Washington, DC – Log Cabin Republicans Executive Director Ed Williams released the following statement on the news that the organizers of Smyrna Pride will now allow the Georgia Log Cabin Republicans to fully participate in their Pride event:

“The Georgia Log Cabin Republicans (GLCR), together with their partners in the Georgia Republican Party led by Chairman Joshua McKoon, just won an incredible victory for tolerance and common-sense against the organizers of Smyrna Pride. Smyrna Pride, after originally barring GLCR from participating as a vendor entirely due to their political beliefs, only to then agree to admit them with special ‘conditions,’ are now allowing GLCR to fully participate in their event without any discrimination, treated just like every other vendor. This is a complete and total victory not just for GLCR, but for Georgia’s LGBT community, open-mindedness, civic discourse, and common-sense. Left-wing activists for years have attempted to censor what the LGBT community can or cannot think, say, support, or hear. Thanks to this victory, the organizers of Smyrna Pride will not dictate what viewpoints are allowed within the LGBT community. The national Log Cabin Republicans congratulates GLCR on their victory, and would like to thank the Georgia Republican Party and its Chairman Joshua McKoon. Without his critical leadership and legal support, this victory would not have been possible. We look forward to continuing to partner with the Georgia Republican Party to fight for tolerance of conservative viewpoints and victories in Georgia up and down the ballot.”

Collin Scheible, President of the Georgia Log Cabin Republicans, and Skyler Akins, Director of Policy for the Georgia Log Cabin Republicans and national board member, released the following statement:

“After initially excluding the Georgia Log Cabin Republicans from the Smyrna Pride festival, organizers have relented and agreed to live up to their claims of inclusivity on public property using public resources. While Georgia Log Cabin is thrilled to host an information booth at the upcoming festival, both the Georgia Log Cabin Republicans and the Georgia Republican Party regret that legal action was necessary for organizers of Smyrna Pride to live up to their own promises. This partnership between Georgia Log Cabin Republicans and the Georgia Republican Party is a historic achievement. It’s time for Democrats of all stripes to recognize and celebrate the progress that Log Cabin Republicans have made for the gay community. Every Pride organization across the country is put on notice that Republicans everywhere will no longer put up with liberal exclusion, animus, bullying, double standards, unequal treatment, or viewpoint discrimination. Y’all means all and inclusion means everyone. The Georgia Republican Party has effectively opened the Smyrna Pride festival to all viewpoints, including Democrats and other political groups. The Georgia Log Cabin Republicans look forward to a fun,   mutually respectful, peaceful, and courteous Smyrna Pride this year. We welcome anyone and everyone to stop by our table and to learn more about us, our values, and our fight for gay rights. Happy Pride!”