The Republican National Committee announced its first “RNC Pride Coalition” this past weekend in a partnership with the Log Cabin Republicans to garner support in advance of the 2022 midterm elections.
The partnership was announced during the Log Cabin Republicans’ “Spirit of Lincoln Gala” at Mar-a-Lago in Florida. According to Fox News, RNC Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel said she was “committed” to working with the group as a “partner” in the fight to save the “country’s future.”
“Conservatives in Log Cabin don’t just share our vision for a free, secure and prosperous America — they enrich it by adding unique perspectives to our party and recruiting even more diverse candidates and supporters to join our cause,” McDaniel said.
“The RNC is launching our first-ever RNC Pride Coalition,” she added, noting that RNC Pride will “work alongside our other coalition groups to invest in communities and mobilize support for the upcoming midterms.”
Charles Moran, the president of Log Cabin Republicans, said the group participated in the New Jersey and Virginia governor’s races that took place last week and intends to “play an even bigger role on the ground in the midterm elections next year helping Republicans win back the House and Senate.”
“When LGBT conservatives are included in Republican campaigns, we win,” Moran told Fox News.
The Log Cabin Republicans define the group on its website:
Log Cabin Republicans is the nation’s largest Republican organization dedicated to representing LGBT conservatives and allies. For more than 40 years, we have promoted the fight for equality through our state and local chapters, our full-time office in Washington, DC, and our federal and state political action committees.
Democrats have criticized McDaniel for showing support to the LGBT members of the Republican Party in the past, Democrats including Chasten Buttigieg, husband to Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.
In June, McDaniel tweeted, “Happy #PrideMonth! @GOP is proud to have doubled our LGBTQ support over the last 4 years, and we will continue to grow our big tent by supporting measures that promote fairness and balance protections for LGBTQ Americans and those with deeply held religious beliefs.”
Happy #PrideMonth!@GOP is proud to have doubled our LGBTQ support over the last 4 years, and we will continue to grow our big tent by supporting measures that promote fairness and balance protections for LGBTQ Americans and those with deeply held religious beliefs.
— Ronna McDaniel (@GOPChairwoman) June 2, 2021
Chasten Buttigieg responded to McDaniel’s tweet, saying, “Those with ‘deeply held religious beliefs’ are often the parents who force their LGBTQ children out of the home and onto the street. I’ve met with those kids. 40% of homeless youth in this country are LGBTQ. Re-visit your party’s platform before you open your mouth about #pride.”
Those with "deeply held religious beliefs" are often the parents who force their LGBTQ children out of the home and onto the street. I've met with those kids. 40% of homeless youth in this country are LGBTQ. Re-visit your party's platform before you open your mouth about #pride. https://t.co/z36BuFrQsO
— Chasten Buttigieg (@Chasten) June 3, 2021
Chasten Buttigieg then appeared on CNN and discussed his criticism of McDaniel, stating that the issue is not religion, but saying “her language is divisive and it’s dangerous and it’s making space for people in their party who seek to harm LGBTQ Americans.”
He added, “It’s making space for people like Ron DeSantis, who used the first day of Pride to sign anti-trans legislation. … I do not believe that is the party of inclusion or acceptance for LGBTQ Americans.”
He also said, “… it hurts deeply when I know that she is purposefully hurting millions of vulnerable kids in this country.”
An RNC spokesperson said at the time, “Republicans believe in freedom and opportunity for all Americans,” adding, “While Democrats are focused on demonizing half the country, we are fighting to show that there is room in our party for everyone.”