Attorney Dan Woods, right, speaks to the media at the United States District Court in Riverside, Calif., after making arguments on the U.S. military’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy last October. Woods, who represents Log Cabin Republicans who are the plaintiffs in the case, will be in Dallas this weekend to speak at the LCR National Convention. (Francis Specker/Associated Press)
DADT attorney Dan Woods, former Congressman Bob Barr slated to speak at gay Republican gathering at the Anatole Hotel
JAMES BRIGHT | Contributing Writer
editor@dallasvoice.com
Several prominent GOP members will be spending some time in Dallas this weekend to participate in the Log Cabin Republicans’ annual convention, which will take place at the Hilton Anatole Hotel.
The event, which began Thursday, April 28, and runs through Sunday, May 1, will include discussions and speeches from politicians, lawyers and members of the media.
Dan Woods, lead attorney in LCR’s lawsuit challenging the military’s “don’t ask, don’t tell policy,” will be speaking at the convention about the importance of the case, its current standing and some of the war stories involved in the suit.
“People think this case is over and it’s not,” Woods said in a recent interview. “Our case is alive and kicking.”
Woods said there are two different things going on with the case: Although LCR won at trial, the government has decided to appeal the decision. After months of legal arguments and appeals from both sides oral arguments are supposed to begin next week.
Despite the legal battle and action in Congress to repeal the anti-gay law, Woods said as of this point the repeal of DADT is not in effect. He said that steps have to be taken to get the military ready and although there are some efforts in this area service men and women are still suffering from this legislation.
“There is no timetable as to when this repeal will become affective,” Woods said. “Although the numbers are smaller the government is still investigating people under ‘don’t ask, don’t tell.’”
Another problem Woods said he has run into is that many potential presidential candidates have made stopping the repeal part of their platform. Political issues are key in this legislation’s evolution, according to Woods.
“The government has said they don’t want the courts deciding how our military is run. What’s really going on is President Obama wants to take credit for all this to help his next campaign,” Woods said.
In addition to talking about the current status of DADT, Woods said he will talk about some of those suffering from this legislation.
“We are going to focus on stories about those affected by ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ and the heart-breaking tales of how it impacted them and the unit they worked on,” he said.
One such servicemember, according to Woods, was Alexander Nicholson, who was kicked out of the Army because he was caught writing a letter to a former boyfriend. Another story involved a lieutenant colonel in the Army Reserves whose name cannot be used.
“This is just another story where someone is being denied their constitutional rights while they work to protect ours,” Woods said.
LCR Executive Director R. Clarke Cooper said the repeal of DADT is a front page and front burner issue for the organization.
“We can’t take our eye off it,” he said.
The convention will also feature as keynote speaker former Congressman Bob Barr.
Barr, who ran as the Libertarian candidate in the 2008 presidential election, served in the House of Representatives as a Republican from Georgia from 1995 to 2003. During his time in office he authored and sponsored the Defense of Marriage Act, which was enacted as law in 1996.
At the federal level the legislation recognized marriage as being between a man and a woman and declared that individual states can choose not to recognize same-sex marriages performed in other states.
Barr apologized in 2008 for his role in creating the legislation and now supports the Respect for Marriage Act, which would repeal DOMA.
Rob Schlein, president of the Dallas chapter of Log Cabin Republicans, said Barr is one of the speakers he is most looking forward to hearing, since the former congressman switched his position on DOMA. Schlein said it’s important for members of the LGBT community to hear this information due to misconceptions about the GOP’s opinion toward LGBT people.
“The Republican Party is one of liberty and freedom,” Schlein said. “Gay people should feel at home in the party.”
Cooper said having Barr available to speak at the convention was a wonderful advantage since he was the father of DOMA,
“We started at the top,” Cooper said. “It’s anti-government for the federal government to have such power over the states like what is granted in the Defense of Marriage Act. It’s going to die, but when that happens is just speculation right now.”
Cooper said communication is an important factor in battling for LGBT rights within the GOP.
“We need to let people know in the gay community who are businessmen, or servicemembers that they have a home in the GOP,” he said.
Cooper said the general consensus surrounding the idea of a gay Republican has become a matter of levity to him.
“I joke for gay Republicans there is coming out twice,” he said. “You come out first when you’re gay and then when you’re a Republican.”
Cooper said marriage equality at large is a growing issue on a broader scale. Although it is unlikely that debate over DOMA will be seen on the floor this year, Cooper said events like these give Log Cabin Republicans a chance to educate the entire party.
“We use traditional conservative values from the 19th century,” he said. “We should not regulate or impede on our neighbors’ rights and someone born differently should not be treated differently.”
Cooper said it is important for the entire GOP to know that Log Cabin Republicans are also interested in pushing the party’s larger and broader agenda.
“We want to educate while working with our fellow Republicans,” he said.
Republicans will be responsible for giving members of the LGBT community the liberties they want, according to Schlein, who said that Democrats are the ones perpetuating limited rights.
“Democrats need these issues to keep winning elections,” he said.
Even Democratic politicians at the top of the federal hierarchy are responsible for limiting LGBT equality, according to Schlein. He said President Obama could have easily repealed DADT when he had the support of a Democratic Congress during his first two years in office.
“He chooses not to repeal it, because he wants to enslave gay people,” Schlein said.
In addition to hearing some of the speakers at the convention, Schlein said he will also go to board meetings since he does sit on the national board of the Log Cabin Republicans.
Cooper said recently the number of supporters and members of Log Cabin Republicans have been increasing somewhat dramatically. The development of LCR candidates is an important issue the organization is tackling according to Cooper.
LCR members are developing relationships in the GOP, but also getting members to run, Cooper said.
“Our numbers are starting to grow as more people come out of the closet and more members start to become more supportive,” he said. “We are at a point in the organization where we have to say, ‘It’s just not enough to be visible. We need gay Republicans to run for office.’”
Ken Mehlman, former head of the Republican National Committee and campaign manager for President George W. Bush’s successful second run for president, will also be speaking at the convention.
And former Sen. Norm Coleman was a late addition to the event. Coleman, who served as a federal senator from Minnesota from 2003 to 2009, now works as an adviser to the Republican Jewish Coalition. He was one of three candidates in the highly publicized 2008 senate election in which the Minnesota Supreme Court handed down a ruling declaring comedian Al Franken the winner of the seat.
Coleman will not actually be at the convention, but has recorded a video message in which he welcomes all members of the GOP into the Republican tent.
Although originally listed as a speaker, Fox News correspondent Margaret Hoover will not be attending the convention. Cooper said her cancellation had nothing to do with the group’s social agenda.
Those interested in the event can register at Logcabin.org.
FULL CONVENTION PROGRAM:
Log Cabin Republicans National Convention and Liberty Education Forum National Symposium Program
WHAT:
Log Cabin Republicans, the nation’s largest organization of Republicans who support fairness, freedom, and equality for gay and lesbian Americans is holding its 2011 National Convention, in coordination with the Liberty Education Forum’s National Symposium.
WHO:
Alan Kittleman, State Senator (R, MD)
Alex Nicholson, Executive Director, Servicemembers United
Audra Shay, Executive Director, Project GOPink
Bob Barr, Former Congressman (R, GA)
Bob Kabel, Chairman, DC GOP
Chuck Wolfe, Executive Director, Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund
Dan Woods, Partner, White & Case
Dan Zwonitzer, State Representative (R, WY)
Dave Nalle, National Chairman, Republican Leadership Council
David Lampo, Political Director, LCR Virginia
Evan Wolfson, Freedom to Marry
Fred Karger, presidential candidate
Jeff Cook, Allegiance Strategies
Kristen Silverberg, Former Ambassador to the European Union
Len Olds, Chairman Emeritus, Liberty Education Forum
Lupe Valdez, Dallas County Sheriff
Mark Groombridge, United Against a Nuclear Iran
Meg Ten Eyck, Education Manager, The Trevor Project
Mike Gin, Mayor of Redondo Beach and candidate for Congress
Mitchell Gold, Founder, Faith in America
Ned Farr, Director, “A Marine Story”
Richard Grenell, Former Communications Director to the U.S. mission to the United Nations
Richard Tisiei, former State Senator (R, MA)
Roy Ashburn, former State Senator (R, CA)
S. E. Cupp, Conservative political commentator
Sarah Longwell, Berman & Co.
Scott Schmidt, President, LCR Los Angeles
WHERE:
Hilton Anatole
2201 Stemmons Freeway
Dallas, TX, 75207
214-748-1200
WHEN:
April 28 – May 1, 2011
Friday, April 29
9:00 am- 9:45 am
Reagan’s 80-20 Rule: Building new coalitions in our common goal of creating a stronger, more inclusive Republican Party. (Sarah Longwell, and Audra Shay, Dave Nalle)
10:15 am-11:00 am
Ending ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.’ An inside look at Log Cabin Republicans’ legal and legislative challenges to ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ (Dan Woods, R. Clarke Cooper, Alex Nicholson)
11:05am-11:55 am
Issues Around The Corner. Priorities being tackled by state and local leaders. (Jeff Cook, David Lampo, Evan Wolfson, State Rep. Dan Zwonitzer)
12:10pm-2:00pm
Log Cabin Republicans National Luncheon with remarks by Senator Richard Tisei & Senator Allan Kittleman, with recorded greeting by Congressman Pete Sessions. Introductions provided by Chuck Wolfe of the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund, Evan Wolfson of Freedom to Marry, and R. Clarke Cooper of Log Cabin Republicans.
2:15 pm-3:15 pm
Foreign Policy Discussion. An in-depth look at global hot spots with leading foreign policy experts (Richard Grenell and Amb. Kristin Silverberg).
3:20 pm-4:15 pm
On the inside: Leading as Republicans. (Sen. Roy Ashburn, Scott Schmidt, DC Republican Party Chairman Bob Kabel, Presidential Candidate Fred Karger)
Saturday, April 30
9:30 am- 10:25 am
No Longer In Silence, Where We Are in 2011. A discussion of past Liberty Education Forum programs and looking forward to programs for 2011.
10:50am – 11:45am
Faith in America. Mitchell Gold speaks about his organization and book, “Crisis: 40 Stories of Growing Up Gay in America.”
11:55am – 12:55pm
Liberty Education Forum Luncheon featuring Evan Wolfson of Freedom to Marry and Dallas Sheriff Lupe Valdez.
1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Film Screening: A Marine Story Followed byQ&A with Film Director Ned Farr
3:15 pm- 4:00 pm
It Gets Better. Overcoming bullying and discrimination with Meg Ten Eyck of the Trevor Project.
6:00-9:30 pm
Log Cabin Republicans National Dinner with remarks by S.E. Cupp & Congressman Bob Barr and recorded greeting by Senator Norm Coleman.
WHY would ANYone want to go to a convention filled with a bunch of really old, self hating gay men, most of whom still try to live in the closet. I used to be a republican when I still wasn’t confortable being gay and being out. Let me tell you, all of my closet gay republican friends would rather sell out our people that offend people who hate us like the republican lord and savior GW Bush. It’s disgusting, these men just need to learn to love who they are and stop electing people who hate our kind.
@Nathan, why do you hate old people?
Hun, I’m old too, you missunderstood my point. I was once one of these guys. The LCR are filled with a bunch of self hating older gay men. If you have ever been to one of their meetings you would know what i’m talking about.
@nathan, you don’t sound very compassionate towards them.
Nor should I or anyone have to be compassionate towards them. This group of people actively supports candidates and elected officials that open hate us. Some have even called for our deaths. WHY on earth should ANYone be compassionate to these people when so actively opose Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered peoples?
@Nathan, when did this group of people call for LGBT deaths? I haven’t heard of such a thing. I remember reading when the LGBT were being killed in Africa and Iran it was the Christian Right that came out against it.
Anyone wanna go and picket this event? I am tired of Civil rights being exchanged for backroom deals that only enhance the Republican Agenda. They are sticking their head in the sand and ignoring their own party platform that is anti-gay. They claim they are help us, but they are not. In the meantime they are helping the Republican Party Discriminate against us while they live with the an illusion that the Republican Party will ever accept us as citizens and represent us in a positive way.
I have created a group on here for Gays and Straights for Equality its called Patriots for Equality. Please join so we can have a central meeting place for ideas and discussions. Remember what Ben Franklin “Those who would give up Essential Liberty to purchase a little Temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety.” We cannot exchange one right to guarantee another one. We cannot exchange our dignity for false promises and no action. Please stand with the Patriots today. Everyone deserves to be free equal. https://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=group_205321869507725
some Rebublicans gay/bi/tri (open or private) are sexy and earnest people…it’s actually refreshing to see other non-heteros w/ differing political and spiritual beliefs…let them meet in peace 😉
Schlein loses credibility when he shifts from supporting gay equal civil rights to bashing Obama. “He chooses not to repeal it, because he wants to enslave gay people,” is a weak minded statement not deserving of my respect.
A recent headline on the Instant Tea Blog of The Dallas Voice:
Log Cabin Republicans Member Assaulted Called “Faggot” During Convention At Hilton Anatole
https://dallasvoice.com/report-log-cabin-member-assaulted-national-convention-hilton-anatole-1074755.html
Okay, one reads this headline and immediately one thinks, “OMG, those damned Republicans are beating up poor little defensive less queens.” Then, you read the article. No, your initial thinking is totally wrong. The stupid Log Cabin Republicans decided to have their National Convention at the same hotel on the same weekend as some Right Wing Group was having a meeting. At 1:30 in the morning, a bunch of the stupid queens started whistling at a Right Winger and making lewd remarks. Stupid Right Winger was offended and pushed one of the queens and called the queen a faggot. Now the queen wants this prosecuted as a HATE CRIME.
HELLO PEOPLE!! Just because we should have equal rights and one day will have them doesn’t give one the right to offend someone by making an unwanted pass at them. If it had been on Cedar Springs during Halloween Night or during Pride Parade is one thing, being rude at the Anatole is another. I guess I’m too old. I think the stupid Right Winger should have decked the queen. Broken his stupid nose. Shown him that being equal also means the right to be decked when you act really dumb.
I used to be so proud of the Dallas Voice. I was swept in by the high class printing job, etc I guess. Then, I began to have doubts about the time they were reporting on the trouble at The Crews Inn. I saw the “crowds of protestors” (only about 12 or so max). I began to realize that everything you read on DallasVoice.com or in print is totally slanted.
Just my $0.03 worth.
The Log Cabin Republicans have one HUGE problem. Have they ever actually read their OWN party’s platoform? The republican party platform passed by their memborship is incredibly anti-gay. So, why will NONE of the log cabin republicans stand up and vote for equality in their OWN party?
When i was old enough to vote, I read both the Democratic Party platform and the republican platform, and if all LGBTQ people would do that, I guarantee that NO LGBTQ person in their right mind would EVER vote for a republican.
Why is it that some gay men protest intolerance when it’s leveled against them, but are unable to practice it when it applies to others? The Democratic party claims to be the only home for gay men, but differs very little from the GOP on so-called “gay issues.” The Log Cabin Republicans should be commended and encouraged for trying to fight the intolerance inside the GOP from within. If there’s any self-hating going on, it’s by those gay men who feel they’re not good enough to participate in the Republican Party or who lack the courage to try to change it from within.
@ Kevin: REALLY? It’s self-hating to despise a political party that would deny you any rights as a human being? It’s self-hating to not want to try to change the Republican party from within? Have you read the Republican Party of Texas’ platform plank on “homosexuality”? How’s that trying to fight the intolerance within the GOP working out for you? This is the dumbest comment I’ve EVER seen on this blog, and that’s saying quite a lot. Don’t even bother to respond. You are way out of your league.
Personally, I left the Democrat Party when I realized that I could not afford to support the Democrats agenda. Democrats want to tax us into the poor house. I’m a gay man, but I will not blindly vote for an idiot like Barak Obama because he’s a Democrat. I vote for Republicans because they lead the fight to lower taxes and promote a strong military. Being able to marry is WAY down the list of items of importance to me. At the top of the list is being able to keep more of my hard earned money.
It’s not self hating to demand respect for your own rights. You cannot change the Republicans hate agenda and you shouldn’t bother to try. It’s like shouting in a hurricane. Republicans promise things like little to no taxation which isn’t realistic. I don’t understand why anyone would surrender their God given rights for the promise of lower taxes. I think that is a perspective that is way out of proportion with what is actually right. I think it takes courage to stand up against people like the LCR and Republicans. It’s more than just having the right to marry its about being treated equally with straight people.