DC GOP Adopts Inclusive Platform
Becomes first state GOP delegation to adopt LGBT-inclusive language ahead of Republican National Convention
The D.C. Republican Committee, the District’s equivalent of a state party, has become the first Republican state party to endorse LGBT-inclusive language into its party platform ahead of the Republican National Convention, being held in Tampa, Fla., Aug. 27 to 30.
The part of the D.C. GOP platform dealing with ”Family and Marriage” now reads: ”We, the Republicans of the District of Columbia, support the belief that all individuals, without regard to sexual orientation, are entitled to full and equal protection under the laws and the Constitution and that everyone has the right to be treated with dignity and respect.”
Robert Turner II, president of the D.C. chapter of the Log Cabin Republicans and a newly elected member of the D.C. Republican Committee, announced the adoption of the platform language in a June 28 press release.
”We are excited to be a part of a state party who understands that inclusion wins!” Turner said in the release. ”Marriage equality is settled law here in the District. All citizens, including LGBT citizens, should be treated equally.”
Turner told Metro Weekly that he testified before the platform committee in June and offered LGBT-inclusive language. Although he didn’t get the exact wording he had hoped for, Turner said he was still happy with the outcome. The language Turner had proposed was more specific, referring to ”sexual orientation, including lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender.”
State platforms will be considered at the August convention when the full GOP party platform is drafted.
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