Newt Gingrich's call for a Republican
reality check on gay marriage has been lauded by gay GOP group Log
Cabin Republicans.
Gingrich, the former House Speaker and
a leading candidate for the 2012 GOP presidential nomination, told
The Huffington Post on Thursday that he's prepared to accept
“a legal document issued by the state” for gay and lesbian
couples.
Gingrich added that momentum is on the
side of supporters and that he fears the issue could hurt the
Republican Party, whose official platform opposes the legalization of
marriage equality.
(Related: Newt
Gingrich says it's time to accept the reality of gay marriage.)
R. Clarke Cooper, executive director of
Log Cabin Republicans, lauded Gingrich's change of heart on the
issue.
“Log Cabin Republicans welcome former
Speaker Newt Gingrich's remarks calling for a Republican reality
check on marriage,” Cooper said in a statement. “Gingrich speaks
for many Republicans who are concerned about our party's future, and
who are ready to accept the freedom to marry matters to many
Americans, gay and straight. As Gingrich noted, LGBT people
are part of every family and every community, and the time has come
for greater inclusion. It is particularly important and welcome to
hear that Gingrich now understands the difference between church
ceremonies and a civil marriage license, and that equality is no
threat to religious freedom.”