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The Associated Press issued a memo earlier this month, saying that in published pieces, it's preferable to refer to Americans in same-sex marriages as "couples" or "partners," not "husbands" or "wifes." The media giant's memo didn't say why.
Yesterday, after fielding quite a bit of criticism, the AP changed its mind. "Regardless of sexual orientation, 'husband' or 'wife' is acceptable in all references to individuals in any legally recognized marriage," the AP's Stylebook now reads.
The media giant isn't the only one evolving on the issue. Former Utah governor and failed Republican presidential candidate Jon Huntsman published a piece yesterday -- in The American Conservative, no less -- making the case for marriage equality.
[C]onservatives should start to lead again and push their states to join the nine others that allow all their citizens to marry. I've been married for 29 years. My marriage has been the greatest joy of my life. There is nothing conservative about denying other Americans the ability to forge that same relationship with the person they love. [...]
The party of Lincoln should stand with our best tradition of equality and support full civil marriage for all Americans.
Huntsman added that this is "the right thing to do."
His piece was published the same day Washington Post's Jennifer Rubin, a prominent Republican pundit, ran a piece of her own reminding her party it's time the GOP realizes it's "lost" the debate.
The arc of history is starting to bend towards justice with increasing speed.
I imagine it'll be several more years before Republican leaders move towards the American mainstream on this issue in great numbers. But here's a detail to keep in mind: about a year ago at this time, the top tier of the Republican presidential field was eager to tell their party's primary/caucus voters that they not only oppose marriage equality, they also endorse an anti-gay constitutional amendment.
Care to guess whether we'll see an identical dynamic in advance of the 2016 race? I have a strong hunch 2012 was the last cycle of its kind, and the next Republican field will stick to "it's a state issue," while dodging questions about a constitutional amendment.
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If you stand in the middle and look outwards, it sure looks like a Center-Left country. God bless America.
But if you stand on the edge and look inward at only what you want to see... well, then you probably see the world through the lens of FOX News.
Good for Huntsman following his conscience instead of his fears. He's a lonely Mormon.
He's not the only one. I'm very open about being a Mormon and a Democrat, and I and my grandparents (both in their 70's, both lifelong, devout Latter-day Saints, and the only people I know who are more liberal than I am) all support marriage equality in the eyes of the law. The the standards we set for ourselves as a result of our faith govern only our own behavior, and it's wrong to use the law to force those standards on people whose beliefs differ from our own.
I really like Huntsman, wish he'd come over to our side.
This is all long past due. I am glad to see this change happening.
I imagine it'll be several more years before Republican leaders move towards the American mainstream on this issue in great numbers.
The GOP will be extinct long before that ever happens.
If Huntsman had been the GOP Presidential candidate the election may have had a different outcome. He's a moderate I could stomach in the White House. Pity the Tea Baggers drove him out of the race.
I agree with you, Missy. I'm always impressed with this intelligent and moderate man. My sense is that, if he were the candidate, we could actually have some meaningful and productive debate on political issues in the country. One lives in hope.
Huntsman will sadly never get the candidacy because he believes in marriage equality and agrees with science.
A repub with real morals? He will never get elected to any office again. Pity.
If God himself accepts the gay community, then why shouldn't the entire world do the same.
the AP's Stylebook also says that the word "dog" may now be used instead of "canine."
Pooch, Fido, and Man's Best Friend are still no-nos.
I know my dog is actually my Grandmother. Still looking over me.
Jon Huntsman is such a good man, he needs to be recruited to Dems side. :D
Before we get too giddy about Huntsman, take a gander at some of his other positions. I applaud the man for this stance which is amazing for a Morman, but a Huntsman Presidency would tilt everything towards the wealthy and management.
That Huntsman could never be the frontrunner for the GOP nom is the most concise summary of what is now wrong with the Republican party.
Jon Huntsman was the only candidate who could have beaten President Obama, It would even have made me think about who to vote for last year. As it was the GOP made it really easy.
I remember 8 years ago, when my oldest friend in the world came out in public about himself, when he and his partner attended the reunion of our high school. The two of them have been together longer than all three of my marriages, the most recent one of which is for financial reasons between two older adults who have no plans of procreating or anything else the defenders of "traditional marriage" are defending, yet our marriage is perfectly legal, since it is between a man and a woman. And when it comes to "... in sickness and in health..." my oldest friend and his partner are the very demonstration of the term as they deal with his cancer.
It's long past time to stop this fundamentalist crap.
I think Huntsman is in the closet. It's time he came out and admitted to what we've all suspected for a while now. Namely, that he's no Republican. The truth will set you free John. Closets are for jackets, Catholic priests, and conservative members of congress.
If only he had more sway in the Republican Party. Viewed cynically, this will help his own image a bit with independents, but he already stood a snowball's chance in hell of winning the GOP primary for President. What's he trying for, then? Either he should leave, become an Independent or Democrat and run as one (not necessarily for President), or he's just wasting his time.
I can't believe I'm following a link to a Jennifer Rubin piece...
I don't know any same-sex couple that uses the term husband or wife, but if they do (and I'm sure there are some), their personal use should trump any style guide.
I use spouse, personally, to refer to my significant other in my domestic partnership of nearly fourteen years.