Gay Republicans Back Charlie Crist

Florida's gay Republican group announced its endorsement of current governor and U.S. Senate hopeful Charlie Crist.

Crist, a former Republican who is running as an independent, is among three candidates the Sunshine Republicans is endorsing in this fall's election, according to political blog Shark Tank. The group officially announced its backing of Crist at an event Sunday, which Crist attended after attending the Florida Family Council's breakfast.

The three directors of the Sunshine Republicans have all voiced their opposition to the official GOP Senate candidate, Marco Rubio.

Crist has modified his stances on key gay rights issues since disassociating himself from the Republican Party. In May, Crist said that he is "would be inclined to support [the U.S.] Senate's proposed repeal of 'don't ask, don't tell.'" Crist then said in June that he no longer supports his state's ban on gay couples adopting children, adding that judges should determine adoption rights on a case-by-case basis.