Log Cabin Republicans: Texas GOP 'hates gay people,' is catering to 'homophobic fringe'

FORT WORTH, Texas, May 29 (UPI) -- The Republican party of Texas will not allow officials from Log Cabin Texas, a pro-LGBT conservative group, to be represented at the party's state convention next week.

Citing the official platform of the Republican party, the Texas GOP will enforce exclusion of the Log Cabin Republicans on the grounds that "the practice of homosexuality tears at the fabric of society and contributes to the breakdown of the family unit."

Both Log Cabin Texas and the national Log Cabin Republicans have condemned Texas' arm of their party, saying its leadership is operating under antiquated ideals

"The party has denied our several attempts to host a booth in the convention exhibit hall, citing archaic language in the party platform to support their actions, said Log Cabin Republicans of Texas Chairman Jeffrey Davis. "We deserve to occupy a booth just like anyone else, and it's time that the Texas GOP's hypocritical policies and procedures are replaced by new ones that match the general opinion of Texan Republican voters."

Gregory T. Angelo, national executive director of the Log Cabin Republicans, had harsh words for the anti-gay wing of the Texas state party, saying, "It's simply unconscionable that more than a dozen years since Log Cabin Republicans took the fight for gay equality against the homophobic fringe of the Party, the Texas State GOP still doesn't get it."

"Make no mistake: This isn't about disagreements we may have on civil marriage; this isn't about the party platform -- this is about an anti-gay wing of the party that hates gay people so much they can't even stand to see us acknowledged as a necessary part of a winning Republican coalition."

The group declined an invitation to the Democrats' state convention, stating, "We're loyal Republicans."