Date: Sat, 18 Sep 1999 17:43:16 -0400 (EDT) From: A Jay Eddy Subject: GOP Lew Keller, 72 - Criticized for Being Gay Friendly September 17, 1999 For Immediate Release Broward Log Cabin Club of Florida P.O. Box 1281 Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33302 Contact: Jack Majeske, President (954) LCR-1995 LEW KELLER SAW THE NEED FOR INCLUSION DURING HIS GOP TENURE September 16, 1999, Ft. Lauderdale. Lew Keller, the former Chairman of the Broward County Republican Party, quietly passed away today. "Like other minority community members, Log Cabin will never forget the man who help found the New Republican Club. The 'rag man' who energized the LCR in its resistance against the enemy of inclusion," noted Joe McCallion an early Log Cabin Republican club member and long-time human rights activist. "How can we forget his club visit during one of our meetings at the MCC Church? I remember how that outreach was twisted and attacked by those who said 'Keller was punished by God because he supported the demonic-Log-Cabin gays.'" noted Log Cabin member, Dr. Charlie LoPiccolo. "Chairman Keller knew how poorly the gay community had treated the club and said that every Republican should be proud of our effort, not condemn us because of our sexual orientation. Lew said, 'I will never forget how your president, Ed Beiler, was attacked when he was introduced at a Gay Pride rally. Likewise, I will never forget how some of you were asked to leave your first Republican Executive Committee meeting because you allegedly didn't belong. I'm proud that you fought back then and are fighting back now,' " noted Andy Eddy, the Club's V.P. for Public Relations. "His wisdom gave us the courage, enthusiasm and push we needed then and thrive on now." Eddy further exclaimed. Our prays and thoughts are with family members and friends of a really wonderful person, Lew Keller, the GOP-big-tent egalitarian. ***** Services will be held at 10 a.m. Sunday at Menorah Gardens and Funeral Chapels, 6800 W. Oakland Park Blvd, Sunrise.