R. Clarke Cooper, Executive Director of the Log Cabin Republicans talks with Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™. LGBT Republicans are actively seeking political inclusion. In August, former Chairman of the Republican National Committee and campaign manager for Bush’s 2004 Presidency, Ken Mehlman declared his sexual orientation as gay. Clarke worked with the George W. Bush Administration for eight years and shares his insight of coming out within the GOP. When asked what he thought abo...
R. Clarke Cooper, Executive Director of the Log Cabin Republicans talks with Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™. LGBT Republicans are actively seeking political inclusion. In August, former Chairman of the Republican National Committee and campaign manager for Bush’s 2004 Presidency, Ken Mehlman declared his sexual orientation as gay. Clarke worked with the George W. Bush Administration for eight years and shares his insight of coming out within the GOP. When asked what he thought about Ken Mehlman coming out, Cooper stated, “For starters it’s a good thing when anyone comes out. I mean all of us, your listeners, myself, those who have gone through the coming out process know how important it is for our family, our friends, our peers, our neighbors to know who we are. The more people out, the better we can advance full civil rights for the entire LGBT community.”
When asked what his hopes are for our LGBT community in the Obama administration, Cooper stated, “Probably no different than most. I think the current government has been a victim of over promise and under deliver. President Obama is no friend to marriage equality. President Obama is on record against it. So there’s a challenge there. He’s been, I know, in the consulting process with Secretary Gates and Admiral Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff on advancing an appeal of “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell”. It’s been a lukewarm response from the White House…. plus, they’re fighting us in court. The Obama Justice Department is fighting to maintain the ban on gays and lesbians in the military in federal court.” Log Cabin Republicans have challenged the constitutionality of the military’s “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” policy in “Log Cabin Republicans vs. the United States Government” and are waiting for a decision from Federal Judge Virginia Phillips. R. Clarke Cooper is an Army Reserve officer and served in Iraq.
On September 22nd in Washington D.C. is the Log Cabin Republicans' National Dinner. Confirmed speakers include National Republican Senatorial Committee Chairman Senator John Cornyn (R-TX), National Republican Congressional Committee Chairman Representative Pete Sessions (R-TX), Representative Judy Biggert (R-IL), Representative Anh 'Joseph' Cao (R-LA), Representative Charles Djou (R-HI), Representative Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Grover Norquist, President of Americans for Tax Reform, Daily Caller Publisher Tucker Carlson and Nick Herbert MP, Minister of State for Justice/Police (UK).
For More Info & Tickets: www.logcabin.org
Hear 90+ LGBT Leaders Interviews @OUTTAKE VOICES™
