Former New York City Mayor Rudy
Giuliani and Senators Susan Collins of Maine and Mark Kirk of
Illinois are among the more than 300 Republicans who have signed on
to an amicus brief urging the Supreme Court to strike down gay
marriage bans.
The highest court on Thursday announced
that it would hear a case challenging bans in four states – Ohio,
Tennessee, Michigan and Kentucky – on April 28, with a ruling
expected in June.
Such bans are “inconsistent with
amici's understanding of the properly limited role of
government,” the brief states.
“Although amici hold a broad
spectrum of socially and politically conservative, moderate, and
libertarian views, amici share the view that laws that bar same-sex
couples from the institution of civil marriage, with all its
attendant profoundly important rights and responsibilities, are
inconsistent with the United States Constitution’s dual promises of
equal protection and due process.”
The brief was organized by former
Republican National Committee (RNC) Chairman Ken Mehlman, who said in
2010 that he came out gay to help the conservative case for marriage
equality.
(Related: Ken
Mehlman insists gay marriage is consistent with GOP values.)
Other notables who signed the brief
include Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker, former Utah Governor
Jon Huntsman and GOP donor David Koch.
TIME.com has the full
list of signatories.