Washington, D.C. – The political organization, GOProud, an LGBT-led Republican group, has responded to a report on Bilerico.com that it was closing its doors. While representatives of the organization wouldn’t speak directly to Watermark, it did issue a statement about the story.
“The truth is, GOProud has had some preliminary discussions about rebranding,” said Matthew Bechstein, executive director. “That is, changing our name. As with any organization, when new challenges arise, we react with necessary adjustments.”
GOProud was formed in 2004 when Jimmy LaSalvia and Chris Barron split from the Log Cabin Republicans. Both of those founders have resigned their post and left the organization they started.
“Today, I joined the ranks of unaffiliated voters,” LaSalvia announced in January. “I am every bit as conservative as I’ve always been, but I just can’t bring myself to carry the Republican label any longer. You see, I just don’t agree with the big-government ‘conservatives’ who run the party now.
Bechstein said in a statement that there has been concerns among members and investors about GOProud’s ability to grow and be affective moving forward. While no official plan of action as been decided, he said the organization’s board is discussing all possibilities.
“The fact is, in order to continue promoting the conservative principles upon which this organization was founded, change is needed,” Bechstein said. “One of the changes under discussion is a switch to a different legal type of organization—basic paperwork that requires dissolution and immediate subsequent reorganization. Technically, as some argue, this would be a legal ‘closure.’ But if it were to actually happen, it would only be momentary and certainly not the end of our organization. Rather, I would see it as progress—making the necessary adjustments that allow us to fulfill our goals.”
Bechstein went on to say that the organization will continue its “activism” throughout the transition and will not stop it’s work.
When Watermark called the organization’s number listed on GOProud website, a recorded message said the number was not receiving calls at the moment.
