U.S. LGBT group Log Cabin Republicans removes transgender rights advocacy from its mission

The U.S. conservative organization Log Cabin Republicans, which represents LGB Republicans and their allies, announced on August 20, 2026, that transgender rights advocacy will no longer be part of its national work. Its board voted to focus on issues of sexual orientation and conservative principles; the group now calls itself an “LGB advocacy organization.”

President Ross Hemminger wrote in a Townhall column that the decision followed extensive discussion with members. In 2015, the board added transgender advocacy to the Log Cabin Republicans’ mission on the principle that adults should be free from government interference. Breitbart also reported the change on August 22.

Hemminger attributed the change in direction to disagreements with the priorities of the transgender movement, particularly over medical care for minors and the participation of transgender women and girls in women’s sports. He also linked that agenda to declining public support for same-sex marriage and gay and lesbian rights. The column provided no data establishing such a causal link.

Under the new focus, Log Cabin Republicans plans to work on same-sex marriage, adoption, open military service, equal treatment, and protections for religious liberty. Membership remains open to all conservatives, including transgender people, while local chapters may operate according to the needs of their members. The group’s website now describes it as an organization for LGB conservatives and their allies.

The decision drew criticism both inside and outside the organization. As CNN reports , former Log Cabin Institute board member Sarah Hunt said she was disappointed by the retreat from the group’s former big-tent approach. Human Rights Campaign spokesperson Delphine Luneau said the freedoms of different parts of the LGBT community are intertwined and that setting them against one another would not protect the others.