GOP Establishment Throws Support Behind Same-Sex Marriage
For decades there has been an ongoing campaign to normalize the LGBTQ lifestyle in media and culture. From "Will and Grace" to having an entire month dedicated to 'Pride' in their sexuality, America has largely accepted the gay lifestyle. Less than 30 years since the "Defense of Marriage Act" was signed by Democrat President Bill Clinton, the GOP establishment has taken a full 180-degree turn on their views of marriage. With 47 Republicans voting with Democrats in the House, the Senate remained the only option for Republicans to prevent the U.S. government from codifying same-sex marriage. Three senators confirmed they will vote for the bill: Susan Collins (R-ME), Rob Portman (R-OH) and Thom Tillis (R-NC) having announced to reporters that they would in fact vote for the "Respect for Marriage Act." Now, a list of over 400 GOP officials have signed a letter showing their support for the bill. "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. This reveals a huge swing in the Republican party's stance on gay marriage. In a twist of irony, many of the Republicans who support this deviation from the biblical standard of marriage claim to be Christians. While some Republicans, like Susan Collins, are teaming up with Democrats to swing more Republican votes in the Senate, others like Ted Cruz are voting against the bill due to his reservations about religious liberties being affected. Other Republican candidates, like Pennsylvania Senate candidate Dr. Mehmet Oz, and Colorado Senate nominee Joe O'dea have pledged their support to the bill. Pew Research polls have catalogued this change in opinion over the years, and Christians are included in the data. In 2007 only 37% of Americans approved of same sex marriage. Fast-forward to 2015 when the Supreme Court legalized it in all 50 states and the percentage jumped to 57%. In 2019, that number reached 61%. These numbers are corroborated by the number of Christian denominations that not only accept same-sex marriage, but also allow their clergy to live a LGBTQ lifestyle. This acceptance of worldly living has caused many rifts within the American church, including the more recent split in the United Methodist church. Many in the evangelical and charismatic communities are left feeling isolated and even betrayed by the Republican politicians who were supposed to stand for traditional, conservative, Christian values. Republicans likely could not handle another split within the party, like it has been dealing with in recent years. Between the founding of the "Lincoln Project" and anti-Trump Republicans putting their agenda against one man ahead of their constituents, the infighting would draw attention away from a rapidly approaching election cycle that could see Congress swing red. One lesson politicians have found out recently is that if their constituents don't feel they are being listened to, they will vote them out. Out of the 10 Republicans who voted to impeach then-President Trump, only two made it past their primaries. The people want their voices to be heard, and Republican politicians should take note. 
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