Date: Fri, 22 Jan 1999 14:42:11 -0500
From: Kevin Ivers <kivers@lcr.org>
Subject: LOG CABIN, NICHOLSON CONDEMN CCC

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE			CONTACT: Kevin Ivers
January 22, 1999		        (202) 347-5306 X12


LCR CONDEMNS RACIST, ANTI-GAY GROUP LINKED TO LOTT, BARR

Praises Nicholson For Denouncing Council of Conservative Citizens;
Echoes Call to All Republicans to Condemn Organization

(WASHINGTON) The nation's largest gay Republican organization joined
Republican National Committee Chairman Jim Nicholson in condemning a
racist, anti-gay organization calling itself the Council for Conservative
Citizens (CCC), and called on all Republican officials to denounce the
organization which has publicly linked itself to GOP leaders and
initiatives.

"This organization profanes the legacy of Abraham Lincoln, and bigots must
have no place in the Party of Lincoln," said Rich Tafel, executive director
of Log Cabin Republicans.  "Every Republican should speak out in
uncompromising unison that bigotry on this scale is not welcome in the
Republican Party."

Nicholson said in a statement on January 20 that "a member of the party of
Lincoln should not belong to such an organization ... The Republican Party
rejects and condemns such views forcefully and without hesitation or
equivocation."

News articles revealed that Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott (R-MS) and
Congressman Bob Barr (R-GA), a House Manager in President Clinton's
impeachment trial, were publicly linked to the CCC.  Lott's association,
according to the New York Times and the Washington Post, dates back years
and includes numerous contacts including meetings, a speech at their
convention, and an appearance in their newsletter.  The CCC claims Lott as
an "honorary member."  Governor Kirk Fordice (R-MS) gave the keynote
address at the CCC convention in November in Jackson, Mississippi.  An
article appearing in the Jackson Clarion-Ledger in November covered the
event, and quoted several members in attendance with saying that Lott was
indeed a member. When it was revealed over a month later by the Washington
Post that Lott had addressed the CCC in Greenwood, Mississippi, saying that
"the people in this room stand for the right principles and the right
philosophy," Lott claimed to have "no first-hand knowledge" of the
organization's views, and said he was not a member.

Tafel criticized CCC leader Gordon Baum for saying his followers were "key
GOP supporters,"   adding that any Republican official who retains
membership in the CCC or supports their agenda are unfit to hold office.
RNC Committeman Buddy Witherspoon of South Carolina has publicly refused
Nicholson's request that he resign his CCC membership.

"There can be no middle ground on this kind of bigotry," Tafel said.
"Chairman Nicholson was right.  These people are not what the Republican
Party should be about.  It's time for cowardice and pandering to extremists
to end, and for the Republican Party to speak with one voice against bigots
like this."

Log Cabin Republicans is the nation's largest gay and lesbian Republican
organization, with state and local chapters nationwide, a full-time
Washington office and a federal political action committee.

#####

Log Cabin Republicans		Kevin Ivers
(202) 347-5306 phone		Director of Public Affairs
(202) 347-5224 fax		http://www.lcr.org