Dozens of Republicans sign brief backing gay marriage

Matthew Wiltse, right, places a wedding ring on the finger of Jonathon Bashford as they took their wedding vows before Superior Court Judge Chris Wickham at the Thurston County Courthouse just after midnight on Sunday, Dec. 9, 2012, in Olympia, Wash. / AP Photo/Rachel La Corte

More than 80 "conservative voices" have signed onto a legal brief supporting the notion that same-sex couples should have a fundamental right to marriage.

The brief is in support of the plaintiffs in the Hollingsworth v. Perry case now before the Supreme Court, which challenges California's Proposition 8 barring same-sex marriage. The case, which will be argued starting in late March, could result in the invalidation of statewide bans on same-sex marriage across the country. It is one of two same-sex marriage cases being considered this term by the Supreme Court; the other challenges the Defense of Marriage Act, which bars federal recognition of same-sex marriage.

Among the signatories to the letter are former Republican Governors Christie Todd Whitman and Bill Weld; Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, R-Fla.; former Republican Reps. Deborah Pryce and Mary Bono Mack; 2012 presidential candidates and former governors Gary Johnson and Jon Huntsman; and former Republican National Committee chair Ken Mehlman, the onetime George W. Bush campaign manager who has since come out as gay.

Notably not among the signatories are some Republicans who have expressed support for same-sex marriage in the past, including Dick Cheney and Laura Bush.

The American Foundation for Equal Rights, which organized the effort, said more names will be added before the brief is filed. The brief was first reported by the New York Times, which reported that it made the case that same-sex marriage reflects conservative values of "limited government and maximizing individual freedom."

Among those working to legalize same-sex marriage are conservative lawyer and former Solicitor General Theodore B. Olson, who was among the first prominent conservatives to express support for same-sex marriage. Same-sex marriage supporters hope the fact that numerous well-known conservatives and Republicans are signatories to the brief will help sway conservative justices.

"The conservative movement toward the freedom to marry is what we like to call the 'Ted Olson effect,'" said AFER executive director Adam Umhoefer. "We value the support of our conservative colleagues and welcome their voices to the growing majority of Americans who stand for marriage equality."

CBS News polling has found that a majority of Americans believe same-sex marriage should be legal, though more than six in ten said it should be left to the states to decide. House Speaker John Boehner and most Republicans in Congress oppose both federal recognition of same-sex marriage and a mandate that it be recognized by the states.

[rightontarget]

JV1970 replies: "And if they don't "mind their own business"? I think you need to be reminded of the first amendment too! We have the right to FREELY exercise our religion AND we have the right to freedom of speech!"
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Yes you do, as it pertains to YOUR OWN LIFE!!! What you do NOT have the "right" to is DISCRIMINATION which limits the rights of others to join in a LEGAL marriage. Shout your beliefs from the hilltops. Try and "convert" others to your way of thinking but DO NOT try to "control" how other people live their life legally under the law. The "superiority" mind set has no place in the law when it comes to EQUAL RIGHTS! Stop trying to DICTATE who others can love and make their family with just because it doesn't fit with what you, personally believe. You CANNOT DICTATE other's lives according to your own belief system.

[rightontarget]

No, you can't "dictate" (as in mandate) what I or anybody else does with their own life. I am not gay but I do respect the rights of others and absolutely hate it when people try to FORCE others to live by their own beliefs. You can "free speech" it all you want, say what you want, promote whatever you want but you CANNOT FORCE by law your beliefs upon anybody else. By allowing discrimination against someone else you are in fact FORCING others to live according to your beliefs. This has nothing to do with "free speech".

[nearl451]

I certainly support the right of all Christians to practice their religion as they see fit as long as they mind their own GD business and leave public policy to the public.

[Aceduece]

As a divorced straight person who never intends on marrying again, I say, let gays have the same right to marriage as me. Everyone has the same right to be miserable.

[Reese4575]

Hey, the majority will vote these guys out of office. These gays think they don't have a choice but to be gay. They are wrong. Man was made (genetics) to procreate and mate with more than one woman, but has chosen to be monogamous.

[Mathion]

As if you are an expert on genetics. What mankind as a whole was made as and what an individual (or many) turn out to be are two different things.

Mankind was "made" as white males and white females with dark hair and dark eyes, according to Christian portrayals of Adam and Eve. So where'd all the other colors and races come from?

The ability for man to deceive himself and his utter failure to think reasonably and rationally are truly wonders to behold.

[andthetruthis]

Republicans agreeing with gay marriage.
The devil is trapped in hell,cause there's a foot of ice overhead.
Do you all believe these people who hate anybody that is not 'their kind',will ever accept two men kissing.
Trying to get back into the election game.

[cab_351]

they sound like the catholics that run notre dame university,,they are against birth control and abortion,but support gays,and gay marriage,

[cab_351]

obama changing the repub party?hahaha! they are killing themselves! they are trying to pick up some votes!! but within the next few years they will argue,coerce,and lie their way to the unemployment line!

[rzarc2]

LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sounds like the GOP got the memo (or Email). There's hope for them yet.

Great news!

[Larnan5]

The Tea Party folks must be adding some rum to their drink.

[superdem1]

You don't "decide" about sex - you see something, and you either like it, or you don't. Even if you are experimental, it sorts itself out. Almost no one can go either way at any given time, but I understand there are a few who can. It's not absolute, but there are strong predelections. You can't "catch the gay" - children don't need to be steered into straightness - for gosh sakes, don't you thing every gay person's parents tried to do that ? 90% of people are going to be attracted to the opposite sex, the species is NOT in danger. The other 10% of the population deserve equal rights. Period.