By Terry Bean

A few years ago on the heels of Patrick Guerriero’s excellent leadership, I directed a substantial gift to Log Cabin’s 501 (c)(3) Liberty Education Forum because I saw in the organization the promise of making real progress within the Republican Party on our issues. After a long discussion with Patrick Sammon, Guerriero’s successor at Log Cabin, I came away feeling confident that he also had the savvy to channel the power of GLBT Republicans to move the party in a more reasoned and principled direction.

Although I am an absolute, life-long, “dyed-in-the-wool” Democrat, I know that we need some Republican support to win our equality. It took Republican support to finally win passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and it will take that same united effort to win our rights. Realizing this important history makes supporting any organization that can move the GOP worthwhile. I had hoped that Log Cabin could be that force, but with the organization on the verge of endorsing John McCain’s candidacy for President, I fear that the fruition of that hope will be long deferred.

John McCain has one of the worst voting records on LGBT issues in the Senate. In fact, he has voted against our equality at every opportunity except one. Here is his record:

• Against ENDA
• Against ending “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”
• Against the Matthew Shepard Act Hate Crimes Act
• Against partnership recognition of any kind
• Against partner immigration rights
• Against any repeal of DOMA
• For anti-gay state constitutional amendments such as those in California, Florida and Arizona
• Will appoint anti-LGBT judges like Justice Scalia and Alito

(more…)