HOMO SAY WHAT? REPUBLICAN'S SUGGEST DROPPING OPPOSITION TO SAME SEX MARRIAGE

WASHINGTON (CNN) - Steve Schmidt, a key architect of John McCain's presidential campaign, is making his first public return to Washington a bold one.

Schmidt will use a speech Friday to Log Cabin Republicans, a gay rights group, to urge conservative Republicans to drop their opposition to same-sex marriage, CNN has learned.

"There is a sound conservative argument to be made for same-sex marriage," Schmidt will say, according to speech excerpts obtained by CNN. "I believe conservatives, more than liberals, insist that rights come with responsibilities. No other exercise of one's liberty comes with greater responsibilities than marriage."

Schmidt makes both policy and political arguments for a Republican embrace of same-sex marriage.

On the policy front, Schmidt likens the fight for gay rights to civil rights and women's rights, and he admonishes conservatives who argue for the protection of the unborn as a God-given right, but against protections for same-sex couples.

"It cannot be argued that marriage between people of the same sex is un American or threatens the rights of others," he says in the speech. "On the contrary, it seems to me that denying two consenting adults of the same sex the right to form a lawful union that is protected and respected by the state denies them two of the most basic natural rights affirmed in the preamble of our Declaration of Independence — liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

Politically, he will say that becoming more open and accepting is critical to reversing an alarming trend for Republicans — a shrinking coalition. He will note that Republicans should be especially concerned that McCain got crushed by Barack Obama among voters under 30, who are generally more accepting of gay couples and at odds with the GOP.

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This maybe the smartest thing the Republican Party has suggested in a VERY long time. They are losing voters under 30 and the face of the party is Rush Limbaugh...with those apples, it looks like they need a big agenda reform in order to compete in the next general election. Taking a progressive stance on this issue puts them inside today's world instead of fumbling around with old world morals and ideals.

I saw an interview with Judge Judy the other day on a morning talk show. She believes once the "older generation" dies off, the whole idea of gay marriage will be settled because it isn't the 30 and under generation who has issue with same sex marriage, it is the older conservatives who are holding back the progression. Simply, they were raised with the religious idea that homosexuality is wrong and they shouldn't support anything that involves this type of "deviant behavior."

What I hope we (and when I say "we" I mean the LGBT community and its supporters) can stand up and say, we want this now, not when all you old folks die off. This issue is just as important as blacks and women getting their equal civil rights. And it is funny that those two groups are some of the many who now look down on same sex marriage. Having equal rights in healthcare, hospital visitation, money sharing, etc. is a right of a heterosexual world - thus discriminating against the homosexual community.

I'm not sure what it will take to get this type of legislation passed, I just want to take part in getting it finally resolved. I welcome ideas on how to unite those who are with me on this issue!