Log Cabin Dallas is dedicated to building the Unity Party
As the new president of the Log Cabin Republicans of Dallas, I’m excited to share our vision for the “Unity Party” — a broader coalition focused on common sense, bipartisanship and an unwavering commitment to the issues that truly matter to Americans.
This isn’t your old Republican Party. It’s a new movement built on inclusion, reform and a genuine desire to make America better for everyone.
A broader coalition
This election was a wake-up call. The data is undeniable: Minority groups, young voters and even members of the LGBTQ+ community are finding their place within this new Republican coalition.
Trump made historic gains among Black voters, marking his best performance since Gerald Ford nearly 50 years ago. Among 18-to-29-year-olds, the GOP had its strongest showing in two decades. Trump also achieved the highest level of Latino voter support for a Republican in the history of exit polling, showing a significant shift among this key demographic. And here in Texas, over 30 percent of LGBTQ+ voters cast their ballots for Trump, according to ABC exit polling.
These shifts aren’t just demographic; they’re geographical, too. Trump gained 12 points in New York, 9 points in Illinois and 10 points in Maryland. Emerging swing states like New Jersey, Virginia and New Mexico are changing the political map.
These shifts are significant, reflecting a growing frustration with the establishment and a desire for a party that focuses on economic and personal freedoms over divisive social issues.
We’ve also seen inspiring bipartisan initiatives from leaders like Bernie Sanders, AOC and Cory Booker. Even Cenk Uygur’s recent discussions with Elon Musk and Donald Trump Jr. about Pentagon reform highlight the importance of bridging divides. The Unity Party is about fostering collaboration between once-polarized groups, proving that common ground is within reach if we’re willing to talk and listen.
Not just MAGA: The Unity Party vision
It’s easy to mistake this movement for being solely about MAGA, but the Unity Party is much bigger. It’s a coalition of disillusioned Democrats, independents and conservatives who are united around shared goals and common-sense policies. Former Democrat leaders like RFK Jr., Tulsi Gabbard and Elon Musk have shown that Americans are ready for a pragmatic, solutions-oriented approach to politics — one that focuses on economic stability, healthcare reform and protecting individual liberties.
What sets this new movement apart? For the first time in 40 years, the Republican National Convention had no anti-gay legislation or national abortion bans in its platform. Under Trump, the GOP has appointed openly gay individuals to high-profile positions — like Rick Grinnell as the director of national intelligence and Scott Bessent as Secretary of the Treasury — proving that inclusion and qualifications, not identity, should define leadership.
Yet, these stories are barely discussed because they don’t fit the typical narrative the media likes to portray.
The role of LGBTQ+ advocacy groups
This brings me to a critical point: LGBTQ+ advocacy needs a reality check. Organizations like the Human Rights Campaign have lost their way, focusing on niche issues like gender-expansive care for minors while neglecting impactful legislation like the Equality Act. The Equality Act would provide protections for 13 million LGBTQ+ Americans — protections we all need.
Meanwhile, the HRC’s own data shows that issues like gender care affect only about 33,000 children nationwide. When you Google the Human Rights Campaign, articles titled “Supporting Transgender, Non-binary, and Gender-Expansive Children” dominate the conversation.
Why are we prioritizing divisive, headline-grabbing topics over comprehensive solutions that could benefit millions? I can’t help but wonder if the reason for this focus is strategic: Does HRC fear that if the Equality Act passes, or if other legislation codifying Obergefell succeeds, it could hinder their fundraising efforts? Is the urgency of niche topics more financially beneficial than fighting for broader, impactful change?
In a recent episode of the Coffee with Gays podcast, we discussed the importance of kindness and respect regardless of who you support politically. It’s crucial that advocacy groups adopt this broader mindset — focusing on unifying, meaningful legislative action rather than creating unnecessary division.
Reforming the Texas GOP
At the state level, the work is just beginning. My goal as president of the Log Cabin Republicans of Dallas is to help reform the Texas GOP to focus on economic policies rather than social wedge issues.
Take, for example, the recent debates over kids at drag shows or transgender participation in sports. These are manufactured distractions that don’t reflect the priorities of most LGBTQ+ Texans — or Texans in general. We need to shift our focus to real issues — education, healthcare, and economic opportunity for all — that can make a difference in people’s lives.
A call for unity
The Unity Party isn’t just a political label; it’s a mindset. It’s about rejecting the divisiveness that has plagued both parties for too long. It’s about reaching across the aisle and having real conversations, even when they’re uncomfortable.
This election proved that Americans are ready for a change. Let’s honor that by working together to build a future where everyone has a seat at the table.
I invite you to keep an open mind and join us in this effort. Together, we can reshape the narrative, challenge stereotypes and create a movement that truly represents the diverse, dynamic fabric of our country.
Blaine LaBron is the president of the Log Cabin Republicans of Dallas and co-host of the Coffee with Gays podcast. Visit LogCabinDallas.com for more information, and check out Coffee with Gays at CoffeeWithGays.com for candid conversations on the important issues impacting our community.
I wish I had a nickel for every Log Cabin claim of making progress with the Texas GOP. I’d own a private luxury island, private jet, super yacht…..
@Pamela – I understand your skepticism—there have been many claims of progress from Log Cabin Republicans over the years. But here’s the thing: The Republican Party is actually more welcoming than you’d think, and that’s not just an outsider assumption—it’s my experience. I chose not to stay in the shadows because I believe sharing this perspective is important, even if it doesn’t align with the common narrative.
It’s easy to dismiss attempts to create change as futile, but the truth is, real change happens when people are willing to step up, be present, and share their voices in environments where they’re not always expected. That’s exactly why I’m doing this, and why I believe our community needs to be represented on both sides of the aisle. My experience is just as valid as anyone else’s, and I’m here to share it.
“More welcoming than you’d think.”
Are you high Clariee??
*reads GOP platform…
Yup. Still driven to traditional family values. You are going to be the Jill Stein of voter pull. Reproductive rights, “send it to the states.” Are you seriously suggesting that if given the chance same-sex marriage is overturned it won’t be banned in every red state in America?
I’ll ask you again… are you high?
You’re right, things like the drag bill and transgender participation in sports are manufactured distractions. What you fail to mention is that it was the Republican Party of Texas whose members spent untold hours pushing legislation for those manufactured distractions. Whose candidates ran campaigns where those manufactured distractions were front and center.
The Republican Party manufactured these distractions. Blaming anyone else is a lie.
Well I’d argue that organizations like the Human Rights campaign made these an issue first and republicans in Texas responded. Even Trumps attack ads used Kamala Harris’ own words on this topic. These aren’t issues our community is pushing it is typically straight liberals looking for a talking point and using our community as one. Take the kids at drag shows…those aren’t gay parents those are liberal moms who come into our spaces because they want to be the “cool mom”. That is the problem and republicans responded.
As for the legislation I’ve already been campaigning in the state house to focus on issues like lower property taxes, raises for teachers all of which is currently being considered in the state and my voice is telling them “kids in drag shows were never an issue it was just a liberal fad.” Focus on legislation that actually matters. That’s my take on this.
Thank you for that deflection; allow me to volley back. No one in the LGBTQ+ community felt a need to deny transgender youth access to gender affirming care. No one in the LGBTQ+ community lobbied for bills to force us to use bathrooms assigned at birth, to shut down drag shows, etc. Show me which “straight liberal” came out before Republican legislators in Texas or any other state started passing these bills and said that these were a great idea.
Republicans sponsored these bills. Republicans pushed them through the legislature. A Republican signed them into law. Those are facts. To ignore them, to evade the truth, is a defense of the indefensible.
PS: Drag queens were on the front lines at Compton’s and Stonewall. Drag queens raised funds to help care for AIDS patients when the Reagan administration refused to use the word. Drag shows were never intended for the mainstream-they were part of the gay community. I agree that kids don’t belong at drag shows, but overly broad laws are not the answer.
By your logic, because the bills were all allegedly authored by Republicans, all Republicans must be anti trans.
For one, Goldie Leprechaun would never preform at a venue who allowed children to attend.
I find it odd that Blaine has not responded to Zelda’s very astute and accurate comments about the Republican Party being the ones to create and use these wedge issues against us and the rest of the country. Take the note Blaine, just close your one mouth, open your two ears, and take the note.
I did it was being held for moderation. Please read my response and then I’d love to hear your opinion on this.
So Democrats never create any wedge issues? Seriously.
This piece omits the many ways in which the modern Republican Party scapegoats the LGBT community and seeks to take away our rights, to the point that it essentially reads as propaganda.
Some points the author forgot to include:
• In 2017, Donald Trump proposed a policy that would have banned all transgender military service members from openly serving, and ultimately adopted a policy that banned all transgender people from newly enlisting in the military.
• In 2022, Texas’s two Republican senators and every Republican congressman representing the D/FW area voted against the Respect for Marriage Act, a law that granted federal recognition of same-sex marriages.
• In 2022, the Texas GOP updated its official platform to define homosexuality as an “abnormal lifestyle choice” and oppose “all efforts to validate transgender identity.”
• In 2022, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton worked with Governor Greg Abbott, both Republicans, to redefine what is classified as “child abuse” to include gender-affirming medical care for transgender children so that state agencies could investigate and remove children receiving such care.
• In 2024, the Texas DPS, under the watch of political appointees of Republican Governor Greg Abbott, implemented a policy that prohibits transgender Texans from changing the gender markers on their driver’s licenses or state IDs.
Perhaps the author supports the above actions, but either way, his vocal support of the Republican Party acts as a tacit endorsement of these and every other anti-LGBT actions taken by the Republican Party, and if he is seeking validation from the rest of us for that misguided support, he’s going to need to look elsewhere.
The Respect for Marriage Act attempted to target churches who would not perform marriage ceremonies for same sex couples. This is partly why Cruz did not vote for it. It was unduly broad and overly reaching.
Where can I join a gay conervative group in Dallas?
Hello! We’d love to have you join the Log Cabin Republicans of Dallas!
We’re a growing chapter dedicated to building a stronger, more inclusive conservative movement right here in North Texas.
You can:
📨 Join Our Mailing List: https://www.logcabindallas.com/join_mailing_list
🎟 Join the Chapter: https://www.logcabindallas.com/become_a_member
📅 RSVP for Events: https://www.logcabindallas.com/upcoming_events
To learn more about Log Cabin Republicans and our chapter, visit:
🔗 https://www.logcabindallas.com
We look forward to seeing you at one of our events! Feel free to reach out if you have any questions or want to learn more. – Blaine