There is some good and surprising news for gay marriage! A legal brief arguing that gays have a constitutional right to marry, signed by dozens of Republicans, is being submitted to the Supreme Court this week.
Yes, you read that right. As of Monday, over 75 Republicans, many well-known and influential, have signed their name to a document that opposes Proposition 8 and, supports same-sex marriage. This is in preparation for next month’s Supreme court cases dealing with Prop 8 and the Defense of Marriage Act. Though some say briefs like this usually do not change the mind of the court, this one may. Some of the names associated with this brief are former governors, White House advisors, congressmen and women. The list includes Jon M. Huntsman Jr., Christine Todd Whitman, William Weld, and Jane Swift, just to name a few.
The brief argues that “same-sex marriage promotes family values by allowing children of gay couples to grow up in two-parent homes, and that it advances conservative values”. There is also the argument that same-sex bans are unjust. As John McCain, who also signed the brief, quoted Dick Cheney, who did not, “Freedom means freedom for everybody”.
Why this change of heart? As Deborah Pryce, a retired Congresswoman, said “Like a lot of the country, my views have evolved on this…I think it’s just the right thing to do.” Meg Whitman, who supported Prop 8 as governor of California, also changed her mind. Ken Mehlman, who was a chairman of the Republican National Committee and openly gay, stated “It is consistent with our values and philosophy for you (the Supreme Court) to overturn Proposition 8.” Or it could be that voters, especially younger voters, are increasingly for gay marriage. Polls show that support for gay marriage has been on the rise for years, maybe it’s just now hitting the Republican Party.
So, YAY! Maybe the Supreme Court will rule that Prop 8’s gotta go and there shall be equal marriage rights for all.
Source: TIME
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