Anti-gay group praises Paul Ryan's 'pro-marriage' stance

The National Organization of Marriage (NOM) praised Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) on Saturday after it was announced he was Mitt Romney's running mate.

In a blog post, the organization noted several "pro-marriage" votes that Ryan made in Congress. The Wisconsin congressman voted in favor of a constitutional amendment to define marriage as the union of a man and woman on at least three occasions. Ryan also supported a similar amendment to Wisconsin's state constitution and voted against the repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell."

NOM was formed in 2007 to pass Proposition 8 in California, a constitutional amendment to prohibit same sex marriage. The organization has fought against proposals in numerous states to legalize same sex marriage and allow same sex couples to adopt children. NOM came under fire earlier this year when strategy documents released as part of an investigation detailed the organization’s plan to “drive a wedge between gays and blacks.”

The organization received a $10,000 contribution from Romney’s Alabama PAC, Free and Strong America, in October 2008, according to tax documents.

The Log Cabin Republicans and GOProud have praised Ryan as well. Both groups represent LGBT individuals in the Republican Party.

The Log Cabin Republicans and GOProud noted that Ryan voted in favor of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) in 2007, which if passed would have outlawed workplace discrimination against LGBT employees.

“The selection of Paul Ryan is a bold and inspired pick,” said Jimmy LaSalvia, Executive Director of GOProud. “Paul Ryan has been the architect of policies that would benefit all Americans, especially gay Americans.”

"Overall, while Log Cabin Republicans have not completed the endorsement process for the 2012 presidential election, this is a choice that all Republicans can be excited about, and which sends a good message about the kind of campaign Governor Romney wants to run, and the kind of president Governor Romney wants to be,” said R. Clarke Cooper, Log Cabin Republicans Executive Director.