Illinois Republican Party rejects same-sex marriage in platform
Mon. May 23, 2016 10:44 AM by GoPride.com News Staff
Illinois Republicans remain party of 'marriage between one man and one woman'
Peoria, IL -
Meeting in Peoria on Friday, delegates to the state GOP convention voted overwhelmingly to retain a plank in the party platform that defines marriages between a man and a woman.
A proposed change to the party platform said diverse opinions were welcomed and "that non-traditional families are worthy of the same respect and legal protections as traditional families."
Those against a change said the issue was still important to Republican politicians facing off against conservative Democrats in their districts.
"If there's no distinguishing factor between the Democrats and us, how do I win? How do the downstate Republicans win?" said Illinois State Rep. Terri Bryant (R-Mt. Vernon).
After a contentious and heated debate, eighty percent of the 978 delegates in attendance voted to leave the official Illinois Republican Party platform to read: "ideal environment for children is within a two-parent family based on the principle of marriage between one man and one woman."
Gov. Bruce Rauner refused to weigh in on the issue.
A proposed change to the party platform said diverse opinions were welcomed and "that non-traditional families are worthy of the same respect and legal protections as traditional families."
Those against a change said the issue was still important to Republican politicians facing off against conservative Democrats in their districts.
"If there's no distinguishing factor between the Democrats and us, how do I win? How do the downstate Republicans win?" said Illinois State Rep. Terri Bryant (R-Mt. Vernon).
After a contentious and heated debate, eighty percent of the 978 delegates in attendance voted to leave the official Illinois Republican Party platform to read: "ideal environment for children is within a two-parent family based on the principle of marriage between one man and one woman."
Gov. Bruce Rauner refused to weigh in on the issue.