The head of the nation’s leading LGBT Republican organization is celebrating the party’s new platform that no longer opposes same-sex marriage. Every Republican platform from 1992 to 2016 included language opposing same-sex marriage, always explicitly so. (The party did not release a platform in 2020, the year of the pandemic.)
the year of 2000 platformFor example, Republicans “support the traditional definition of ‘marriage’ as the legal union of one man and one woman, and believe that federal judges and bureaucrats should not force states to recognize other forms of living arrangement as marriage.”
2016 platform He criticized the Supreme Court’s decision to legalize same-sex marriage, saying traditional marriage between “one man and one woman” is “the bedrock of a free society, entrusted for thousands of years with raising children and instilling cultural values.”
But this year, under the direct guidance of Republican candidate Donald Trump and his team, the platform committee removed the platform’s opposition to same-sex marriage. neutral On this issue: Trump supports same-sex marriage.
Delegates approved the new platform this week.
On social media, the news was celebrated by Charles T. Moran, president of Log Cabin Republicans, the nation’s largest Republican organization focused on LGBT issues.
“It’s official! All anti-LGBT language has been removed from the Republican National Platform! Inclusion has won! Thank you @realDonaldTrump!” Moran wrote.
It’s official! All anti-LGBT language has been removed from the Republican National Platform! Inclusion has won! Thank you! Donald Trump ! pic.twitter.com/pyN9MCdb0d
— Charles T. Moran (@CharlesTMoran) July 15, 2024
In a statement, Log Cabin Republicans called the new policy platform “historic.”
“Log Cabin Republicans have worked for decades to build a more inclusive Republican Party and update our outdated and outdated platform language.“ The statement read: “…today, those efforts have finally paid off.”
Our statement regarding the Republican National Committee’s historic 2024 platform endorsement:
“Log Cabin Republicans have been working for decades to build a more inclusive Republican Party and to update the outdated and outdated language in our party platform…Today, that effort finally paid off.” pic.twitter.com/uFwwnsLk5m
— Log Cabin Republican (@LogCabinGOP) July 15, 2024
Such a shift would have been unthinkable in previous elections.
In 2004, Republican President George W. Bush won the support of Christian conservatives for his reelection campaign by supporting a constitutional amendment that would define marriage as the union of one man and one woman. In 2008, Republican candidate John McCain Said He opposed same-sex marriage and supported the Defense of Marriage Act, a federal law that defined marriage as the union of one man and one woman. In 2012, Republican candidate Mitt Romney Said He is opposed to same-sex marriage, which contrasts with President Obama.
In fairness, the 2024 platform does mention one LGBT issue: transgenderism, but it is silent on other LGBT issues.
“We will bar men from women’s sports, ban taxpayer funding for sex reassignment surgery, stop taxpayer funded schools from promoting gender transitions, and reverse Biden’s radical rewrite of Title IX education rules, restoring protections for women and girls.“ The 2024 Platform states:
Former Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswami this week praised the new policy, saying it could help attract new voters.
“The current Republican Party is not opposed to same-sex marriage at this convention.“ He said.
Ramaswami also touted the platform’s weak language on abortion, telling Megyn Kelly: “It’s not a federal issue.“ And Trump is “against federal abortion bans.”“ The new platform has removed the word “unborn.”“ He said abortion was a state issue, and while the state opposes late-term abortions, it said nothing about the morality of early abortions, which account for the vast majority of abortions.
“The Republican Party’s actual policy platform is very appealing to most Americans.“ Ramaswami said.
Denny Burke, director of the Center for Gospel Culture at Boyce College in Louisville, Kentucky, said the 2024 election is a “tipping point moment.”“ For social conservatives.
“Social conservatism has been marginalized within the Republican Party.“ “For the time being, their influence over the party will be minimal,” Burke said.
listen Vivek Gramaswamy Young liberal voters feel comfortable voting Republican because the Republican Party no longer opposes same-sex marriage or supports a federal ban on abortion.
This is a watershed moment. Social conservatism has been marginalized within the Republican Party. Their… pic.twitter.com/ZT3v908YbW
— Denny Burk (@DennyBurk) July 17, 2024
Brent Leatherwood, chairman of the Southern Baptist Convention’s Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, said Christians should not be silent on an issue the Bible is clear about.
“Even if political parties are unwilling to stand for the truth, Christians must hold fast to the gospel and God’s plan for the flourishing of our neighbors.“ Leatherwood Said Baptist Press. “The public speaking of the truth found in the Bible is needed now more than ever.”
Photo credit: ©Getty Images/Anna Moneymaker/staff
Michael Faust He has covered the intersection of faith and news for 20 years, and his work has appeared in Baptist Press, Christianity Today, Christian Post, Leaf Chronicle, Toronto Star and Knoxville News Sentinel.