February 23, 2015

Log Cabin Republicans Response to CPAC Invitation

Washington, D.C. — Following two days of productive discussions with leadership of the American Conservative Union (ACU), Log Cabin Republicans has been given an invitation to speak at this year’s Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) as part of the panel “Putin’s Russia: A New Cold War?” In response, Log Cabin Republicans National Executive Director Gregory T. Angelo issued the following statement:

It will be an honor to represent Log Cabin Republicans at CPAC 2015 as part of the panel “Putin’s Russia: A New Cold War?” with Seth Cropsey, Carly Fiorina, Cliff May, and Amanda Brickell Bellows.
 
There has been a great deal of confusion over the last 48 hours regarding the Log Cabin Republicans role in CPAC 2015. After some very fruitful conversations with the leadership of The American Conservative Union, we would like to express regret if anyone associated with The American Conservative Union felt unfairly maligned. That was never our intention.
 
For years, all we have wanted is for Log Cabin Republicans to be able to provide a meaningful contribution to CPAC, be it as sponsors, speakers, or panelists. Now is not the time to make the perfect the enemy of the good. Log Cabin Republicans will continue working toward full sponsorship of future CPACs. In the meantime, I look forward to bringing the gay conservative perspective to CPAC 2015 on behalf of Log Cabin Republicans, as well as the message that when conservatives focus on unity rather than division, we win.

The panel “Putin’s Russia: A New Cold War?” will take place at CPAC 2015 at 12pm Saturday, February 28.

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Media Contact: Ross Hemminger

A Statement from the American Conservative Union 2.22.2015

All conservatives, including conservatives who are gay, are welcome at CPAC. Thoughtful consideration has been made to showcase all voices in the conservative movement, including those from the gay community who will be speaking on the main stage, in breakout panels, during training, and on our staff.

We are pleased to announce that Gregory T. Angelo, Executive Director of the Log Cabin Republicans, will be providing valuable insight at CPAC on the panel, “Putin’s Russia.” It is important to educate the CPAC attendees about Vladimir Putin’s threatening actions toward Europe as well as his tragic human rights record. We have had a number of very fruitful conversations with Log Cabin Republicans leadership, and are looking forward to having them in attendance and participating in this panel discussion.

We understand that there was some confusion and miscommunication over the past few months, and we look forward to working with the Log Cabin Republicans after CPAC to determine areas where our two organizations can work together.

Under the leadership of Chairman Matt Schlapp, The American Conservative Union has been working towards including all conservatives as a part of CPAC, and making CPAC a place of discussion about the future of our movement. While there are certainly areas of disagreement between our organizations, we can agree that after two disastrous terms of President Obama, we need to come together now more than ever to elect a conservative president in 2016.