As Oregon Republicans March Into the Future, North Carolina Retreats to the Politics of the Past

Log Cabin Republicans statement on the divergent actions in the states as Oregon's Republican Party strips antigay rhetoric from its platform while North Carolina legislators elect to send a constitutional amendment banning recognition of same-sex couples to the voters.

"The Republican Party is at a crossroads, and the contrast could not be greater than what we have seen today. The Oregon Republican Party chose to march into the future with an inclusive platform while North Carolina is retreating into the politics of the past," said R. Clarke Cooper, Log Cabin Republicans Executive Director. "Winning in politics is about addition, and Republicans need to bring in additional members to our party instead of losing them to an 'Independent' registration status. The polls on support for gay and lesbian equality are clear; a party which does not respect the freedom and dignity of all Americans will alienate the moderate, independent and younger voters we need to succeed. The 2010 midterm focus on fiscal discipline, debt reduction and economic growth helped Republicans gain majorities in states and the U.S. House of Representatives. Hopefully the updated Oregon Republican Party platform will serve as positive example to other state committees as well as delegates to the RNC convention in 2012. Meanwhile, the ugly and divisive vote in North Carolina serves as a sad reminder that there is much work left to be done."