May 27-June 2, 2004

political notebook

by Mary F. Patel

A Rip in the Big Tent

With President George Bush making noise about his proposed amendment to the Constitution defining marriage as between a man and a woman, the local chapter of Log Cabin Republicans convened at the Union League for their 14th annual Abe Awards.

This year's recipients were former Gov. Mark Schweiker and Log Cabin member David Traupman. The Abe Award is given to Republicans who help advance gay and lesbian equality within the GOP.

The May 18 event was primarily attended by gay Republican men who were talking about last month's National Log Cabin Convention in Palm Springs, Calif., where the topic du jour was Bush's antipathy toward gay marriage.

Traupman, who attended the National Log Cabin Convention, said members of the organization realize they face an important decision: Which comes first in their lives -- being gay or being Republican?

"We decided our lives were more important to us than our party," he explained. Traupman's partner, Jesse Walters, will attend the Republican National Convention in New York City as an openly gay delegate.

So, just how do Log Cabin members plan to address the president's views on gay marriage this summer? "Our options," offered Michael Stara, Log Cabin state chair, "are either to support the president or do nothing."

During the GOP national convention held here in 2000, gay issues were not on the forefront, but that's exactly where they were four years earlier when Republican presidential nominee Bob Dole returned a $1,000 contribution to the national chapter of Log Cabin.

Traupman said Log Cabin members will make a decision about supporting Bush either during or after the GOP convention. However, gay Republicans attending the event are expected to be wooed that week.

One big event scheduled is a private party hosted by the National Log Cabin in Bryant Park. Confirmed to attend are California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, New York Gov. George Pataki, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani.

"This party is [being held] to show that there are moderate Republicans," said Traupman.

Schwarzenegger did not attend the Log Cabin Convention in Palm Springs, but sent a statement through a representative that explained that he is supportive of gays and lesbians. Still, he has not stated any position on same-sex marriage. Pataki, Bloomberg and Giuliani have also said they are supportive of the community.

Also attending the Union League event was Christopher Barron, the national Log Cabin's political director from Washington, who rallied the troops. Philadelphia Log Cabin head John Partain presented Schweiker with the Abe Award, a glass prism with an etched portrait of the first Republican, Abraham Lincoln.

Schweiker was honored for his support of a hate-crimes measure, which passed in the House while Schweiker was governor.

On Dec. 3, 2002 Schweiker signed an amendment to the state's Ethnic Intimidation Act expanding the law to include actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender identity, gender, mental and physical disability, and ancestry. Schweiker was lieutenant governor when Republican Gov. Tom Ridge went to Washington to become the homeland security director in 2001. Schweiker, who took the job upon Ridge's appointment, did not seek re-election after completing the term. He left government to become the president and CEO of the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce, which, he says, plans on trying to attract gay and lesbian tourists to the city and making Philadelphia a gay-friendly tourist destination.

Traupman , a former Log Cabin board member, received his award for his long-time dedication to Log Cabin. "One day I hope to be married in the United States," said Traupman, " and one day we won't have to talk about this."

The Lavender Herring

Same-sex marriage was the topic of a panel discussion last Friday at the National Constitution Center, where six well-known panelists presented their views on whether a federal marriage amendment was needed.

The forum was free and open to the public, and was moderated by Constitution Center President and CEO Richard Stengel.

On stage left, but representing the right, were Judge Robert Bork, an author of one proposed Federal Marriage Amendment; Bob Barr, former congressman known as B-1 Bob and author of the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act; and Matthew Spalding, director of the Heritage Foundation.

On stage right, representing the left, Andrew Sullivan, writer and former editor of the The New Republic magazine; William Eskridge, Yale professor; and Georgia state House member Karla Drenner.

Bork predicted that the U.S. Supreme Court would rule that same-sex marriage cannot be barred by any state, and that's why he felt an amendment is needed. Spalding predicted that straight couples would stop getting married and that would harm children.

"Boston has not fallen into the sea," said Drenner, a lesbian mother of two.

Sullivan said, "I should be able to fall in love and have the same rights as heterosexual couples, whom, by the way, I love, because without them there would be no gay people."