GOProud.org

February 8, 2010

GOProud represents gay conservatives and their allies. GOProud is committed to a traditional conservative agenda that emphasizes limited government, individual liberty, free markets and a confident foreign policy. GOProud promotes our traditional conservative agenda by influencing politics and policy at the federal level. Click here to read about GOProud.org

February 4, 2010

GOProud Praises Bipartisan Senate Resolution Condemning Proposed Anti-gay Uganda Law

(Washington, D.C.) - Today, a bipartisan resolution condemning a proposed anti-gay law in Uganda was introduced by Senator Tom Coburn, M.D. (R-OK), Senator Susan Collins (R-ME), Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD) and Senator Russ Feingold (D-WI). "We want to thank Senators Coburn and Collins for their leadership on this critical human rights issue," said Jimmy LaSalvia, Executive Director of GOProud - the only national organization for gay conservatives and their allies. "We were thrilled to have had the opportunity to work with Dr. Coburn back in December when he forcefully spoke out against the proposed Ugandan law, and we are pleased that he continues to lead on this issue."

Over the last few months Ugandan political leaders have been debating legislation that would impose criminal penalties on gays and lesbians living in Uganda. Certain proposed versions of the bill have even called for the death penalty or life imprisonment for being gay. 

In December, GOProud criticized President Obama's initial silence regarding this legislation. At that time, Senator Coburn joined GOProud in forcefully condemning the legislation:

U.S. Senator Tom Coburn, M.D. (R-OK), one of the leading conservatives in the Senate, said, "Over the past two decades, political, religious, and community leaders in Uganda have united to promote a rare, winning strategy against HIV that addresses the unique and common risks of every segment of society. Sadly, some who oppose Uganda's common sense ABC strategy are using an absurd proposal to execute gays to undermine this coalition and winning strategy. Officials in Uganda should come to their senses and take whatever steps are necessary to withdraw this proposal that will do nothing but harm a winning strategy that is saving lives."- December 10, 2010

The Coburn-Collins-Cardin-Feingold resolution, "1) calls on members of the Parliament in Uganda to reject the ‘Anti-Homosexuality Bill' recently proposed in that country; 2) urges the governments of all countries to reject and repeal similar criminalization laws; and 3) encourages the Secretary of State to closely monitor human rights abuses that occur because of sexual orientation and to encourage the repeal or reform of laws such as the proposed ‘Anti-Homosexuality Bill' in Uganda that permit such abuses."

"We urge the entire Senate to join with Senators Coburn, Collins, Cardin and Feingold in supporting this resolution," concluded LaSalvia.

February 2, 2010

For ‘Don't Ask, Don't Tell' Repeal - It's Ground Hog Day

Jimmy LaSalvia, Executive Director - "Today, we are going to get more of what we have, unfortunately, come to expect from the Obama administration when it comes to Don't Ask, Don't Tell repeal - lots of talk and little action."
 
(Washington, D.C.) - Today, Secretary of Defense Robert Gates and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Michael Mullen will testify in front of the Senate Armed Services Committee regarding the military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy. "It's going to be Ground Hog Day on Capitol Hill," said Jimmy LaSalvia, Executive Director of GOProud - the only national organization for gay conservatives and their allies. "Today, we are going to get more of what we have, unfortunately, come to expect from the Obama administration when it comes to ‘Don't Ask, Don't Tell' repeal - lots of talk and little action."

According to press reports, Secretary Gates and Chairman Mullen will offer nothing new, but will tout a decrease in discharges under "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." "Decreases in ‘Don't Ask, Don't Tell' started under the Bush administration," continued LaSalvia. "Apparently the irony is lost on this administration. After a year of blaming President Bush for everything, these same folks are now going to try to take credit for decreases in discharges that began eight years ago on George W. Bush's watch - it's almost laughable."

In addition to touting a decrease in discharges under the discriminatory policy, Secretary Gates and Chairman Mullen are expected to announce the creation of a group that will assess how to carry out full-repeal, if and when repeal happens. "Talk about a political slight of hand. Instead, of telling us how he will repeal the discriminatory ‘Don't Ask, Don't Tell' policy, President Obama and his administration is putting together a group to study how to implement a policy the President hasn't lifted a finger to pass," said LaSalvia. "What has this administration done to repeal ‘Don't Ask, Don't Tell?' They haven't even even bothered to issue a statement of administration policy in support of the repeal legislation pending in Congress they claim to support."

"It is time for this administration to walk the walk, not just talk the talk, on ‘Don't Ask, Don't Tell' repeal," concluded LaSalvia.

January 20, 2010

GOProud Congratulates Senator Elect Scott Brown (R-MA)

Statement of Jimmy LaSalvia, Executive Director
 
(Washington, D.C.) - "Last night was a great night for all Americans - including gay and lesbian Americans. Scott Brown's decisive victory in the bluest of blue states, is proof that Americans are deeply unhappy with the direction of this White House and this Democratic Congress.

"Scott Brown represents the kind of common-sense conservative who will fight against the expansion of discriminatory government-run healthcare, who will defend our individual rights, and who is committed to stopping the spread of radical anti-gay Islam.

GOProud looks forward to working with Senator-elect Brown to implement conservative policies that will improve the every day lives of gay Americans and our families."

January 12, 2010

Gay Left Unfairly Smears Republican Senate Candidate Scott Brown as "Anti-gay"
 
(Washington, D.C.) - Next Tuesday, voters in Massachusetts will go to the polls for a special election to replace U.S. Senator Ted Kennedy (D). Recent polling shows Republican State Senator Scott Brown in a virtual tie with Democrat Martha Coakley.

"As the polls get closer and closer, Democrats and their allies on the left get more and more desperate. Democrats are unable to defend their record on taxes, spending, the economy, job creation, healthcare or the global war on terror, so instead they turn to smears, distortions and name-calling," said Jimmy LaSalvia, Executive Director of GOProud. "In the last few weeks the gay left has slandered Scott Brown, claiming that he is ‘anti-gay.' The truth is that Scott Brown has said that same-sex marriage is settled law in Massachusetts. Scott Brown has also said they he believes each state should decide its marriage laws - the exact same position taken by President Barack Obama."

"What has 60 Democratic Senators delivered for gay families so far? Unemployment over 10%, spending spiraling out of control, a super majority bent on expanding discriminatory government-run healthcare, and an administration unwilling to confront the spread of radical anti-gay Islam. Nothing would send a clearer message to the current leadership in Washington about the unhappiness that all Americans, including gay and lesbian Americans, have with the direction in Washington then a win by Scott Brown."

December 14, 2009

GOProud Urges Senate Committee to Pass the Domestic Partnership Benefits and Obligations bill

Jimmy LaSalvia, Executive Director - "We thank Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) for her leadership on this issue and urge her colleagues in committee to join her in passing this common sense legislation."

(Washington, D.C.) - This Wednesday, the Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee will vote on the Domestic Partnership Benefits and Obligations (DPBO) bill. "We thank Senator Susan Collins for her leadership on this issue and urge her colleagues in committee to join her in passing this common sense legislation," said Jimmy LaSalvia, Executive Director of GOProud. "The DPBO bill will not only provide equality of opportunity for gay employees, it will also allow the federal government to hire and retain the best and brightest possible workforce."

Senator Joe Lieberman (I-CT) and Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) are the leads in Senate, while Rep. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL) are the leads on the House version of the bill.

Senator Collins said: "Fair policy and good business -- those twin sentiments aptly describe the Domestic Partnership Benefits and Obligations Act of 2009. By extending employment benefits to domestic partners of federal employees in committed relationships, this bill would allow the federal government to compete with the private sector in attracting and retaining the most qualified, skilled, and dedicated employees. Today, health, medical, and other benefits are a major component of any competitive employment package. According to the Office of Personnel Management, nearly 60 percent of Fortune 500 companies, including some of our top federal contractors, already extend employment benefits to domestic partners. Without this change to the law, the federal government will be at a disadvantage when it comes to employee recruitment and retention."

"Passage of the DPBO bill would make retirement benefits, healthcare benefits and life insurance benefits available to domestic partners," continued LaSalvia. "As conservatives, we believe that the federal government should take its cues from the successful practices of private enterprise. With more than half of Fortune 500 companies offering domestic partner benefits, it is clear that the time has come for the federal government to do the same."