Log Cabin slams Jim DeMint for anti-gay comments

S.C. senator calls gays 'destructive,' cringes at thought of gay president

by Matt Comer  Editor  editor@goqnotes.com
Published: December 15, 2009 in News

jim-demint

Jim DeMint

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Log Cabin Republicans, a national organization for LGBT conservatives affiliated with the GOP, criticized South Carolina U.S. Sen. Jim DeMint today over anti-gay comments he made in an interview with Bloomberg News columnist Albert R. Hunt.

The increasingly outspoken and high profile Republican told Hunt he was opposed to marriage for same-sex couples and “cringed” at the thought of a gay or lesbian president.

“Marriage is a religious institution. The federal government has no business redefining what it is,” DeMint told Hunt. “Governments should not be in the business of promoting a behavior that’s proven to be destructive to our society.”

On the thought of a gay or lesbian president, DeMint said: “It would be bothersome to me just personally because I consider it immoral.”

Log Cabin Republicans said DeMint’s comments put a 2010 GOP comeback in question.

“Senator DeMint’s beliefs betray an un-conservative ideology that throws principle out the window when it becomes inconvenient,” Log Cabin Republicans National Spokesperson Charles T. Moran said in a release. “The primacy of state’s rights is the bedrock of our nation’s Constitution. The Senator betrays the trust of the American people when speaking and acting like a bully instead of a statesman. Senator DeMint’s continued antics put in jeopardy the GOP resurgence in 2010. This is the time for Republicans to unite and hold Democrats accountable for failed economic progress and out-of-control spending, and not waste time on divisive social issues.”

Log Cabin Republicans National Board Chairman Terry W. Hamilton said DeMint is not representative of most Republicans.

“It is disturbing to see such divisive and hateful words coming from a United States Senator, who is also a respected leader of the ‘Tea Party’ movement. In a state that has made great strides in overcoming discrimination, Senator DeMint’s comments reveal a belief that is anti-conservative and anti-Republican,” Hamilton said. “Senator DeMint is clearly out of the mainstream of GOP and American thinking. Good Americans and good Republicans don’t support discrimination of Senator DeMint’s brand – period.”