Log Cabin
Insulted by Howard Dean's Remarks

Democratic National Committee chair Howard Dean came under attack for speaking out against conservative gays and lesbians as well as Republicans of color.

"They can't become more diverse," Dean said at a speech at the University of Wisconsin-Madison on Tuesday. "Who in their right mind, if they were African-American or Hispanic or Asian-American, if they were gay or lesbian, would join the Republican Party?"

LGBT conservative group, Log Cabin Republicans issued a statement Wednesday against Dean's comments. The group's president, Patrick Sammon, said in the statement that Dean's assertions are insulting to African-Americans, Hispanics, Asian-Americans, or gays and lesbians who support the Republican Party. Sammon also called for Democratic presidential candidates Hillary Clinton's and Barack Obama's stances on Dean's words.

"Governor Dean needs to explain his callous assertion," said Sammon. "It's unfortunate that the chairman of the Democratic Party would rather divide people than engage in a thoughtful debate about policy ideas or a vision for our country's future."

Dean is currently involved in a lawsuit by the party's former LGBT outreach director Donald Hitchcock. The suit claims that party officials discriminated against him and his partner Democratic activist Paul Yandura, who criticized the DNC for not being proactive on LGBT issues. (The Advocate)