Republican National Committee passes resolution against the freedom to marry

Today, the Republican National Committee approved a resolution reaffirming its stance against the freedom to marry for same-sex couples. The resolution, which was introduced on Wednesday, was approved today, even despite vocal opposition from a growing number of young conservatives who embrace the freedom to marry and view it as a core conservative value. 

Freedom to Marry founder and president Evan Wolfson issued a statement denouncing the resolution. He said:

With Republican support for the freedom to marry increasing every day - aided by the journeys of leaders like Senators Mark Kirk and Rob Portman - the RNC is showing itself out of touch with this resolution. A party that claims to value individual freedom, personal responsibility, family stability, and limited government should be embracing the freedom to marry, as have a growing majority of young Republicans. RNC leaders would do well to align themselves with these supporters, who represent the party's future, instead of digging in against the right side of history.

Members of Young Conservatives for the Freedom to Marry, a campaign that works to amplify and grow support for the freedom to marry among young conservatives across the country, spoke out against the resolution. The leadershiop committee for the Young Conservatives campaign submitted a letter to the RNC yesterday urging them to stand with the majority of conservatives under the age of 50 who support marriage for same-sex couples.

Young Conservatives for the Freedom to Marry campaign manager Tyler Deaton said:

"The passage of this resolution shows a party stuck in the past, not aligned with the majority of Americans and not aligned with the next generation of the conservative movement. We will continue to push our leaders to move toward a stance on marriage that includes all loving and committed couples, which is completely in line with the conservative tenets of freedom, personal responsibility, and family." 

Liddy Huntsman, a leadership committee member and daughter of Jon Huntsman, the GOP former governor of Utah, said:

As someone with high hopes for the GOP, I'm personally disappointed with this display of exclusion, especially at a moment when everyone - including party officials - acknowledge that we need a new direction. We should be focused on a better future for all Americans, no matter who they love.

recent ABC poll found that 52% of Republicans and GOP-leaning independents under the age of 50 support ending the exclusion of same-sex couples from marriage. 

Find out more about Young Conservatives for the Freedom to Marry HERE