What makes anyone think there were no gays/lesbians attending earlier CPACs? And I think the Log Cabin Republicans have attended before...
The questions seems to be whether they ought to be affirming homosexual conduct in a conservative forum.
Missing the mark in the sexual conduct department is a very common thing. Most of our conservative leaders and divorced and remarried, some multiple times. Many have been involved in episodes of fornication or adultery. Some have begotten or conceived children out of wedlock. Some have a proclivity for pornography or prostitution.
And rare is the conservative who would like the less edifying moments in their "Sins of Youth Period" to be more widely known and remarked upon.
Call it the sad truth if you want to, but call it the truth.
However, as a conservative I wouldn't want people to be soliciting positive affirmation or organizing the advancement of such things. Whatever (say) Newt Gingrich's marital history, I wouldn't want to register an organization called "Conservatives for Multiple Marriage Pride." Like I said.