A growing number of Republicans and Democrats alike have come out in support of gay marriage over the past month. Republican Senator Mark Kirk and Democratic Senator Tom Carper of Delaware both announced their support for same-sex marriage on Tuesday.
Both Kirk and Carper join a growing list of supporters for full equality under the law. Among the new supporters over the last month include:
- Singer Marie Osmond
- Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton
- Senator Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.)
- Senator Rob Portman (R-Oh.)
- Senator Bob Casey (D-Pa.)
Despite the new support from unlikely allies, the anti-marriage equality movement continues to push their agenda. Rick Santorum claimed gay marriage started with "Will & Grace" in the 1990s, despite pro-marriage equality protests as early as 1971.
Arizona State Representative Matt Salmon, a Republican whose son is gay, continues to fight against equality. Fox News favorite Dr. Alan Keyes recently claimed gay marriage is the "archetype of all crimes against humanity." Sue Everhart, Chairwoman of the Georgia Republican Party, came out in support of groups such as the National Organization for Marriage, a Southern Poverty Law Center hate group.
These individuals appear to be outliers, not the mainstream in their views. Jon Huntsman Jr., the former Ambassador to China, has urged Republicans to support same-sex marriage. Karl Rove, the architect of the election and reelection of President Bush, said he can see a candidate in the GOP supporting marriage equality in 2016.
With two key cases before the Supreme Court dealing with gay rights and marriage equality, the issue has become a topic of conversation amongst supporters and detractors alike. As a result, polling continues to show support for marriage equality growing at a rapid rate.
At this point, full marriage equality appears to be a only a matter of time.
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