Republicans may ditch official anti-gay marriage stance despite Trump and Cruz opposition
The Republicans may officially ditch their opposition to same-sex marriage at the party’s convention, despite opposition from its leading Presidential candidates.
The party militantly opposed the introduction of marriage equality after the Supreme Court ruled in favour of it last year – with Republicans in many states attempting to resist the legislation.
Though the party remains committed to opposing LGBT rights as a whole, standing firmly against any federal or state non-discrimination law protecting LGBT people, there are some signals that the battle is moving away from the specific issue of marriage.
Politico reports that the issue will come into play as the Republicans head into their national convention this summer, due to a push to alter the party’s platform.
Though both the likely Republican Presidential nominees – Ted Cruz and Donald Trump – are opposed to equal marriage, moderate Republicans are seeking to draw a line under the issue.
The outlet reports: “With the convention less than four months away, both sides are mobilizing in anticipation of a bitter clash over whether the party should embrace a more moderate approach to gay nuptials, in keeping with a public that is more open to it, or maintain the hard line the party’s base demands.
“Some of the party’s biggest financiers, attempting to transform the GOP’s approach, have been helping to bankroll the American Unity Fund, a group that has launched a well-organized, behind-the-scenes effort to lobby convention delegates who will draw up the platform. It is asking them to adopt language that would accommodate same sex marriage.
“American Unity Fund’s efforts are the most assertive yet to alter the party’s posture on gay marriage.”
The lobbying operation is already reaching out to key influential Republicans in a bid to secure their support ahead of the June convention.
Republican lobbyist Jerri Ann Henry said: “We are working to ensure that each and every delegate is empowered to vote their conscience and truly craft an inclusive Republican Party platform. We need to be inclusive.”
Meanwhile, evangelicals and right-wingers are also lining up against any change, rallying Tea Party delegates against any change.
The party’s attention will be focussed on the Presidential race at the convention amid rumours of a plot to depose Donald Trump – which may influence any bid to alter the platform.
