Local Republican Womens group rescinds speaking invitation to local author for being unaffiliated

Here’s the press release from Box Canyon Press:

North Carolina Federation of Republican Women Rescinds Invitation to Local Author to Speak on Non-Political Issue for Being an Unaffiliated Voter

This content is provided by press release through Box Canyon Press, an independent third-party content provider.
Source: Alan Rosenthal, Author – Safer Online Dating©

Asheville, NC, Feb. 04, 2013 /Box Canyon Press/ — A February talk on Safer Online Dating©, taken from the book of the same name, has been canceled due to the author’s voting status of unaffiliated. Local author Alan Rosenthal was originally invited to speak by the local Blue Ridge Republican Women’s Club. At the direction of the North Carolina Federation of Republican Women, the chartering organization of the local group, the invitation to speak was rescinded because the state group’s rules only allow for registered Republicans to address the group.

“This is very unfortunate. I’ve worked professionally for many Republicans and have helped some get elected but my talk is not about politics. This is about keeping all people safe. I think it is shameful but I really feel bad for the woman who extended the invitation. She was caught in the middle and had to give me the news,” Rosenthal said.

Here is the note that was sent to the author:

“Please accept my sincere apologies for the information I’m about to deliver. It seems that because the Blue Ridge Republican Women’s Club is chartered through the North Carolina Federation of Republican Women, we must abide by their rules for speakers, which states that speakers must be registered Republicans. When sharing next month’s program notes with the board, I noted that you were unaffiliated…and then learned about rules governing speakers. I’m so sorry to have to rescind the invitation — it feels extraordinarily awkward and unprofessional to do so, and I hope that you have the grace to find it amusing rather than simply irritating.”

Rosenthal made it clear about the sender of the note, “The local area representative has been wonderful. I would suggest that she was mortified at this decision. This is simply an inane and thoughtless policy, especially when both parties are losing voters to unaffiliated in droves. This is not exactly a welcome mat for Republican causes or an invite to join the party. When I’m asked to help people in trouble, I don’t ask for their voter status.” Taking it in stride, Rosenthal quipped, “Well, I guess it’s one way to affirm I’m a writer. I feel like Salman Rushdie but without the death threats.”

About Safer Online Dating©
If you are online dating or have a loved one that is or you are just interested in personal privacy, this book is an important read. Written from an investigator’s perspective, Safer Online Dating© helps you to understand the multi-billion dollar online dating industry and how your personal information is used and misused. How do the policies of online dating sites like Match.com and even your own practices give you a false sense of security? There are 15 stories from Alan’s case files. Even if you are not online dating, this book will help give you a framework for making your own privacy decisions.
http://www.alanrosenthal.org/SaferOnlineDating.html

About Alan Rosenthal

Alan is a resident of Asheville, North Carolina. An investigator, researcher, consultant, speaker and author, Alan’s latest book is Safer Online Dating – A Comprehensive Guide from an Investigator’s View©. Alan is the volunteer, non-employee investigator for Pisgah Legal Services, a local law firm serving low-income seniors, domestic violence victims, immigrants and the homeless. Articles and more information about Alan can be found at AlanRosenthal.org.