California's Republicans extended an olive branch to gay and lesbian supporters on Sunday when they voted overwhelmingly to officially recognize the Log Cabin Republicans as a charter volunteer organization, Reuters reported.

The party's LGBT wing, which has at least 200 members in California, had long been marginalized. Log Cabin's goals are at odds with the state GOP's own platform, which demands that "public policy and education should not be exploited to present or teach homosexuality as an acceptable 'alternative' lifestyle."

Nevertheless, delegates to a three-day annual convention in Sacramento voted 861 to 293 in favor of recognition, a party spokeswoman detailed. A day earlier, the party's Volunteer Organization Committee had unanimously recommended a charter for the group.

"The Log Cabin Republicans California's primary purpose is supporting and promoting the Republican principles and platforms and is not based on special agendas," the committee's report read.

Charles Moran, who chairs the Log Cabin California chapter, told the Los Angeles Times he was "personally overwhelmed" by Sunday's vote.

"This is the culmination of a 15-year journey for me," he said.

The decision illustrates how much the California GOP has changed in recent years, said Brandon Gesicki, a delegate who supported the move.

"It would have been the complete opposite 15 years ago," Gesicki said. "The fringe does not control the party anymore. We truly are a big tent once again."

Party leaders, meanwhile, downplayed any change caused by the recognition.

"I don't think anything that occurred this weekend changes the fact that we are a conservative party," local party Chairman James Brulte said. Brulte supported the initiative.

The Log Cabin group was founded in California 38 years ago and was the first gay Republican group in the United States.

Over the years, the Log Cabin Republicans have clashed with the party's establishment on a number of occasions, and the group was once again turned down as a sponsor for last week's Conservative Political Action Committee meeting in Maryland. Its national executive director, however, was invited to participate on a panel.

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