An LGBTQ+ Republican group has reportedly seen an "explosion" in new members as former First Lady Melania Trump is expected to attend a fundraiser for the organization.
Richard Grenell, a gay man who previously served as former President Donald Trump's ambassador to Germany, is expected to serve as a co-host for the Log Cabin Republicans' upcoming event. Grenell told Fox News Digital on Friday that "gays and lesbians are no longer reflexively leftist."
"They realize they have incredible liberties in America and that they are not opposed," Grenell said, adding that several local Log Cabin chapters across the nation have seen an "explosion of membership."
Earlier this month, Politico first reported that Melania Trump was expected to make a rare appearance with the Republican LGBTQ+ group. Log Cabin Republicans bills itself as the nation's largest organization representing LGBT conservatives and allies.
The fundraising event is scheduled for April 20 at the former president's Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida.
Newsweek reached out to Log Cabin Republicans via email for further comment.
Trump has sought to portray himself as more moderate on LGBTQ+ issues than some Republicans, at one point holding an upside-down pride flag on the 2016 campaign trail, at times leaving him at odds with the GOP's most conservative voters. However, he embraced policies during his first term that critics say would chip away at the community's rights.
While speaking about her planned appearance at the event, Melania Trump told Fox News, "We must unite in our effort to establish a society where equality is the everyday experience of every American."
"Individual freedom provides a unifying set of principles, and ultimately establishes our American way," she said. "Together, we must nourish and safeguard the seeds of liberty...because, when successful, America blossoms into a magnificent place where everyone can practice their beliefs, share new ideas, and express individualism—this is when we are our best."
The Log Cabin Republicans previously shared a statement exclusively with Newsweek following President Joe Biden's statement declaring March 31 the Transgender Day of Visibility, which coincided with Easter Sunday this year.
"Time and time again, the Biden-Harris Administration shows that it's utterly tone-deaf when it comes to the priorities of average Americans," Charles Moran, president of the Log Cabin Republicans, said in the statement.
"This entire episode shows extreme disrespect to Christians, or extreme malpractice upon Biden's advisors. Either way, it's a bad look for this Administration, creates unneeded division in America, and shows that LGBT voters should seriously look elsewhere for leadership than the failed Biden-Harris Administration. They're needlessly making it worse, not better, for all of us, with stunts like this."
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