The Log Cabin Republicans, the largest organisation for gay men and lesbians in the party, has announced that it would not endorse George W. Bush for re-election. The move marks the first time the organisation has refused to endorse a Republican nominee since it was formed in 1993.
In a meeting on Tuesday night in Washington, the board voted 22-2 against endorsing President George Bush for re-election because of his support for a proposed constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage, reported The New York Times.
The group had however endorsed Bush in 2000 against Democrat Al Gore. In 1996, it endorsed Republican Bob Dole against Democrat Bill Clinton.
Last month, the group supported statements by Vice President Dick Cheney, who has a lesbian daughter, that an amendment banning same-sex marriages is unnecessary but accepted Bush's decision to pursue a ban as administration policy
In February this year, Log Cabin criticised Bush for supporting the amendment. "Writing discrimination into our Constitution violates conservative and Republican principles," Executive Director Patrick Guerriero said at the time. "This amendment would not strengthen marriage - it would weaken our nation."
The group has also criticised John Kerry, the Democratic presidential nominee, for statements that he opposes same-sex marriages but also opposes amending the Constitution to ban it.
Log Cabin, however, supports Republican positions on what it has called "issues that bring us together: lower taxes, strong national defense, personal responsibility and a commitment to individual liberty" and also "proudly support(s) the President's firm leadership in the war on terror," said Guerriero.
About 1 million gay men and lesbians voted for Bush in 2000, Log Cabin revealed.
The group said that they would stay out of the presidential election altogether and devote its financial and political resources to elect fair-minded Republican allies to local, state and federal offices.