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Log Cabin Launches "Spirit Of Lincoln Resolution 2002"

Resolution with 20 Original National Signatories Aims to Continue Building an Inclusive GOP

August 9, 2001

(WASHINGTON, DC) – As the first step in a comprehensive campaign strategy for the 2002 elections, the nation's largest gay Republican organization launched the "Spirit of Lincoln Resolution 2002" to highlight wide support among leading Republicans for an inclusive GOP.

Following a day-long strategy session at the Log Cabin Republicans National Convention in Chicago last month, one of the top priorities set by the organization's grass-roots leadership was to continue building on strong ties between Log Cabin Republicans and the GOP at the local, state and national level, and to promote GOP outreach to gay and lesbian voters in local and state communities.

"An inclusive Republican Party is a winning party," said Rich Tafel, executive director of Log Cabin Republicans. "We come from many walks of life, but we share the common values reflected in the Spirit of Lincoln Resolution – individual rights, individual liberty, limited government, and an inclusive GOP."

The resolution was first adopted in 1996 by 20 original Republican signatories, including Governor George Pataki (R-NY), Senator Arlen Specter (R-PA), Former Senator Alan Simpson (R-WY), and current and former GOP Members of Congress. Log Cabin Republicans has set a goal of at least 100 total signatories among national Republican leaders in the 2002 effort.

"We support an inclusive Republican Party that encourages the participation of all Americans from all walks of life," reads the Spirit of Lincoln Resolution, in part. "In the spirit of Lincoln, we oppose any moves to exclude any Americans from the Republican Party for reasons including race, gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity or religious faith."

For the full text of the Spirit of Lincoln Resolution, and the list of the original GOP national signatories, go to the Log Cabin Republicans website at www.lcr.org