Marriage issues divide D.C.

If Republican Party does not adapt, it risks becoming culturally irrelevant

For those of us born in the late ’80s and early ’90s, gay marriage has been a heavily debated topic in every significant political election we have witnessed. Despite its place at the forefront of many previous elections, the gay marriage debate has taken a backseat in the most recent political cycle.

DIVIsive — Questions on gay marriage still split representatives on Capitol Hill. Google Images

DIVISIVE — Questions on gay marriage still split representatives on Capitol Hill. Google Images

While some party members have welcomed this shift in priority as a sensible way to accept a culture moving in a different direction, others, including 2016 Republican presidential hopeful Mike Huckabee, have voiced frustration with the party’s feeble stance on the issue.

This past month, Huckabee shared his opinions on the American Family Association’s radio program, “Today’s Issues”

“I am utterly exasperated with Republicans and the so-called leadership of the Republicans who have abdicated on this issue,” Huckabee said. “If the Republicans want to lose guys like me and a whole bunch of still God-fearing and Bible-believing people, just go ahead and abdicate on this issue. I’ll become an Independent, and I’ll start finding people that have guts to stand.”

Despite Huckabee’s threats and suspicions, the official national Republican Party position on same-sex marriage currently remains firm, saying members “believe that marriage, the union of one man and one woman, must be upheld as the national standard.”

However, for every voice that opposes a weakening position on gay marriage, there is one more that voices weariness over the continual focus on the issue. In a SiriusXM interview, Rep. Michele Bachmann, a Republican from Minnesota, shared her thoughts.

“It’s not an issue in this upcoming election,” Bachmann told reporter Michelangelo Signorile. “In fact, it’s boring.”

Bachmann later clarified her statements, saying she told the reporter “it’s getting boring having (the media) only press this issue with Republicans
while ignoring Democrats.”

I find myself leaning toward an opinion similar to Bachmann’s original words — it is boring. Proponents of gay marriage in the media have force-fed a narrative of acceptance to the American public, and despite constant attempts to halt the progression toward acceptance of gay marriage, society has been greatly influenced by
the liberal stance.

Regardless, Congress’ ability to influence the final decision on marriage is lessening. Gay marriage — traditionally an issue left to the states — has moved to the chambers of the Supreme Court where state-sanctioned bans on gay marriage are being consistently overturned. So, nearly every question from the liberal media on the issue is intended to spark debate and partisan bickering.

Conservatives have much bigger issues to worry about. Whether or not same-sex marriage is banned or allowed will not prevent individuals from being sexually immoral. However, by leading the way on economic issues, foreign policy and healthcare reform, Republicans can redeem their party.

With renewed focus, the Grand Old Party has a chance to be the relevant, vibrant party it once was.

SMITH is an opinion writer.

One comment

  • The GOP may not support civil rights (let alone marriage equality) for LGBT people anytime soon … but sooner or later they’ll have to come to grips with the fact that vilifying Gay Americans is no longer a vote-getter for them. Back in 2009 a CBS News survey found that while only 18% of Americans over the age of 65 supported marriage equality for Gay couples, 41% of American under the age of 45 supported it. That was FIVE YEARS AGO, and the generational shift in attitudes among young people toward their Gay friends and family members is accelerating.

    Even conservative National Review columnist Andrew Stuttaford grudgingly acknowledged this: “I fully understand (even if I do not agree with) the idea that same-sex unions are a threat to conventional marriage and I fully understand those who argue that opposition to gay marriage is a fundamental principle too important to be abandoned for reasons of political expediency, but these findings should, I reckon, at least be some sort of warning to those who assume that the GOP’s current position on this issue will continue to be a vote-winner.”

    30 years ago most Americans were not aware of any Gay friends, family members, or co-workers. Today most Americans ARE aware, and they have become dramatically more accepting and supportive of the Gay people and Gay couples in their lives. And social networking sites like Facebook have made the proverbial “closet” virtually obsolete. The Republican Party ignores this growing acceptance at its own peril. Jobs and the economy are important, yes … but your friends and family members are PERSONAL.

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