FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 19, 2011

CONTACT: Mary Beth Hutchins at 703-683-5004

California Republican Party Votes to Maintain One Man-One Woman Marriage In Party Platform

San Marcos, CA –The Ruth Institute, a project of the National Organization for Marriage Education Fund, commended the California GOP today in response to their vote at the September 16-18 convention to maintain a strong defense of traditional marriage:

“The voters of California continue to make their defense of marriage as one man and one woman clear,” said Dr. Jennifer Morse, president of The Ruth Institute. “Even though there are those both inside and outside the party who are trying to sway Republicans in California on their stance on marriage, the California GOP sent a clear message this weekend: Don’t Mess With Marriage! It is only with a solid understanding of the value of marriage and the significance of the defense of it that a party can move forward to help protect it. More Californians voted for Prop 8 than for any Republican candidate in a long time. Supporting marriage as the union of a man and a woman is smart politics, as well as the right thing to do. We commend the California GOP and look forward to continued efforts by them to support marriage as the union of one man and one woman.”

As the Associated Press reports, “The proposed rewrite [of the party platform] states the party ‘supports traditional marriage,’ a significant retooling from 2008, when the platform said marriage should be defined as between a man and woman.” After considering a draft of a new platform that would have altered the language regarding traditional marriage, “in a close vote alarmed conservatives said the draft pushed by moderates would erase the party's traditional, conservative values. In a 60-55 vote Sunday, a party committee sidestepped those changes and adopted a slightly revised version of the party platform adopted in 2008,” reports AP.

To schedule an interview with Dr. Jennifer Roback Morse, please contact Mary Beth Hutchins (x105), [email protected] at 703-683-5004.

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