The tides are turning on Republican views on same-sex marriage, and University party members say it is an invitation for new members, but could lead to a potential loss of the base.
On Monday, about 130 members of the GOP signed a legal document urging the Supreme Court to allow same-sex couples to marry.
Former New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson, General Counsel to Romney for President Katie Biber and Florida Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen were some of the Republicans to sign the letter.
The legal document applies to the Proposition 8 case that revoked same-sex marriage in California and will be heard by the Supreme Court on March 26.
The Obama administration followed suit but did not ask justices to give the right to the entire country.
College Republicans member and civil engineering senior Kenneth Lirette said the move might stem from the party trying to appeal to a younger generation of potential Republicans.
“They might be trying to follow the Democratic move to try to call on young people with social issues like the last election,” Lirette said.
The Pew Research Center’s Feb. 7 polls indicated the number of Americans who support same sex marriage is growing, given that 43 percent of Americans oppose same sex marriage while 48 percent support it. In 2001, 35 percent supported it and 57 percent opposed it.
Media Director of College Democrats and mass communication junior Joe Green said the Republicans made the decision so Democrats would not completely own the issue.
“I think the Republicans made this move because they realized by the polling data that they won’t win big elections if they don’t,” Green said.
Lirette said even though several Republicans signed the document, he does not think the tenants of the party are changing, and the decision might make the party seem “flip-floppy” on the issue.
“My grandparents and my parents are very conservative and this would be a turn-off to them. For the GOP to change on a fundamental belief like that, it’s a definite turn-off,” Lirette said.
Green said he believes strong Republicans will still vote red, regardless of this progressive shift.
Biology senior Brandon Toy said he was pleased by the decision.
“There was political vigor to support equality. [The Republicans] went against what they had been standing for and saw the other side,” Toy said.
College Republicans Vice President and history and political science senior Tiffany Lemons said the party needed the move and it could help erase stereotypes.
“It is necessary in order for the party to grow and move toward tolerance and equality for all people,” Lemons said.
Psychology junior Armand Link said he thinks further legislation for equality will be passed.
“The Republican Party needs to evolve if they want to survive, but it is hard to see where things are going,” Link said. “It’s definitely the beginning of something, but the direction is yet to be said.”
“I think the Republicans made this move because they realized by the polling data that they won’t win big elections if they don’t.”
