The U.S. Supreme Court is set to hear arguments on the legality of same-sex marriage later this month, and a group of young conservatives is pushing to change the Republican Party platform on gay marriage.
The group Young Conservatives for the Freedom to Marry is launching an effort to change the GOP platform on same-sex marriage.
"We would like to see language that is more inclusive, that gives people a sense that there can be dialogue on the issue," says group member Ed Lopez.
He worries that the polarizing issue is not only dividing party members, but distracting them from focusing on other policy changes they would like to see made.
Member Nina Verghese says the group aims to discuss this issue with the Republican platform committee that will be meeting in 2016. She says their goal is to educate them on the issue and show that Republicans from across the country are changing their outlook on the issue.
According to Lopez, the base is moving rapidly toward supporting marriage equality, with 61% of conservatives under age 30 supporting it.
"I think at the end of the day, we want both parties to support the freedom to marry," Verghese says.
If the party doesn't change its stance in its platform, Verghese says the group will continue to fight for this issue. And Lopez says refusing to take part in a dialogue about the issue could cost it young voters.
"If we want to grow as a party, we're going to have to come together on this issue and find a way to agree to disagree," Verghese says.
You can watch group members describe their support for the issue below:
