RNC sticks to anti-gay marriage platform despite growing approval

LOS ANGELES — The Republican National Committee decided to keep opposition to gay marriage as a part of their official party platform despite Americans' record support for same sex couples.

Members attending the RNC's annual spring meeting in Hollywood voted unanimously to reaffirm the language in the GOP platform defining marriage "as the union of one man and one woman."

The resolution also confirmed its position asking the US Supreme Court to "uphold the sanctity of marriage in its rulings on Proposition 8 and the Federal Defense of Marriage Act."

It went on to describe heterosexual marriage as "the solid foundation upon which our society is built" and "the optimum environment in which to raise healthy children for the future of America."

Possibly aware of the symbolism of passing an anti-gay marriage vote in liberal Hollywood, one of the country's most gay friendly cities, the vote was kept quiet in private meeting Wednesday.

Earlier that day, a new Wall Street Journal/NBC poll confirmed record support for same sex marriage among the American public. The poll found that 53 percent of registered voters now support gay marriage, with 40 percent in opposition.

A majority of independents, 54 percent, back allowing same-sex couples to marry but 66 percent of Republicans oppose it.

Following President Barack Obama's November election victory, the Republican Party has been grappling with how to reach out to liberal voters on issues like same-sex marriage, abortion and immigration, without alienating its conservative base.

The party released a self-reflective "autopsy" last month that included plans to improve its outreach to minorities and young people.

"While we have to do things differently, there's one thing that can't and won't change: our principles," RNS chair Reince Priebus said in his keynote address before the end-of-meeting resolutions.

AFP contributed to this report.