With so many equal rights protections having been built upon the base of the 1973 Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision, many across the country are now nervous that other basic institutions will be affected now that that pivotal cornerstone has been abruptly discarded.
Perhaps chief among those is the hard-won right to marriage for same-sex couples.
But while denial of abortion rights is a nearly hardline stance held across the country by the right-wing, it appears there’s at least a contingent that wishes to insure that same-sex marriage rights remain in place.
To that end, a group of over 400 Republican leaders have written a letter to the U.S. Senate, calling on the governing body to legislate a clear codification of same-sex marriage rights.
“We call on the U.S. Senate to pass the Respect for Marriage Act and reaffirm that marriage for gay and lesbian couples is settled law,” the letter reads. “Passing the Respect for Marriage Act will remove any uncertainty for the more than one million Americans who are building families, taking on the responsibilities and commitment associated with marriage, and caring for the one they love.”
“As Republicans and conservatives, we believe strong families and lasting relationships strengthen communities, and civil marriage is a fundamental freedom central to individual liberty and the pursuit of happiness. We stand with the 71 percent of Americans today, including a majority of registered Republicans, who support the freedom to marry for all Americans,” the letter continues.
A recent Gallup poll showed that 71% of Americans support same-sex marriage, and that number includes 55% of Republican respondents.
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