LOS ANGELES (AP) – Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, on a mission to remind voters that he is not beholden to the party of President Bush, told a group of gay Republicans last Thursday that no one should be judged by their sexual orientation.

“In politics, I believe we need to address problems rather than attacking people,” the governor said at a fund-raising dinner for the Log Cabin Republicans, a group that has supported him since the 2003 recall election. “Whether you’re gay or straight, everyone needs someone to love.”

The governor’s decision to appear at the fund-raiser, although it drew television cameras, did not appear to cause much of a political stir among Republicans.

The only group to register its disappointment was the Campaign for Children and Families, which opposes same-sex marriage. In a press release, president Randy Thomasson accused the governor of “selling out family value voters.”

With its moderate Republican leanings, the Log Cabin group is a natural fit for Schwarzenegger. His appearance at their fund-raiser allowed him to sharpen the distinctions between himself and President Bush, who could be a liability in the November election.

Schwarzenegger received an award from the group for helping to make the Republican Party more inclusive.

In the eyes of many gay activists, he has a mixed record on gay issues. He has signed a number of bills to expand gay rights in California and he opposes a federal ban on same-sex marriage. In September, he vetoed a bill to legalize same-sex marriage in California.

That earned him the “pink brick” award from the organizers of the San Francisco Pride parade, who give it each year to the public figure who has most hurt the gay rights cause.

The Log Cabin Republicans have stood by the governor, although they broke with Bush after he supported the federal same-sex marriage ban.

In his 10-minute speech, the governor alluded to his disagreement with the group over the same-sex marriage issue, while plugging the value of tolerance.

“California is diverse, but it must never be divided,” he said. “So, tonight I want you to know that I am proud to be on the same team with you. I can’t promise you that I will always be of the same mind, but I can promise you that I will always have an open mind.”

In addition to Schwarzenegger, the group also honored Marc Cherry, the creator of “Desperate Housewives.”