Ken Mehlman, the former chair of the
Republican National Committee (RNC), has launched a new effort to
recruit conservatives to support gay marriage.
Mehlman came out gay in 2010, saying he
wanted to work on the issue.
In an op-ed published in the Wall
Street Journal, Mehlman argues that marriage equality is a
conservative value.
“Some misperceive the issue of
marriage equality as exclusively progressive,” Mehlman said. “Yet
what could be more conservative than support for more freedom and
less government? And what freedom is more basic than the right to
marry the person you love? Smaller, less intrusive government surely
includes an individual deciding whom to marry. Allowing civil
marriage for same-sex couples will cultivate community stability,
encourage fidelity and commitment, and foster family values.”
“Conservatives don't need to change
core convictions to embrace the growing support for equal rights for
gay Americans. It is sufficient to recognize the inherent
conservatism in citizens' desire to marry, to be judged on their
work, and not to be singled out for higher taxes or bullying at
school. These objectives can be achieved while also protecting
religious liberty, as demonstrated by states enacting civil marriage
with exemptions for religious institutions.”
Mehlman will continue to make his case
to conservatives through his new non-profit, Project
Right Side.