News

Log Cabin Convention Opens this Week in Chicago

Political Strategy for 2002 Campaign is Top Focus of Gay Republican Organization

July 16, 2001

(WASHINGTON, DC) – The nation's leading gay Republican organization will meet for its 12th annual national convention this weekend in Chicago, and strategizing for next year's crucial mid-term election campaign will top the agenda.

"We look forward to celebrating our recent gains in keeping the GOP true to being the Party of Lincoln," said Rich Tafel, executive director of Log Cabin Republicans. "We will dedicate most of our convention work to building our strategic plan for the 2002 election cycle. There will also be time to discuss key issues facing our community and the GOP, and exploring new avenues to achieve Log Cabin's goals."

Over 150 state and local Log Cabin Republicans leaders and activists will gather beginning Friday, July 20, to review the successes of Log Cabin Republicans' "Strategy 2000" campaign, which focused on electing an inclusive Republican President of the United States. With the election of President George W. Bush, the continued GOP majority in the U.S. House, and greater outreach by the GOP to gay and lesbian Republicans, the convention will begin work on Log Cabin Republicans' "Strategy 2002" campaign in a closed-door session.

Log Cabin Republicans will also hold a Black Tie Celebration dinner entitled "The Party of Lincoln" on Saturday, July 21, at Chicago Symphony Hall. The event will celebrate gay GOP advances, and focus on the organization's effort to build and inclusive Republican Party. Keynoting the event will be Michael Zak, author of the book "Back to Basics for the Republican Party," which lays out a vision for a revitalized GOP based on its solid heritage as a party of individual rights. At the black tie dinner, Log Cabin Republicans will award its highest honor – the Spirit of Lincoln Award – to two Republican officials in Illinois state government: Glenn Good, Assistant Director of the State Central Management Services Department and the highest-ranking openly gay appointee by Governor George Ryan (R-IL); and State Rep. Rosemary Mulligan (R), an outspoken advocate for the gay community in the state House of Representatives.