MONTGOMERY, Alabama -- Alabama Republicans this morning overwhelmingly rejected an effort to silence, or oust, a college Republican over comments she made about gay marriage.

The party’s Executive Committee voted down a proposed rule change that said no member of the party’s steering committee could publicly oppose a resolution adopted by the party’s executive committee.

The vote came after the president of the College Republican Federation of Alabama, Stephanie Petelos, upset some Republicans when she made remarks critical of the party's staunch position against gay marriage.

Petelos is part of the 21-member steering committee because of her position. She told Al.com in June that more young Republicans would likely speak out in favor of gay marriage if they “didn't live in fear of backlash from party leaders."

Committee member Bonnie Sachs proposed the change saying steering committee members such as Petelos have a duty to publicly support the party’s positions, including those on marriage.

“This has never been about taking away anyone’s rights to freedom of speech as has been construed to the public and the media,” Sachs said.

"If we are going to serve on the Republican steering committee, we need to do so in such a way that we don't go to the media with an agenda that we may have," Sachs said.

The motion died on a lopsided voice vote after a passionate debate that highlighted some of the party's divides.

Committee member Clay Barclay of Mobile said it doesn’t hurt to have differing opinions on some issues.

“We’re not the Taliban. We’re not the Third Reich,” Barclay said.

Alabama Republican Minority Chairman Phillip Brown said, “It’s not about whether we support heterosexual traditional marriage or not.

"It's about free speech."

State Sen. Cam Ward, R-Alabaster, said while he supported the party's platform on marriage that he was opposed to any "effort to stifle the voices of those who may not agree with me."

Brown suggested the true issue was about control of the party's powerful steering committee.

“I’m appalled at the extent our chairman will go to ensure no one opposes him on the steering committee,” Brown said.

Alabama Republican Party Chairman Bill Armistead said after the meeting that the accusation was "ridiculous."

"Everybody on the steering committee knows that's not true," Armistead said.

Armistead said as the meeting began that the GOP platform is against gay marriage.

"We need to support our platform," Armistead said.

Petelos, a University of Alabama senior, said she was nervous going into the day but was relieved at the outcome.

"I've been really happy with all the support that I've received. I've received a lot of support from literally all over the country," Petelos said.

"I hope that this more so inspires young people to want to get involved and have their voices heard. I really hope this doesn't scare or shy people away from the party," Petelos said.

Petelos is the daughter of Tony and Teresa Petelos. Her father was a Republican legislator, former head of the Alabama Department of Human Resources, Hoover mayor and currently is Jefferson County’s first county manager. Her mother served as a Republican circuit judge.

“Speak your mind. Stand up for yourself,” Petelos replied when asked what her parents told her during the dispute.

Armistead urged committee members not to go to media and blogs with their disagreements. Armistead read headlines about the dispute saying such public feuds are not good for the party.

"It’s trash. Throw it away,” Armistead said.

Alabama Supreme Court Chief Justice Roy Moore spoke out against gay marriage at the end of the meeting.

“If we disparage family values we will lose our country,” Moore said.

Moore said the foundation of family is one man and one woman "in the holy state of matrimony."

"If the Republican Party of this state should ever adopt same-sex marriage, I will no longer be a part of the Republican Party,” Moore said.