WASHINGTON, Sept. 8 (UPI) -- The nation's largest gay Republican organization says it will not endorse President Bush for re-election, citing the White House opposition to gay issues.
"Certain moments in history require that a belief in fairness and equality not be sacrificed in the name of partisan politics," Log Cabin Republicans Chairman William Brownson said in a news release. "This is one of those moments."
The group's board of directors voted 22-2 Wednesday to withhold its endorsement of Bush, marking the first time the group has not backed a Republican presidential nominee since it opened its office in Washington, D.C. in 1993.
More than 1 million gays and lesbians voted for Bush in the 2000 election, including more than 50,000 in Florida, the group said, citing exit polls.
"It is impossible to overstate the depth of anger and disappointment caused by the President's support for an anti-family Constitutional Amendment," said Log Cabin Political Director Chris Barron. "This amendment would not only ban gay marriage, it would also jeopardize civil unions and domestic partnerships."
