“Historians will write
about this period for
generations to come.And I've had a front row
seat for all of it.”

Read more about Bob Kabel's experience as a gay republican in
his book Inside and Out: The Odyssey of a Gay Conservative

Buy From Publisher Buy from Amazon
Inside and Out Book

Endorsements

“Washington has its insiders, but few bring the compassion, insights and honesty of Bob Kabel. Inside and Out is more than a story of “being in the room”; it is the reflection of a country and a man coming to terms with each other.”
Michael Steele
Fmr. Lt. Gov. of Maryland, Fmr. Chairman Republican National Committee
“Bob Kabel is a man of courage and conviction. It has been my honor to work alongside him at the RNC. He has worked tirelessly to insure that members of the LGBTQ community have a voice within the GOP. I admire him greatly.”
Christine Toretti
National Committeewoman for Pennsylvania
“A proud gay man and a proud Republican...Robert Kabel has written a scrupulously honest and engaging memoir.”
Claude Barfield
American Enterprise Institute
“Being gay wasn’t easy in 1975, when Bob Kabel came to Washington. Being a gay Republican was even harder. It got better over the next 40 years. In this highly readable memoir, Bob tells of the progress he saw – and helped along – in the Reagan White House, the Log Cabin Republicans, and the Republican National Committee.”
David Boaz
Executive Vice President, Cato Institute
“Bob has been my tutor, my colleague, my counselor, but above all, my friend. Understanding only later that he had built his stellar career while carrying what was then an unfair personal burden only enhances the appreciation I have for this remarkable man and valued friend of almost a half century.”
Mitch Daniels
Former Indiana Governor, President, Purdue University
“Over the last 40 years, Bob Kabel has dedicated himself to Republican politics. Serving in both the White House under President Reagan and on Capitol Hill in the United States Senate, he has had a significant impact on the Republican Party throughout the years.. I am excited that Bob has decided to share his story.”
Reince Preibus
Former Republican National Committee Chairman, Former President Trump White House Chief of Staff
“Bob Kabel has the rare perspective of bearing personal witness to two of the most important political revolutions of the late 20th century: the gay revolution and the Reagan Revolution. Those might seem like contradictory movements, but Kabel advanced them both. Anyone hoping to understand either should read this book.”
James Kirchick
Visiting Fellow, The Brookings Institution
“When I arrived in Washington DC to launch Log Cabin Republicans’ national office in 1993 I was struck by how many closeted gay Republicans ran the other way in fear as they put their own personal ambition ahead of helping achieve equality for gays and lesbians. Bob Kabel, known in DC for his leadership role in the Reagan Administration, risked his career by being out when it was risky.”
Richard Tafel
Founder, Log Cabin Republicans National Office
“I am truly honored to have served with Bob on the RNC and to join him on the national board of the Log Cabin Republicans. I remember vividly when Bob bravely came out to the RNC and spoke about the need to engage and support the LGBT community. It was one of the most courageous and honest actions I've seen. Bob is a hero in Republican politics and a leader in advancing LGBT issues.”
Jill Homan
Former DC Republican National Committeewoman, President, Javelin 19
“As a longtime leader of Log Cabin Republicans, Bob Kabel has inspired young conservative gay men and women to serve openly in the GOP. I am proud to know him and call him my friend.”
Richard Grenell
Former U.S. Ambassador to Germany, Director of U.S. National Intelligence
“Bob Kabel is a good man who has dedicated his formidable intelligence, high energy & generous spirit to advancing the mission of the party of Lincoln. His story of 4 decades of principled service is a must read.”
Kenneth B. Mehlman
Businessman, 62nd RNC Chairman

Bob Kabel

Bob Kabel rose from humble Midwestern roots to serve in the highest corridors of power in Washington, D.C. He built a distinguished career as policy expert, lobbyist, political strategist, GOP leader, and advocate for LGBT equality.

His first political job was on the staff of Tennessee Governor Winfield Dunn. From there, he moved to Washington, D.C. to work for Senator Paul Fannin (R-AZ), helping to draft key tax legislation. Later, he worked for GOP Senator Richard Lugar of Indiana. Bob’s star continued rising, and he was soon tapped to work in President Ronald Reagan’s White House. He served as a special assistant to the president for legislative affairs for three years before joining the private sector after Reagan’s 1984 re-election.

For more than 30 years, Bob had a successful law and consulting practice at two large firms in D.C., where he had an active practice representing a wide range of clients.Aside from his law and consulting career, he took on significant outside responsibilities. In the early 1990s, he served as the first national board chair of Log Cabin Republicans. In that capacity, Bob helped build the nation’s only LGBT Republican political organization. He also served more than 20 years in leadership positions for the District of Columbia Republican Party, including election as the first openly gay chairman of a state GOP. His service to the D.C. GOP included eight years as Republican national committeeman.

Millions of young men and women all over the country dream of one day walking the corridors of power in the nation’s capital.

Bob was one who literally got to live the dream, due in part to luck but more to hard work and taking advantage of opportunities that came his way. He worked for a governor and two United States senators. He drafted legislative language that became the foundation for some of the most significant tax legislation of the past 50 years. He had the distinct honor of working in the White House for Ronald Reagan, the 40th President of the United States. He has been a trusted advisor in matters of state and matters of conscience for some of the most powerful men and women in the United States and abroad. He has flown on Air Force One and on Army helicopters.

Bob worked hard and reaped the rewards, but not without trials and obstacles. Some of them were typical: the hurdles of gaining knowledge and maturity, being able to thrive in the most competitive arena imaginable, and gaining the favor of just the right mentors along the way. These days, being gay or lesbian is not widely considered a hindrance to a successful career, but in the 50s, 60s, and 70s, being gay was at the very least awkward and could at times be quite dangerous.That includes Bob’s own story of being kidnapped, robbed, and shot by a young hustler in Nashville,Tennessee. Aside from the physical danger, being gay could be the equivalent of the scarlet letter for a young man with designs on making his mark in Republican politics. Somehow, he persevered and learned a few lessons along the way.