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(Washington, DC) – Today, the Log Cabin Republicans took out a full-page ad in the New York Times opposing the potential nomination of former Sen. Chuck Hagel (R-Neb.) for Secretary of Defense.The headline of the ad quotes Chuck Hagel from an interview with the Omaha World-Herald from 1998 and reads:Chuck Hagel’s Words: “They are representing America [as Ambassador]. They are representing our lifestyle, our values, our standards. And I think it is an inhibiting factor to be gay – openly, aggressively gay…”The ad goes on to say, “Chuck Hagel: Bad on Gay Rights. Bad on Iran. Bad on Israel. Tell President Obama that Chuck Hagel is wrong for Defense Secretary”

“Chuck Hagel’s weak record on preventing nuclear proliferation in Iran, lack of confidence in our ally Israel as well as an aggressive history against the LGBT community is a no-go combination for a Secretary of Defense nominee,” stated R. Clarke Cooper, Executive Director of Log Cabin Republicans, combat veteran and former alternative representative to the UN Security Council.

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Log Cabin Republicans is the only Republican organization dedicated to representing the interests of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Americans and their allies. The more than 30-year old organization has state and local chapters nationwide, a full-time office in Washington, DC, a federal political action committee and state political action committees.