Being Log Cabin Republican hard in Utah

Gordon Storrs is a lifelong Republican, but he admits it's not easy to align his party loyalty with the dignity he feels about being gay.

He was among about 200 people who watched from the Utah House of Representatives gallery earlier this year as a Republican-backed proposal to ban same-sex marriage in the state's constitution passed, moving on to voters.

It was Rep. Jackie Biskupski, D-Salt Lake, who recognized those who had lobbied against the amendment. Storrs noticed that some Republicans did not join the Democrats in a standing ovation.

"At that instant, I've been a lifelong Republican, I wanted to leave the party," Storrs said. "They did not even give the dignity of applauding those who spent so much time and energy, as if we're not worthy. . . ."

Even though Storrs, president of the Utah Chapter of Log Cabin Republicans, sees the so-called Amendment 3 as discriminatory, he's firm in the party's core values. The cornerstone is dignity for all people, Storrs said, along with fiscally conservative policy and preservation of individual freedoms.

"The thought that there would be a constitutional amendment, mostly sponsored by our party, that builds discrimination into the state constitution is hard to handle," he said. "It seems as if the party needs some lessons in worth and dignity."

Log Cabin Republicans, comprised of gays, lesbians and their allies, are working to defeat the amendment that defines marriage as a union between a man and a woman, and also prevents the recognition of any other domestic union that gives the same or substantially equal legal effect as a marriage. The amendment, which will be on the ballot this November, has the state Republican Party's support.

Storrs acknowledges his group is small and young — there are currently five dues-paying members and another 20 supporters. The Utah chapter formed about two years ago, after some years of inactivity. Storr's six-month goal includes expanding the group's active members to 25.

The group is also forming a board of directors and Patrick Guerriero, executive director of the national Log Cabin Republicans, will speak at the group's first fund-raiser on Sept. 25.

Republicans or Democrats

Spencer Jenkins, executive director of the Utah Republican Party, said the party is working to build bridges with the Log Cabin Republicans, even though there are some issues of disagreement.