The following is a press release from the Cimarron Alliance Group
(Posted 6-7-02)

Cimarron Alliance Group, an Oklahoma State Gay and Lesbian Political Action Committee strongly condemns the Republican Chair, Chad Alexander, for his bigoted and divisive remarks.

Mr. Alexander has in effect stated that all homosexuals, lesbians, bisexuals and transgender persons and their friends and allies are not welcome in the Republican Party. Mr. Alexander, as Chairman of the State Republican Party speaks with authority for and on behalf of all Republicans in the state of Oklahoma. His message of exclusion was heard loud and clear by this minority community and will not go unnoticed by its members.

Cimarron Alliance Group urges the Republican Party to make an official retraction of Mr. Alexander's statements and to require Mr. Alexander to issue an apology. Further the Republican Party should state categorically that persons of these minority groups are welcome in the Republican Party.

Cimarron Alliance Group believes that a healthy multiparty system is beneficial to all Oklahomans and to all Americans. When one party has at its central core the ideology of the extermination and eradication of a social minority, this defeats the two party system. Mr. Alexander's words were no less hate inspiring than those of Hitler during World War II. Words of hate do not belong in any political party in the United States.

Cimarron Alliance Group desires to support candidates based upon their merit and what they can do for the betterment of all Oklahomans. Unless the Republican Party retracts Mr. Alexander's words, Cimarron Alliance Group will be unable to support any Republican Candidate who does not specifically and unequivocally renounce Mr. Alexander.

Paul Bashline
President,
Cimarron Alliance Group