WASHINGTON - Today, former Utah governor and ambassador to China Jon Huntsman published an op-ed in the American Conservative urging his fellow Republicans to get on board with the majority of Americans who support marriage equality.

“The party of Lincoln should stand with our best tradition of equality and support full civil marriage for all Americans,” Huntsman wrote.

Human Rights Campaign President Chad Griffin issued the following statement in response to Huntsman’s piece:

“Governor Jon Huntsman is one of a growing number of Republicans to embrace the idea that marriage should be for all Americans. From former Vice President Dick Cheney to former Secretary of State Colin Powell, Huntsman is yet another high profile Republican official to make the case that treating people equally under the law is an American value.”

The op-ed stresses that the party will end up on the wrong side of history unless it takes immediate action to shift its position in the direction of fairness. Huntsman’s argument echoes the results of a new poll released yesterday showing that 77 percent of Americans believe nationwide marriage equality will be a reality in just a few short years, including a majority of registered Republicans.

The Human Rights Campaign is the largest national lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender political organization with members throughout the country. It effectively lobbies Congress, provides campaign support and educates the public to ensure that LGBT Americans can be open, honest and safe at home, at work and in the community.