(Los Angeles, CA) – Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger will be the special guest at a fund-raiser for the Log Cabin Republicans on Thursday June 29, 2006. THE COURAGE TO LEAD an evening with the governor will be held tonight, Thursday June 29, 2006, at the Renaissance Hotel, 1755 Highland Avenue, Hollywood, CA. Press check in time is 7:00 p.m. to 7:15 p.m. on the mezzanine level, and the dinner will begin at 7:30 pm.
Log Cabin endorsed and campaigned for Arnold Schwarzenegger in the 2003 recall election and continues to support his efforts to bring people together to build an even brighter future for the great state of California. "When he took the oath of office, Arnold Schwarzenegger said he would be governor of all the people-and he is reinforcing that inclusive message this evening in his first-ever address to a gay and lesbian organization," said Patrick Guerriero, Log Cabin Republicans President.
"Governor Schwarzenegger has been reaching out to all Californians from all walks of life in every corner of the state. He has a record of supporting inclusive civil rights legislation and broadening the Republican big tent to include all Californians," continued Guerriero.
The event will also recognize the Creator and Executive Producer of "Desperate Housewives," Marc Cherry. The Log Cabin American Visibility Award will be presented to Mr. Cherry by San Diego District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis.
Log Cabin will present Arnold Schwarzenegger with its Ronald Reagan Award. This award recognizes those individuals who maintain the big tent philosophy by working for the inclusion of all Americans in the Republican Party. The award is named after former California Governor and President Ronald Reagan for his leadership in defeating the 1978 Briggs Initiative. This proposal would have barred openly gay and lesbian people from teaching in California public schools. Reagan's courageous opposition to this anti-gay initiative inspired the founding of Log Cabin Republicans in California 30 years ago. The evening will also look back at the 30 year history of Log Cabin.
Previous Log Cabin awards have been given to Governor M. Jodi Rell (R-CT), Governor William Weld (R-MA), Gov. Christine Todd Whitman (R-NJ), Secretary of State Bruce McPherson (R-CA), Sen. Gordon Smith (R-OR), Sen. John McCain (R-AZ), former Sen. John Danforth (R-MO), Mayor Richard Riordan (R-L.A.), U.S. Rep. Mary Bono (R-CA), U.S. Rep. Tom Campbell (R-CA), and U.S. Rep. Jim Kolbe (R-AZ), among many others.
Since taking office in 2003, Governor Schwarzenegger has signed over a dozen gay and lesbian supportive bills including expansion of domestic partnership rights, hate crimes protection, housing and employment non-discrimination laws, improving HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment strategies, and ending the Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy in the state militia. The Governor has spoken out publicly against the anti-family Federal Marriage Amendment and has been one of the nation's leading voices advocating for a "Big Tent" Republican Party.
Following legislative passage of marriage equality legislation in 2005, Governor Schwarzenegger stated that he was awaiting a ruling by the California Supreme Court regarding the constitutionality of any prohibition on the freedom to marry for all Californians regardless of sexual orientation. In his veto message, he also stated that, "I believe that lesbian and gay couples are entitled to full protection under the law and should not be discriminated against based on their relationships."
"This event also offers Log Cabin a chance to put a face on the thousands of life long, law abiding, tax paying gay and lesbian families that support full equality. The event also celebrates the bright and inclusive future of the Republican Party as embodied by the leadership of Governor Schwarzenegger," concluded Patrick Guerriero.
