Is Same-Sex Marriage Compatible With Conservative Values?

What is Project Right Side?Project Right Side is a non-profit

think tank dedicated to providing political research and analysis.

Committed to improving political conditions for LGBT issues and convincing Republicans same-sex marriage can be a conservative value.

Launched by former Republican National Committee chairman Ken Mehlman in 2012.

Who is Ken Mehlman? Served as the 62nd

Republican National Committee Chairman and campaign manager for President Bush’s 2004 election.

Came out as gay to the Atlantic in 2012, stated that he would be devoting time to same-sex marriage activism.

Organized dozens of socially moderate Republicans to sign a prominent amicus brief against Prop 8 in 2013.

Hired at private equity firm KKR as the Head of Public Affairs in late 2013.

Why Same-Sex Marriage is a Conservative Value

“Maximizing freedom isn't the only conservative value enhanced by allowing civil marriage for same-gender couples. It will promote stability, responsibility and commitment -- family values that we often encourage in public policy.”

“Marriage encourages people to think beyond their own needs, to create loving households, to build a support network so people can be cared for in sickness, old age and hard times. “

– Ken Mehlman

Lots of Republicans Agree! "I support the right of all Americans to marry the person they love

and choose because I believe doing so promotes both values: it keeps politicians out of the most private and personal aspects of peoples’ lives – while also encouraging more families to form and more adults to make a lifetime commitment to one another.” – Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK)

"Same-sex couples should have the right to civil marriage. Our time on this earth is limited, I know that better than most. Life comes down to who you love and who loves you back— government has no place in the middle.” – Sen. Mark Kirk (R-IL)

"I have come to believe that if two people are prepared to make a lifetime commitment to love and care for each other in good times and in bad, the government shouldn’t deny them the opportunity to get married.” – Sen. Rob Portman (R-OH)

61% of young Republicans favor same-sex marriage

“Today, 61% of Republicans and Republican leaners under 30 favor same-sex marriage while just 35% oppose it. By contrast, just 27% of Republicans ages 50 and older favor allowing gays and lesbians to marry.”

– Pew Research Center

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