Young people not as divided on same-sex marriage as leaders

TUSCALOOSA, Alabama -- Though many people have stood shouting on opposite sides of the same-sex marriage divide today following the Supreme Court ruling against the Defense of Marriage Act, Alabama young people on both sides of the political spectrum are showing that same-sex marriage may be as much of a generational issue as it is political and religious.

While overall support for gay marriage in America has risen significantly in the past decade and support for gay marriage among every generation is increasing, more young people consistently side with legalizing gay marriage than any other generation.

In a March 2013 Washington Post/ABC poll, 81 percent of those 18-29 believed gay marriage should be legalized.

Even though some young conservatives don't fall into that 81 percent, more and more young Republicans are calling for moderacy from their leaders in office in fear that harsh campaigns against social issues will alienate the public.

Stephanie Petelos, chairwoman of the College Republican Federation of Alabama and former president of the University of Alabama College Republicans, said she was frustrated with the harsh statements and religious rhetoric from Republican leaders. 

Petelos said she believed most college students' views on social issues differ from that of the GOP, and that the continued emphasis the party places on religion gets in the way of issues young people could get behind, like the economy.

While religious rhetoric has a small place in government due to politicians' personal beliefs and moral codes, Petelos said their arguments often don't fly with students who identify as Republican because of political issues, not because they're Christian.

"The majority of students don't derive the premise of their argument for or against gay marriage from religion, because we're governed by the constitution and not the Bible," Petelos said.

"I think a lot of people would be actively for it if they didn't live in fear of backlash from party leaders," she said. "We don't want to go against the party, we love the party. We're just passionate about a whole list of other issues, that's why we're involved."

Noah Cannon, a University of Alabama student and president of Spectrum, UA's LGBTQ student group, said he was overjoyed with the Supreme Court's decision, though he believes it is just one component of a "huge tapestry of battles being waged for LGBTQ people in this country".

Cannon hopes a more open dialogue will be fostered by the Court's decision, which will in turn translate to more rights and protections for LGBTQ people.

Cannon said he sees more and more young people, Democrats and Republicans, be vocal in their support for LGBT rights and believes the ALGOP's unwavering stance is harmful.

"If the Alabama Republicans continue their refusal to support LGBTQ people, it will absolutely hurt them and the state in the long run," Cannon said. "I'm optimistic that as these young people take up their fight in Montgomery, Alabama policy will change to be more LGBTQ-inclusive sooner rather than later."

Petelos agrees, stating she showed several GOP statements to classmates Wednesday morning who were shocked by language used.

"The rhetoric is harmful to the party," Petelos said. "The harsh language used by our leaders will really continue pushing and turning people away from learning about our party."

Petelos said she supports an argument of states' rights in the debate, but said conservatives' statements that same-sex marriage is the decline of fundamental family values are  unfounded.

"Kids who don't have fathers, parents without education who aren't able to give their kids the opportunities they deserve, that's the decline in America that people need to talk about," she said. "Those are the social issues in this country that are hurting us. Not two people who love each other and are trying to build a life together. That's not going to ruin America."