Gay Republicans
to honor Schwarzenegger

The gay political group Log Cabin Republicans-California has announced an event to honor California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, just months after the governor summarily vetoed a bill passed by the legislature that would have brought marriage equality to the state.

"With the exception of not signing gay marriage last year (problem--yet, neither did Bill Clinton or [previous California governor] Gray Davis), [Schwarzenegger] has essentially signed all other GLBT-related bills," said a promotional e-mail from organizer Pat Adams. Adams failed to mention that neither Clinton nor Davis ever vetoed a marriage equality bill either, since no marriage equality bill was presented to them by their legislatures. Adams continued, "We are hopeful that he will soon."

Fittingly, the June 29 event will take place in Hollywood, at the Renaissance Hollywood Hotel. Ticket prices start at $250, with a minimum of $5,000 required for a "photo opportunity with the governor." AIDS Project Los Angeles and Equality California, the nonpartisan state gay rights group that battled with Schwarzenegger over the marriage bill, are listed as "hosts."

Among the "honorary host committee" is Duf Sundheim, chairman of the California Republican Party, which states in its platform that "homosexuality should not be presented as an acceptable 'alternative' lifestyle in public education and policy. We oppose granting to homosexuals special privileges, including marriage, domestic-partnership benefits, and child custody or adoption."

Adams, who wrote that he is "neither Republican nor Democrat," concluded his e-mail by saying, "This should be a very significant night for all of us and fun too!" (The Advocate)