Jimmy LaSalvia, who in 2009 helped
create gay GOP group GOProud, has renounced his Republican
credentials.
“Today, I joined the ranks of the
unaffiliated voter,” LaSalvia
wrote on his personal blog. “I am every bit as conservative as
I've always been, but I just can't bring myself to carry the
Republican label any longer. You see, I just don't agree with the
big-government 'conservatives' who run the party now.”
LaSalvia cited the Republican Party's
“tolerance of bigotry” in announcing his departure.
“The current leadership lacks the
courage to stand up to it,” he wrote. “I'm not sure they ever
will.”
“I feel a huge sense of freedom,”
he added. “I am an independent conservative. (That sounds much
better than 'gay Republican.')”
After splintering off from Log Cabin
Republicans, GOProud made headlines in 2010 with its co-sponsorship
of CPAC, a three-day convention of conservatives held annually in
February. Opposition to the group's participation led to its
exclusion at CPAC 2012.