There’s something happening here . . .

The 1960’s rock classic “For What it’s Worth” by Buffalo Springfield still rings true today:

“There’s something happening here
But what it is ain’t exactly clear . . .”

Whoever thought we would see a conservative icon making the conservative case for same-sex marriage in an ad for Freedom to Marry? Freedom to Marry launches national TV ad featuring Republican Sen. Alan Simpson:

[J]ust days before the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals kicks off a wave of hearings and rulings on the freedom to marry at the appellate level, Freedom to Marry released a national television ad featuring former U.S. Senator Alan Simpson of Wyoming. In the 30-second spot, Simpson, a Republican, makes the conservative case for marriage for same-sex couples and cites his own decades-long marriage to his wife.

In the ad, Sen. Simpson says, “I’m a Republican, and the party’s basic core is government out of your life and the right to be left alone. Whether you’re gay or lesbian or straight, if you love someone, and you want to marry them – marry them … Live and let live. It is very simple.

The ad begins airing April 8 on national cable, network Sunday political shows in Washington, D.C., and in the TV markets for Colorado, Oklahoma, and Wyoming.

Watch the ad:

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BnCBYGsbpk0]

Sen. Simpson’s comments are especially moving this week, since on Thursday, the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals will hear oral arguments in a federal lawsuit seeking the freedom to marry in Utah. Next Thursday, April 17, an appeal in a similar case seeking the freedom to marry in Oklahoma will be heard. The 10th Circuit Court of Appeals encompasses six states – Colorado, Kansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Utah, and Wyoming – and the ruling in this case could affect all six states.

* * *

Previously, Sen. Simpson joined 20 other prominent Western Republicans in signing an amicus brief in the Utah case (Kitchen v. Herbert) and Oklahoma case (Bishop v. Smith). The brief explained that “marriage is strengthened” and that “the social stability of the family unit are promoted” when same-sex couples are free to marry.

Learn more about the freedom to marry at the 10th Circuit at 10thCircuit.org.

And then there is this report from POLITICO Tiger Beat on the Potomac, Billionaires push GOP on gay rights:

Republican billionaires Paul Singer [founder and CEO of hedge fund Elliott Management Corporation and The Paul E. Singer Foundation] and Seth Klarman [founder of the Baupost Group private investment partnership] are supporting gay rights activists in a $2.2 million campaign to get the Republican-controlled House to extend workplace protections to the LGBT community.

An umbrella group called Americans for Workplace Opportunity wants a vote on [the ENDA] bill passed by the Senate before the end of the year.

“We really see this as an important piece of unfinished business for LGBT workers and people around the country,” said Campbell Spencer, who is managing the campaign.

Human Rights Campaign has contributed $1.36 million to the campaign while Singer and Klarman have each put up $375,000 to pay for the effort. Spencer said that another major donor is expected to be announced in the near term.

The Senate passed the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) last November.

Currently, the House bill has 202 co-sponsors. Only six Republicans are signed on as co-sponsors. Rep. Tom Reed (R-N.Y.) has also voiced his support of the measure.

Spencer said the group’s goal is to demonstrate they have the 218 supporters needed for passage and then work with House GOP leadership to get it to the floor and passed. The group is already having a “tactical conversation about how best to move to passage,” according to Spencer.

[T]he campaign is already getting some traction from Colorado Republican Rep. Mike Coffman.

That Coffman is one of the first Republicans coming out in support of ENDA is no surprise, and it highlights another step in his political evolution. The Colorado Republican has reversed positions on immigration and abortion in recent months as he tries to fend off an challenge from Democrat Andrew Romanoff in Colorado’s competitive sixth district.

“I see this legislation as the workplace equivalent of the Golden Rule — do unto others, as you would have them do unto you,” Coffman said in a statement to POLITICO. “In the workplace, in 2014, we should judge employees the way we would want to be judged — based on our qualifications, our contributions and by our character, period.”

Americans for Workplace Opportunity played a major role in the Senate passage of the bill. It would be a significant victory for gay rights advocates on Capitol Hill if the House takes up the measure.

Spencer said they are employing a similar grassroots and grass tops strategy.

“Our field campaign is the heart of our strategy and absolutely is what lead to the success in the Senate. We are duplicating it in the House,” Spencer said. “Each district has its own plan that’s tailored specifically to that member.”

* * *

The group has more than 30 field organizers on the ground in seven states and has engaged eight Republican-leaning public affairs firms. Over the past month, the campaign has driven more than 1,000 calls to members district offices, sent post cards and held several district meetings. And, they have plans in the coming weeks to hold more than 100 volunteer engagement events, including 56 canvassing events, 43 phone bank events and 14 other events and community meetings in priority districts.

In addition to Spencer, who previously served as in the Obama administration, public relations firm Granite Integrated Strategies’ Kristen Hawn and Ali Harden have been brought on to assist with media strategy.

Other groups involved in the group include Log Cabin Republicans, AFSCME, ACLU and the SEIU.

You can always volunteer to work for your Local Arizona Human Rights Campaign,  Arizona Freedom to Marry, and Why Marriage Matters Arizona.