Clint Eastwood Signs His Name As A Republican Supporting Gay Marriage

On March 26th, the US Supreme Court is due to hear a case which will decide whether California’s Proposition 8 – which barred gay people from marrying in the state – is constitutional. It’s one of two major cases on gay unions (the other related to DOMA, which bars the federal government from recognising same sex unions) SCOTUS will be hearing in the next few weeks.

Because of this a number of people have been coming out publicly for or against gay marriage, with many signing briefs to be sent to the Supreme Court, giving their thoughts on the matter. Among those who’ve submitted letters to the court opposing Prop 8 are Ellen Degeneres and, in a last minute move, President Obama.

Now one more prominent name has come forward to lend his name to the pro-equal marriage cause – Clint Eastwood. Many are surprised he’s done this, as he’s well known to be a Republican, a party not known for its love of anything gay. While Eastwood has previously expressed personal sentiments that the government shouldn’t be so bothered about gay people’s lives, it’s still surprised some that he’s personally added his name to a list of over 100 prominent Republicans backing gay marriage.

It also put him on the same side as the President, despite his infamous talking to an invisible Obama performance at last year’s Republican National Convention.

Others on the list include four former state governors, and numerous former mayors (Clint amongst them, as he was once Mayor of Carmel, California). It’s noticeable though that there are relatively few currently elected officials on the list, with the assumption being that any who did come out publicly in support of gay marriage would harm their future election chances, no matter what they privately think.

All eyes will now be on the Supreme Court for its decisions, which could shape the future of equal marriage in the US. While many believe there’s enough support amongst the justices to get Prop 8 ruled unconstitutional, a defeat could set the cause back years. Let’s cross our fingers. (Source: ABC News)