Between my post on Monday about the new pro-gay faces of the Republican Party and what I’m about to write, I probably sound like a closeted Republican. Nothing could be farther from the truth. I’m a proud progressive Democrat, and have long believed the Log Cabin Republicans to be useless at best and a detriment to the movement for equality at worst.

But at the same time, I have to respect that they’ve had some successes lately. First, that they’ve been able to recruit high profile moderate Republicans to their cause is important.

Second, according to The Advocate, the Log Cabin Republicans negotiated a deal with the state party in New York that could help clear the way for marriage equality in that state.

In 2007, when the New York legislature voted on marriage equality, the state GOP pressured lawmakers to vote the party line– against marriage equality.

This time, Republican lawmakers will be encouraged to vote their conscience on the issue, which could make all the difference, particularly in the state Senate, where the vote is expected to be very close. Democrats have a slim margin in the Senate– which is split 32-30– and four Democrats have already indicated that they will be voting against marriage equality. At least a few Republican Senators will need to vote for Governor Paterson’s bill in order for it to have a chance to pass.

Thanks to the Log Cabin Republicans, there might be a chance of that happening this time around. And I can hardly believe I just wrote that.

(h/t Joe My God)