Secretary of Homeland Security Tom
Ridge addressed gay GOP group Log Cabin Republicans on Wednesday
night.
In comments to BuzzFeed
before his address, Ridge, a Republican and a former governor of
Pennsylvania, explained his reversal on marriage equality.
“Life, politics and government is a
journey, and our positions on issues as you go along that journey may
become more fully embedded or, because of circumstances or other
changes, they can change. As you know, when I was governor, I signed
[Pennsylvania's] Defense of Marriage Act. Since that time, frankly,
my point of view has evolved.”
Ridge co-signed an amicus brief
organized by Republicans urging the Supreme Court to declare
unconstitutional Proposition 8, California's now-defunct gay marriage
ban.
Ridge went on to chide Republicans who
dwell on social issues.
To win national elections Republicans
need to “be a more positive and compelling force for change in the
21st Century. You can't change government unless you win
elections. Our roots are conservative, but we should be far less –
not even far less – we oughtta quit being judgmental.”
“You may not agree with me on some of
these social issues,” Ridge said of Republicans, “but I want you
to respect them and don't make them the centerpiece of your political
agenda. They shouldn't be there, in my judgment.”