“The freedom to work without fear of discrimination, the freedom to serve in our nation’s military, and the freedom to marry are all issues of vital importance,” the organization said today via a prepared statement. “As we considered our endorsement decision, we did not degrade these issues as irrelevant, nor did we overlook the harm that is done to the Republican brand when our standard-bearers appear to be caught up in an outdated culture war.”

“But as we condemn the aspects of the GOP platform which work to exclude our families, we are still able to cheer the vision for America which was presented in Tampa, where success is a virtue, equal opportunity is ensured, and leaders recognize that it is the American people, not government, that build our nation and fuel its prosperity,” the organization continued.

Log Cabin acknowledges the ongoing battle for inclusion in the Republican Party will not be easy, but the group says it must fight for change within the conservative ranks if it is to achieve its desired goal of welcomed involvement in the party.

“Our endorsement of Mitt Romney is not free. We commit, here and now, that we will work with the party as we are able, and challenge the party as it is necessary, to ensure that it lives up to its highest ideals of limited government and individual freedom. The Log Cabin Republicans motto is ‘inclusion wins.’ If LGBT Americans are serious about winning equality for all, rather than merely playing politics, Republicans must be part of the team,” the group stated.

LGBT Democratic organization Stonewall Democrats, which has endorsed President Obama, today blasted the Log Cabin endorsement and accused the Log Cabin Republicans of turning their backs on the LGBT rights movement.

“With their endorsement of Mitt Romney today, the Log Cabin Republicans have proven once and for all that they are not an organization aligned with the LGBT movement,” Stonewall Democrats Executive Director Jerame Davis said.

“They are a Republican front group bumbling their way into fooling LGBT voters that it’s OK to support a party that would legislate us back into the closet.”

Davis reserved his most scathing attack for Romney and detailed the GOP’s frontrunner’s positions on several LGBT issues.

“Their endorsement of Mitt Romney isn’t just shameful – it’s insulting. Mitt Romney stands for nothing positive for LGBT people. He supports a federal marriage amendment (which was a reason for Log Cabin to refuse to endorse George W. Bush in 2004). He supports McCarthy-like investigations into our community for evidence of ‘harassment of Christians.’ He opposes the repeal of DOMA. He opposes ENDA. He’s even said things as basic as the right to visit your sick or dying loved one in the hospital is a ‘privilege’ and not a right.”

GOProud, an LGBT conservative organization, also endorsed Romney ahead of November’s general election:

“President Obama doesn’t deserve the votes of gay Americans,” GOProud’s Executive Director Jimmy LaSalvia said of the presidential race.

“On jobs and the economy, the single most important issue of this cycle for gay Americans, Barack Obama has been an utter failure. Mitt Romney is offering a different way forward, a path back to economic prosperity and job creation for gay and straight Americans and their families. Simply put, Mitt Romney has earned the vote of gay Americans and those who care about gay Americans,” LaSalvia continued.

Top photo: (left to right) Clarke Cooper, Log Cabin Republican executive directory, former Mass. Gov. Mitt Romney and former Congressman Jim Kolbe (courtesy Log Cabin Republicans)