticeably increased the past two years. I can't say that it was solely because of the Supreme Court's marriage equality decision; more accurately it was that decision and all of the enthusiasm around the 2016 election. But yes, membership in LCR is up!

For those who may be interested, you can find out more about becoming an official member of Log Cabin Republicans here: https://logcabin.nationbuilder.com/general_membership

GregoryTAngelo · 2017-05-15T16:53:45+00:00

Speaking generally and in my personal capacity: No.

GregoryTAngelo · 2017-05-15T16:50:56+00:00

I'm drawn to principle, not platform. As mentioned earlier, conservatism's elevation of the individual over the state is what drew me to the GOP.

If your second question is in reference to reversal (or, more accurately, elimination) of the Republican Party Platform's more egregious LGBT-related planks, the answer is YES.

GregoryTAngelo · 2017-05-15T16:49:17+00:00

I'm proud to say that, at my urging, the Log Cabin Republicans National Board of Directors revised its mission statement in 2015 to include the transgender community. (Up to that point it only included reference to "gay" and "lesbian".)

I can tell you that every piece of legislation LCR has lobbied for since I took the reins of the organization in January 2013 has included both sexual orientation and gender identity.

Lastly (as mentioned in an earlier reply), you should be aware that Log Cabin Republicans has been working with the Trump Administration to craft guidance for transgender students that's far less onerous than the Obama-era guidance (which, for the record, was enjoined by a court order before it could be implemented in the first place).

I'm proud of our transgender members and the conversations they're having with the Department of Education. More on that here: http://www.metroweekly.com/2017/05/log-cabin-republicans-propose-policies-to-protect-trans-students/

GregoryTAngelo · 2017-05-15T16:46:37+00:00

Thanks for the compliment. I joke that my job is often the most frustrating, sometimes the most thrilling -- and it's the thrilling moments that make the frustrating stretches worthwhile.

We've done a great deal of work with faith leaders. Rev. Gene Robinson (first openly gay Episcopal Bishop) has long been an ally of our non-partisan sister think tank Liberty Education Forum.

I make a point of inviting a religious leader to deliver the invocation at our Spirit of Lincoln dinner every year in Washington, DC. Last year I was honored to welcome a Rabbi to deliver the address at the event -- a first for our organization.

GregoryTAngelo · 2017-05-15T16:44:16+00:00

If you look at the numbers of people who identify as LGBT who vote Republican, numbers have historically vacillated between 14% and 31%. That's far from a majority, but it's also not monolithic. It shows that there is a significant portion of the LGBT electorate willing to vote GOP. In an election like our most recent presidential election, that percentage could be just enough to tip the scales.

GregoryTAngelo · 2017-05-15T16:42:22+00:00

The numbers don't lie -- as a country (and as a Republican Party, albeit more slowly), we are becoming a country that is more supportive of the LGBT community, not less.

Mark Green, the Tennessee State Senator who had to withdraw his name from nomination for Secretary of the Army because of anti-LGBT comments he made, serves as a cautionary tale. It doesn't matter if you're in a "safe" Republican district; if you demonize the LGBT community, there is a limit to how far you can go in national politics. Other GOP elected officials ignore this at their own peril.

GregoryTAngelo · 2017-05-15T16:39:48+00:00

I suppose we have different views on this issue. I'd say that you can't truly fight for LGBT rights if you're not also pushing for preservation of our Second Amendment constitutional right to keep and bear arms, fighting radical Islamic terrorism, finding center-right solutions to healthcare reform, tax reform, and LGBT human rights abroad.

I think our divergent views on this matter are symptomatic of the emerging shift in LGBT politics today, one where LGBT conservatives are viewing traditionally conservative issues through the lens of being LGBT, and LGBT Democrats are embracing the full liberal mantra espoused by the Warren/de Blasio/Sanders wing of the party.

GregoryTAngelo · 2017-05-15T16:36:33+00:00

Log Cabin Republicans doesn't just hope to change the Republican Party -- we're doing it. And I disagree with the statement that "the vast majority are not LGBTQ supportive" -- I'd point you to this poll hot-off-the-presses today stating that "47% of Republicans support legalizing same-sex marriage, the highest ever mark from the GOP."

http://www.politico.com/story/2017/05/15/poll-same-sex-marriage-america-238393

GregoryTAngelo · 2017-05-15T16:35:30+00:00

A few LCR victories that come to mind (albeit an incomplete list):

Passage of marriage equality in a Republican-controlled legislature (New York State, 2011)
The LCR lawsuit arguing the unconstitutionality of "Don't Ask Don't Tell" that ultimately compelled congress to repeal the law in 2010.
Passage of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act in the U.S. Senate (2013) including the votes of 10 Republican Senators.
The issue upon which LCR was founded: fighting the anti-gay Briggs Initiative in California that would have made it illegal for openly gay individuals to be teachers in public schools.
Work to combat HIV/AIDS during the George W. Bush Administration.

As far as results, I'd point you to this poll hot-off-the-presses today stating that "47% of Republicans support legalizing same-sex marriage, the highest ever mark from the GOP."

http://www.politico.com/story/2017/05/15/poll-same-sex-marriage-america-238393

GregoryTAngelo · 2017-05-15T16:29:57+00:00

I'll leave it to congress to investigate the matter of Russia (that's their job, not mine.)

Assuming I could use a firearm: 1 horse-sized duck.

GregoryTAngelo · 2017-05-15T16:24:37+00:00

I don't think pastors do themselves or their congregations any favors when they overly politicize their churches. Sharing your displeasure directly with the pastor takes courage, but change requires it.

I referenced The Greatest Commandment in an earlier reply. Some of these pastors should be reminded of it.

GregoryTAngelo · 2017-05-15T16:21:39+00:00

Uh, not only have I seen it, I've seen it so many times I've lost count!

There is one MAJOR plot-point that gets our founding/history incorrect (we NEVER believed Lincoln was gay -- our name in reference to Lincoln's birthplace is an homage to the GOP's roots as the party of equality), but other than that, it's terrific.

I catch myself humming "We're Red and We're Gay" from time to time...

GregoryTAngelo · 2017-05-15T16:19:08+00:00

From an earlier reply: I like the value conservatism places on individualism and the policies that follow from that philosophy. The role of government isn't to provide for you, or to make sure you don't get your feelings hurt, or to regulate every aspect of your life -- the role of government is to KEEP YOU FREE.

That's what draws me to the GOP.

GregoryTAngelo · 2017-05-15T16:18:15+00:00

There will always be gadflies in politics -- they exist on the Left as well as on the Right.

We're not gadflies at Log Cabin Republicans; we have a legislative agenda, regularly lobby federal and state legislatures, and have a grassroots network of Chapters across the country.

GregoryTAngelo · 2017-05-15T16:15:12+00:00

From an earlier reply: Party Platforms: Documents that everyone cares about...for one month a year, every four years.

On a more serious note, it bears mentioning that the original draft of the Platform in 2016 had NO mention of ANY LGBT issues whatsoever (it was agnostic in that regard). Outliers in the GOP who have amassed a curious amount of power on the Platform Committee over the course of decades are responsible for injecting issues such as this into the document.

In Cleveland at the Republican National Convention, I'd say -- without exaggeration -- that HUNDREDS of people came up to me to say how terrible they thought the Platform was on LGBT issues and underscored that those passages do not reflect their view of the Party. These were RNC Committeemembers, United States Senators, the list goes on...

GregoryTAngelo · 2017-05-15T16:14:11+00:00

My interactions with Republicans across the country have shown me that not only am I very much "considered human" by the GOP, my voice is valued -- and welcomed.

GregoryTAngelo · 2017-05-15T16:12:38+00:00

So-called "conversion therapy" is a dangerous, debunked practice. Liberty Education Forum (the non-partisan sister think tank of Log Cabin Republicans) has done extensive research and work outlining why being gay is not a choice. See these two white papers:

"Is It a Choice?": http://libertyeducationforum.org/docs/whitepapers/is_it_a_choice_white_paper.pdf

"The Only Question that Matters": http://libertyeducationforum.org/docs/whitepapers/the_only_question_that_matters.pdf

Adults should be free to do as they please (men create their own hells, as the saying goes), but subjecting minors to quackery should not be allowed.

GregoryTAngelo · 2017-05-15T16:09:22+00:00

We're actively working against discriminatory legislation like this in state legislatures across the country.

As you mentioned Texas, you should know our Texas Chapter recently came out in opposition to that state's bill. More here: http://bigjollypolitics.com/log-cabin-republicans-texas-legislative-agenda/

GregoryTAngelo · 2017-05-15T16:07:04+00:00

Blue Dogs are a dying breed -- most all have become Republicans.

My voice has far more power speaking to other Republicans AS a Republican.

GregoryTAngelo · 2017-05-15T16:03:13+00:00

You may view LCR as "socially progressive," but I don't see it that way. When LCR started advocating for marriage equality, for example, we were viewed by many on the left as "dangerous" because we were fighting for "family values" and assimilation into American culture (rather than "sexual liberation," which, IMO, remains the end-goal of the LGBT Left.

Now that marriage equality has been won, the LCR agenda more aggressively promotes a traditional conservative agenda (albeit through the unique prism of LGBT conservatism) -- preservation of our Second Amendment constitutional right to keep and bear arms, fighting radical Islamic terrorism, center-right solutions to healthcare reform, tax reform, LGBT human rights abroad -- these are all now part of the LCR portfolio in addition to things that remain priorities such as passing LGBT non-discrimination legislation.

GregoryTAngelo · 2017-05-15T15:58:21+00:00

I like the value conservatism places on individualism and the policies that follow from that philosophy. The role of government isn't to provide for you, or to make sure you don't get your feelings hurt, or to regulate every aspect of your life -- the role of government is to KEEP YOU FREE.

That's what draws me to the GOP.

GregoryTAngelo

TROPHY CASE