Americablog flags an interview with new ACU President Al Cardenas, who says that groups requesting “participant” status in the annual conservative conference – a status that means sponsorship and a role in event planning – will be “vetted.” What this means for pro-gay groups:
If you are a group – and this has got nothing to do with your orientation – if you are a group of straight couples, and you advocate gay marriage, that’s not within the scope of what we believe the three legs of the stool of the movement are. So it’s got nothing to do with your orientation. It’s got to do with the principles you advocate. There are a number of gays in America who don’t advocate gays in the military or gay marriage. They’ll fit within the tent.
That would mean no participating status for GOProud, which advocated for the repeal of DADT*. It would not bar people with these positions from taking the stage, which is good, because doing otherwise would bar Dick Cheney, Pat Toomey, and Ron Paul.
UPDATE: GOProud Chairman Chris Barron argues that none of this would prevent his organization from having a strong role in CPAC again, because DADT is already gone.
“If it’s a question of policy, based on our 2011 Legislative Agenda there shouldn’t be a question,” he said. “Should be a slam dunk that GOProud is back next year.”
*I originally said GOProud also advocated for same-sex marriage; its
official position
is that marriage is up to the states.
