Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Illinois' GOP Chair Backs Same-Sex Marriage

Says it 'honors the best conservative principles'

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Jan 3, 2013 9:54 AM CST

(Newser) – Are Republicans changing their tune on gay marriage? Illinois Party Chairman Pat Brady is. He issued a statement yesterday saying that he's throwing his "full support" behind the state's pending marriage equality legislation, saying that it "honors the best conservative principles," the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

"More and more Americans understand that if two people want to make a lifelong commitment to each other, government should not stand in their way," Brady said. "It strengthens families and reinforces a key Republican value—that the law should treat all citizens equally." He also noted that the law preserved religious liberty by specifying that no church could be "required to perform a union with which it disagrees."

In this August 2009 file photo, newly-elected Illinois Republican Party Chairman Pat Brady acknowledges applause while at the Illinois State Fair during a Republican Day rally in Springfield, Ill.
In this August 2009 file photo, newly-elected Illinois Republican Party Chairman Pat Brady acknowledges applause while at the Illinois State Fair during a Republican Day rally in Springfield, Ill.   (AP Photo/Seth Perlman, File)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
My TakeCLICK BELOW TO VOTE
3%
5%
17%
59%
8%
7%
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 105 comments
TheJman
Jan 3, 2013 5:05 PM CST
The moral decay in this country is sickening.
Maddy
Jan 3, 2013 3:49 PM CST
I don't believe that the government should have anything to do with marriage.  I like how in some countries if a couple wants a union recognized by the government, they have a civil ceremony.  Then, if they want the union blessed by the church, they have a religious ceremony.  In that way, the government does not have anything to do with a religious issue.  
TedKing
Jan 3, 2013 3:26 PM CST
It is such a shame to see my society devolve into this mire. How dare anyone redefine nature and nature's law. Marriage is a union between a man and a woman. And to all of you Godless fools who mock God's law you will pay a terrible price in eternity.
 

NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Timelines   |   POPSUGAR Tech   |   Business Insider   |   HuffPost Entertainment   |   NewsOne