Brody's Notes... LGBT Activists: Proposed GOP Platform Dramatically Out-of-Step with Mainstream American Values

By Brody Levesque | WASHINGTON -- Early reports Monday that the Republican National Party platform might contain language that would soften the party's view on LGBT equality rights was dashed late in the day as documents showed that the party leadership had asked virulently ant-gay Family Research Council President Tony Perkins to assist in drafting language pertaining to same-sex marriage and other issues.

The language, included below, authored by FRC's Perkins directly and forcefully contradicts the assertions of the Log Cabin Republican group earlier Monday that the GOP Platform will contain an olive branch for LGBT Americans.

“The GOP’s proposed platform is blatantly out-of-step with not only the majority of our nation, but even with the rank and file of the Republican Party itself,” said Human Rights Campaign President Chad Griffin. “The party is poised to send a devastating message to LGBT youth – that they and the families they aspire to one day build are not worthy of the same protections as everyone else.” 

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“This platform language certainly doesn't represent the whole of the GOP, which is continuing to add equality supporters to its ranks,” added Griffin. “As Americans and young Republicans increasingly embrace equality, politicians seeking to harm our community will not even be considered serious contenders at the national level.”

National Stonewall Democrats Executive Director, Jerame Davis, reacted saying:

"The GOP hasn't changed a bit. What has changed is the weak-kneed apologists at Log Cabin Republicans who used to have a conscience and who used to stand on principle by calling out the bigots in their Party. 

"Read the draft language and tell me the GOP is moderating on LGBT issues. Coming on the heels of Log Cabin Republicans' wistful proclamations of a more inclusive Republican Party platform, are they now going to try to convince us that this language is really a good thing because it's the longest passage ever about LGBT issues in a Republican Platform? Or is there some sort of secret pro-gay code hidden in those bigoted words that only true believers can suss out? 

"The Republican establishment is not mincing words - they wanted everyone to know they're still the party for homophobes and hate mongers. By allowing Tony Perkins, the leader of a designated anti-gay hate group, to draft this heinous language, the GOP has sent a clear message to gay Republicans that their hope of a pro-equality Republican Party is nothing more than a pipe dream."

The Republican Party's Draft Platform Language Opposing the Freedom to Marry

Marriage and the Judiciary

A serious threat to our country's constitutional order, perhaps even more dangerous that presidential malfeasance, is an activist judiciary, in which some judges usurp the powers reserved to the other branches of government. A blatant example has been the court-ordered redefinition of marriage in several States. This is more than a matter of warring legal concepts and ideals. It is an assault on the foundations of our society, challenging the institution which, for thousand of years in virtually every civilization, has been entrusted with the rearing of children and the transmission of cultural values.

Defense of Marriage

That is why congressional Republicans took the lead in enacting the Defense of Marriage Act, affirming the rights of States and the federal government not to recognize same-sex relationships licensed in other jurisdictions. An activist judiciary usurps the power reserved to other branches of government and endangers the foundation of our country. We oppose the Administration's open defiance of this constitutional principle - in its handling of immigration cases, in federal personnel benefits, in allowing a same-sex marriage at a military base, and in refusing to defend DOMA in the courts - makes a mockery of the President's inaugural oath. We commend the United States House of Representatives and those State Attorneys General who have defended these laws when they have been attacked in the courts. We reaffirm our support for a constitutional amendment defining marriage as the union of one man and one woman. We applaud the citizens of the majority of States which have enshrined in their constitutions the traditional concept of marriage, and we support the campaigns underway in several other states to do so.

In a report by Buzzfeed before noon Monday, Log Cabin Republicans executive director R. Clarke Cooper said that a subcommittee of the Republican National Committee's platform-drafting committee had passed language stating: "We embrace the principle that all Americans have the right to be treated with dignity and respect."

The move was "still early in process," Cooper said adding that although the language did not specifically address sexual orientation or gender identity, inclusion of such language would be a positive nod in the direction of LGBT people and LGBT rights groups.

National Stonewall Democrats Executive Director, Jerame Davis, responded to Cooper's statements to Buzzfeed saying:

"The real message to read in this is that the GOP's cognitive dissonance continues unabated and the apologists at Log Cabin Republicans are still selling snake oil and calling it progress."