GOPers Warn Boycott Over Gay Inclusion

Liberty Counsel says it may lead a pullout of an annual conservative conference due to the involvement of a gay Republican organization.

GOProud announced its cosponsorship of the annual Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) on December 8. However, Liberty Counsel's director of cultural affairs, Matt Barber, issued a notice to members and other conservatives saying he was "disturbed" that GOProud was a cosponsor for the event.

"Among other things, GOProud advocates in favor of both 'gay marriage' and 'civil unions,' against pro-marriage constitutional amendments; is pushing for the repeal of 'don't ask, don't tell,' and advocates in favor of federal 'partnership benefits' for homosexuals," he wrote. "This group is pushing a radical leftist agenda that is an affront to the GOP platform, conservatism and, most importantly, the Word of God."

According to Americans for Truth, Barber is committed to leading a pullout of cosponsors for "a pro-homosexuality CPAC." Other cosponsors include the National Organization for Marriage, Concerned Women for America, and the Alliance Defense Fund.

Lisa De Pasquale, the director of CPAC, said the 100 conservative groups in the coalition are bound to have some disagreements with each other. "But at the end of the day," she told political blog Hot Air, "we all agree on core conservative principles. As you know, GOProud was founded by a former member of the Log Cabin Republicans who left the group because he thought they were doing a disservice to their constituency by not adhering to conservative and Republican principles." De Pasquale added, "After talking with their leadership and reviewing their website, I am satisfied that they do not represent a 'radical leftist agenda,' as some have stated, and should not be rejected as a CPAC cosponsor."

Jimmy LaSalvia, executive director of GOProud, told Advocate.com that he and his organization are looking forward to the conference but would not comment on the current accusations by Barber. In a press release announcing their involvement, LaSalvia said that GOProud's sponsorship is "one of the most important things we will do all year."

The conference is scheduled for February 18-20 in Washington, D.C.