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Little Backlash as Gay Marriage Spreads

By Kevin Spak, Newser Staff

Posted Apr 22, 2009 2:01 PM CDT

(Newser) – Gay marriage rights are spreading faster than ever, and it’s happening awfully quietly, reports Rick Klein of ABC News. Conservatives barely made a peep when gay marriage was legalized in Iowa or Vermont, and aren’t mounting much resistance to motions to do the same in New York, Connecticut, or New Hampshire. “It’s almost like the silence is deafening,” said one GOP pollster.

That’s no doubt in part because the changes are coming at the state level, without President Obama or Congress’ involvement. But it also appears that the social conservatives in the GOP are giving way to the fiscal conservatives. Utah’s Republican governor recently came out in favor of civil unions, and McCain adviser Steve Schmidt recently urged Republicans to embrace gay marriage, saying there was a “strong conservative argument to be made” for it.

Gay marriage advocate Beth Robinson, center, holds back tears following the passage of a gay marriage bill in Montpelier, Vt., Tuesday, April 7, 2009. (AP Photo/Toby Talbot)

Sharon Papo, left, kisses her partner Amber Weiss, right, before their wedding at City Hall in San Francisco, Tuesday, June 17, 2008. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg)

Peggy Staley, of Charter Oak, Iowa, holds a sign during an anti-gay marriage rally, Monday, April 13, 2009, at the Statehouse in Des Moines, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

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Pawlenty Won't Sign Iowa Marriage Vow

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

religious right • gay marriage • civil union • social conservatives • conservatives

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Pawlenty Won't Sign Iowa Marriage Vow

He joins Romney in rebuffing pledge backed by Bachmann

Civil Unions Now Legal in Delaware

Governor Jack Markell signs bill in party-like ceremony

Holder Bars Deportation of Gay Man in Civil Union

With DOMA in question, Eric Holder wants case reviewed

Hawaii Governor Signs Civil Unions Into Law

Becomes 7th state to recognize legal status

Rick Santorum Could Be GOP's Savior

George Will: Nobody can energize social conservatives better

About Us

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Newser By Users

Community

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What is Newser?