The Log Cabin Republicans, the largest organization representing gay conservatives, announced that it will no longer advocate for transgender rights. This decision was communicated by Ross Hemminger, the group's president, in a column published on August 21, 2026. Hemminger stated that the organization's board voted to concentrate its advocacy on issues related to sexual orientation and conservative values, officially dropping the 'T' from the acronym LGBT. He emphasized that the group will now focus on lesbian, gay, and bisexual advocacy, aligning with the vision of its founders.
Hemminger noted that the federal government has rolled back transgender rights since the return of President Donald Trump to office, citing actions such as attempts to remove federal funding for gender-affirming care for minors and policies affecting transgender student athletes. He expressed support for the arguments made by Trump and other conservatives against the transgender movement, claiming it promotes 'radical gender ideology' in schools.
In response to this framing, GLAAD, an LGBT+ media advocacy organization, criticized the use of the term 'trans agenda' by right-wing figures, arguing that it misrepresents the pursuit of visibility and basic rights as threatening.
The Log Cabin Republicans had previously included transgender Americans in their advocacy in 2015, based on the belief that all adults should pursue their happiness without infringing on others' rights. Hemminger stated that the organization did not anticipate the current situation when they made that decision. Despite the shift in advocacy focus, he clarified that it does not affect membership eligibility. The group has maintained connections with First Lady Melania Trump, who has participated in fundraising efforts for the organization during the 2024 election cycle. The First Lady's office has not yet commented on this new focus.