The Log Cabin Republicans have released their list of events for their members during the week of the Republican National Convention in Tampa, and one of those events will be a mid-week brunch entitled "Young Conservatives for the Freedom To Marry," that will be held in conjunction with Freedom to Marry, the group working to repeal DOMA, the Defense of Marriage Act.
Conservative activist gay groups like the Log Cabin Republicans have certainly had an issue with presumptive nominee Mitt Romney when it comes to the issue of same-sex marriage, as the former Massachusetts Governor is not only solidly against gay marriage, but against civil unions for same sex partners as well.
As a matter of fact, the group has yet to endorse Romney. But Clarke Cooper, Executive Director for the D.C. based national group, insists that's just "protocol."
"Historically we have not done anything with endorsements until after the convention," Cooper added.
[CLARIFICATION: Cooper called CL back after this post went up, clarifying that he meant that their national board will convene at some point after the convention and decide whether or not to make an endorsement of Romney. He said the board could very well decide not to, as there is considerable debate within the gay community about the candidate. There is precedent for the Log Cabin Republicans not to endorse – they did not do so in George W. Bush's bid for re-election in 2004, the same year when bans on same-sex marriage were up for a vote in 11 states.]
This article appears in Jul 26 – Aug 1, 2012.