The Conservative Case for Gay Marriage

            This week the title that first caught my eye was The Conservative Case for Gay Marriage, especially since it was brought up in class this morning that the Republican Party does not want the support of gay conservatives.  This topic also ties in nicely with the two gay marriage cases set to be tried at the Supreme Court this week. 

            Ken Mehlman is heading a group of over one hundred established Republicans who signed a marriage legal brief in support of same sex marriage.  An unlikely supporter of gay marriage, Mehlman worked as the political director for the Bush administration and chairman of the Republican National Committee.  After coming out in 2010 Mehlman is undoubtedly the most prominent openly gay Republican.  The intent if these actions were to offer a conservative perspective in relation to overturning Proposition 8, which prohibits same sex marriage in California.  His was not the only high profile Republican signature on the brief.  Steve Schmidt who orchestrated the McCain presidential campaign, Kenneth Duberstein, the previous White House Chief of Staff, and Meg Whitman of California who had originally supported Proposition 8 also signed in support. [1]  I think it is wonderful that people are able to evolve their opinions and openly support something they once opposed.  What strikes me most is the irony here.  Mehlman worked with the Bush Administration against gay marriage, while Obama originally was of the opinion that marriage was something only to be shared between a man and a woman.  The difference here is the change of heart helped propel Obama’s support, and I am not sure the same will be true for Mehlman and conservative support.

            Last week the Conservative Political Conference also hosted an unofficial panel about the issue of Republicans adopting a more, “inclusive tone” in the matter of same sex marriage.  Sen. Rob Portom of Ohio voiced his support of same sex marriage. Jeb Bush has also recognizes the need of a less aggressive approach to marriage and said, “Way too many people believe Republicans are anti-immigrant, anti-woman, anti-science, anti-gay, anti-worker, and the list goes on and on and on.  Many voters are simply unwilling to choose our candidate — even though they share our core beliefs — because those voters feel unloved, unwanted and unwelcome in our party.”  Even Karl Rove said on ABC last week he can envision a GOP candidate that supports same sex marriage.   The Washington Blade reports a staging statistic that, “51% of Republicans under the age of 30 support marriage equality.” [2]  

            While reading through the right wing blogs a reoccurring arguement against redefining the definition of marriage is that it won’t stop with gay people, but with the number of people whom one can marry.  I was surprised by this beacause in my opinion, a threesome or foursome marriage is not relevant to the issue at all, as the conflict lies in the sex not the number.  I think it is really interesting how some Republicans are adopting this, “evolve or die” mentality. [1]  I would love to see this happen not only because I support equal rights to all people, but I think it could bring the two parties closer and get rid of some of the, “single issue” voting that happens.  I don’t see Republicans as a whole embracing this anytime soon, but I like to see that a party is having to adapt to new social norms and this represents a changing America.

 

References

1. Johnson, Chris. “CPAC highlights GOP Division on Gay Rights, Marriage.” washingtonblade.com (accessed 25 March 2013) http://www.washingtonblade.com/2013/03/18/marriage-debate-heats-up-at-conservative-conference/ Web.

2.   Totenberg, Nina. “Former Bush Aide Pushes “Conservative Case” For Gay Marriage.”

http://www.npr.org (accessed 25 March 2013) http://www.npr.org/2013/03/24/174982423/former-bush-aide-pushes-conservative-case-for-gay-marriage. Web.