UPDATED: GOP Committee Votes to Keep Constitutional Amendment Banning Same-Sex Marriage in Platform
A Move to ‘States Rights’ Had Been Expected
Members of the Republican National Committee have just voted to keep a call for a ban on same-sex marriage in their 2016 national platform. They have also voted to define marriage as only the union of one man and one woman, and retain language that supports the concept of children “born and raised by a mother and father in the home” as being the best environment.
GOP votes to keep in language calling for a constitutional amendment on same sex marriage
— Ben Jacobs (@Bencjacobs) July 11, 2016
Platform subcommittee passes amendment defining “traditional marriage†as between “husband and wife”
— Igor Bobic (@igorbobic) July 11, 2016
GOP platform amendment to define marriage as between one man and one woman passes by voice vote
— Zeke Miller (@ZekeJMiller) July 11, 2016
Effort to strip highlighted section fails pic.twitter.com/xmuIoDLmtX
— Zeke Miller (@ZekeJMiller) July 11, 2016
GOP platform committee votes down effort to strike language stating that “every child deserves a married mom and dadâ€
— Igor Bobic (@igorbobic) July 11, 2016
 This debate was lost:
Committee debating the best place to raise a child, between a “mother and father†or “in a loving and stable homeâ€
— Igor Bobic (@igorbobic) July 11, 2016
Discussion right now: “It is true that biological parents are the best, but that doesn’t say adopted isn’t good.”
— Igor Bobic (@igorbobic) July 11, 2016
KIds deserve “married mom and dad” language prevails
— Liz Goodwin (@lizcgoodwin) July 11, 2016
Earlier Monday morning subcommittees voted for amendments that call for to the Bible being taught in schools, and transgender people to use the restroom of the gender they were assigned at birth.
Final platform language will have to be voted on by the GOP at their convention July 18-21.
UPDATE: 12:33 PM –
Via The New York Times:
Current approved language includes this (bolding ours):
“The data and the facts lead to an inescapable conclusion: that every child deserves a married mom and dad. The reality remains that millions of American families do not have the advantages that come with that structure. We honor the courageous efforts of those who bear the burdens of parenting alone and embrace the principle that all Americans should be treated with dignity and respect. But respect is not enough. Our laws and our government’s regulations should recognize marriage as the union of one man and one woman and actively promote married family life as the basis of a stable and prosperous society. For that reason, as explained elsewhere in the platform, we do not accept the Supreme Court’s redefinition of marriage and we urge its reversal, whether through judicial reconsideration or a constitutional amendment returning control over marriage to states.â€
Â
Â
Image by Elvert Barnes via Flickr and a CC license
Enjoy this piece?
… then let us make a small request. The New Civil Rights Movement depends on readers like you to meet our ongoing expenses and continue producing quality progressive journalism. Three Silicon Valley giants consume 70 percent of all online advertising dollars, so we need your help to continue doing what we do.
NCRM is independent. You won’t find mainstream media bias here. From unflinching coverage of religious extremism, to spotlighting efforts to roll back our rights, NCRM continues to speak truth to power. America needs independent voices like NCRM to be sure no one is forgotten.
Every reader contribution, whatever the amount, makes a tremendous difference. Help ensure NCRM remains independent long into the future. Support progressive journalism with a one-time contribution to NCRM, or click here to become a subscriber. Thank you. Click here to donate by check.