Following historic calls for his resignation by GOP leaders including RNC Chairman Reince Priebus, Michigan Republican Party Chairman Bobby Schostak, Congressman Justin Amash and others in the wake of anti-gay statements going far beyond disapproval of civil marriage equality for same-sex couples, Michigan RNC Committeeman Dave Agema refused to step down from his post. In response, Log Cabin Republicans National joined Log Cabin Republicans of Michigan to issue the following offer:

“Dave Agema just doesn’t get it, so I’m personally challenging him to a debate,” Log Cabin Republicans Executive Director Gregory T. Angelo declared. “Despite calls from Party leadership to focus on victory in November, Dave Agema seems hell-bent on pursuing the politics of division that will kill the GOP’s chances of winning in the November mid-terms. Agema stands on a soapbox of conservative Christianity, but as a conservative Christian myself I find his views out-of-touch and unrepresentative of the views of conservative Christians I know who believe in the ‘Greatest Commandment’ of Jesus Christ to ‘love thy neighbor.’ Someone needs to stand up to this bigotry. On behalf of the overwhelming groundswell of GOP leaders who have concluded that Agema does not represent the Michigan GOP nor the Republican National Committee, I’m offering Mr. Agema the opportunity to defend his brand of ‘conservatism’ in a debate with Log Cabin Republicans. Let’s get together — Republican to Republican — and have this out once and for all.”