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Indiana Republicans will meet for their state convention in Evansville, this weekend.
Republicans will reportedly consider changes to their party platform, including taking out language that defines marriage as between a man and a woman.
Republicans are debating changes in their party stance, including specific language about marriage and families. But the proposal is facing serious backlash from conservatives within the state party.
The American Family Association derides the debate over marriage and family in the party platform for its attempt at inclusivity. Indiana House Speaker Brian Bosma, and other key Indiana conservatives, argue the party should not ‘betray value voters,’ especially in Vice President Mike Pence’s home state.
Other Indiana Republican party members argue the language helps broaden the party base.
Megan Robertson is a political consultant, and is one of Republicans pushing to remove the man and woman definition from the Indiana Republican Party. Robertson has been active in Republican politics for over a decade, and managed the Freedom Indiana campaign to stop a constitutional ban on gay marriage. She is also gay and says the new language is an improvement to the party platform.
The newly proposed language states, “We believe that strong families are the foundation of society and that such families bring forth citizens capable of self-government as well as properly motivated public servants so essential for a successful republic. We support the traditional families with a mother and father, blended families, grandparents, guardians, single parents and all loving adults who successfully raise and nurture children to reach their full potential everyday.”
Any chance for an amendment to the wording will likely come at the 2018 Indiana Republican State Convention in Evansville, Saturday, June 9.
