The District of Columbia Republican
Committee has approved a gay-inclusive platform, becoming the first
GOP state party to officially back gay rights.
The platform, approved Thursday,
includes the following language: “We, the Republicans of the
District of Columbia support the belief that all individuals, without
regard to sexual orientation, are entitled to full equal protection
under the laws and the Constitution and that everyone has the right
to be treated with dignity and respect.”
The DCRC's Platform Committee proposed
the gay-inclusive plank.
“I was delighted that the Platform
Committee included this inclusive language on equality,” Robert
Kabel, chair of the D.C. Republican Committee, told gay weekly The
Washington Blade.
“We are excited to be a part of a
state party who understands that inclusion wins,” said Robert
Turner III, president of the local chapter of the Log Cabin
Republicans. “Marriage equality is settled law here in the
District. All citizens, including LGBT citizens, should be treated
equally.”
Other GOP state parties this year have
spoken out on gay rights, including Indiana Republicans, who softened
their stance against gay marriage, and Texas Republicans, who
approved a
platform opposed to gay rights.
(Related: Majority
of Republicans support gay unions.)