WASHINGTON — Conservative U.S. Sen. Rob Portman (R-Ohio), announced Thursday he has reversed his longtime opposition to same-sex marriage, saying he has evolved on the issue after learning two years ago that his now 21-year-old son, Will, is gay.
Portman said that his son, a junior at Yale University, told his that his sexual orientation was “not a choice,” and that he had been gay “since he could remember,” reported CNN.
Will Portman (left) and his father, U.S. Sen. Rob Portman (R-Ohio).
Family photo, via CNN
“It allowed me to think of this issue from a new perspective, and that’s of a Dad who loves his son a lot and wants him to have the same opportunities that his brother and sister would have — to have a relationship like Jane and I have had for over 26 years,” Portman told reporters in an interview at his office.
“The overriding message of love and compassion that I take from the Bible, and certainly the Golden Rule, and the fact that I believe we are all created by our maker, that has all influenced me in terms of my change on this issue,” Portman said, adding that he feels that “in a way, this strengthens the institution of marriage.”
Portman, 57, said his son “encouraged” him to be public about his change in position on same-sex marriage, and blessed the idea of publicly announcing his sexual orientation.
“I’ve come to the conclusion that for me, personally, I think this is something that we should allow people to do, to get married, and to have the joy and stability of marriage … that I want all of my children to have, including our son, who is gay,” said Portman.
Portman said his decision to announce his new stance was not motivated by its potential political impact, and he was not sure what the fallout would be.While in Congress, he has supported a constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage, voted for the Defense of Marriage Act and voted for a bill prohibiting gay couples in Washington from adopting.
In 2011, more than 100 University of Michigan Law School graduates staged a walk out during a commencement speech by Portman in protest of his anti-LGBT voting record.
Now, with this announcement, Portman becomes the first Senate Republican to publicly support marriage equality.
“Like countless dads across the country, Senator Portman has made the basic and courageous choice to put parenting before politics,” said Chad Griffin, President of the Human Rights Campaign, in a statement.
“When it comes to marriage equality, all Americans are on the same journey toward recognizing our common humanity. But while 8 in 10 Americans know a gay or lesbian person, it still takes unique courage to speak out publicly for equality. We are very grateful to Senator Portman for his virtuous stand in support of this civil rights cause,” said Griffin.
Related articles:
Portman sees approval rating dip after supporting same-sex marriage
Lone Ark. Democratic senator says he still opposes marriage equality
U.S. Sen. Tim Johnson of South Dakota says he supports marriage equality
Two more U.S. Senators announce their support for marriage equality
U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson of Florida throws his support behind marriage equality
Republican U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk of Illinois says he supports same-sex marriage
U.S. Sen. Tom Carper announces support for same-sex marriage
U.S. Sen. Bob Casey: 'I can no longer in good conscience' oppose gay marriage
Ariz. congressman's gay son does not change his opposition to gay marriage
Lawmakers rush to catch up with shifting public opinion on marriage equality
Report: U.S. Sen. Mark Begich of Alaska now supports marriage equality
Jon Tester: Another U.S. Senator previously opposed to gay marriage reverses course
Ohio congressman says he disagrees with Portman's support of gay marriage
U.S. Sen. Rob Portman's gay son pens his coming out story
U.S. Senator Mark Warner reverses position, now supports gay marriage
Rove: ‘I Could’ imagine a GOP presidential candidate supporting gay marriage
Gary DeMar: Homosexuality is a 'grave evil' akin to pedophilia, murder, slavery
Why was Rob Portman's stroke of empathy so shocking?
A gay dad, Republican fathers and four big questions for Rob Portman
John Boehner 'can't imagine' ever supporting marriage equality, even if his own kid was gay
A Senator's shift on marriage equality leads to soul-searching among GOP
Ohio GOP chair says party stands behind Portman's support of marriage equality
Christian PAC warns Rob Portman that his gay son may now die of AIDS
Filed under: Editor's Picks, National Headlines
Florida teen fighting criminal charges related to same-sex relationship
Linda Harvey: Gay news sites trick kids into becoming gay
Wash. florist who refused flowers for gay couple’s wedding files suit against state
Texas judge enforces ‘morality clause’ to split up lesbian couple
Catholic school: Transgender student must wear girl’s graduation gown
Another Ore. bakery refuses to provide wedding cake for same-sex couple
Graham threatens to pull support from immigration bill if gays are included
Matt Barber tweets homophobic cartoon of gay man tricking Boy Scout into sex
UPDATED: Police call fatal New York City shooting an anti-gay hate crime
Parents sue S.C. hospital over child’s gender assignment surgery
Scottish cardinal to atone for sexual misconduct with younger clergy
BREAKING: Minn. governor signs marriage equality bill — ‘Love is the law’
BREAKING: French president signs marriage equality bill into law
Everything is bigger in Texas – even the homophobia
Pa. school still refuses to announce transgender grad by his chosen name
And his son is a hottie!! :)
You have to give that man credit. It’s not easy to change your ideas, especially not publicly. *applause*
Should they just be allowed to recant? “Oops, maybe I didn’t think enough on this”. Have him make a positive movement AGAINST what he used to stand for!
Yay Dad!!!
Good for him!
I would like this story so much better if tomorrow the son issued a press release saying, “jeigh keigh, I’m not really gay. Sorry dad, just making a point.”
It does make a difference when it is some one that you know and connect with when you think of these issues, I am not saying that it is right but when I was working on the same sex marriage law here in Washington I know that a couple of people that were not for the law voted for it because they knew me and how it could affect my life. I am very glad that he is supporting his son, and issues that will affect his life.
Glad he now see the importance of equality
His son is a cutie.
something seems fishhy about this. congrats to the father for now accepting the lgbt community. but im getting the feeling he had no choice or else he would look like a bad parent and dad for that matter. i feel like if he wanted to publicly come out and support our cause then why didnt he do it before his son said he was gay? i hope this doesnt have to do with more politics… ohh wait…
There isn’t much to applaud him for yet. Yes he says he supports his son and wants him to have the same rights, but in the same breath he refuses to “sign” any bills or anything to pass and says he’s in the wrong area of Senate to “really start anything for it”. Umm… I’m not in the Senate at all and I’ll still do whatever it takes to fight for my rights and those I love. Let’s just hope he pulls his head out of his butt the rest of the way and SHOWS his son he means it.
Okay, so I guess that gay individuals are humans after all? Hummm, who would have known?
If he was muslim, would he still feel the same way, or would he kill his son?
It’s all very nice that he feels his son is deserving of the same opportunities to pursue happiness that the other children have, but he’s still a dick and doesn’t deserve any reelection consideration based on this.
Why does it take something like this for any member of the GOP to have a change of heart? He gets no credit from me.
Great news that his views have evolved but it never would of happened had his son not came out …. sickens me where was his compassion for all others rights.
Love It! It is good to see the conservatives to give way!
i see it as this: it usually takes knocking someone….to OPEN your eyes on an important issue…..take liz taylor for example: she didn’t do anything about AIDS research, until her friend rock hudson came down sick with it…and then, she did everything she could…..i say we give him a chance and WATCH what he does NOW…….maybe he needs to HEAR from people….if he doesn’t side for EQUALITY…..then, those in his state BOOT him out of office, when the time comes.
This is wonderful…..everyone please take it personally! cause it IS !
Very good looking son
Kudos for being a great dad and a stand up guy about having a change of heart publicly.
This is not BREAKING NEWS. Now, if he would speak out against his fellow Teabaggers and Republicans… then it IS worthy of BREAKING NEWS! Just like tricky gun totin’ Dicky Cheney who is “all for gay marriage”, due to his daughter being a lesbian, but does not say anything or advocate. Tis Cowardice, not news.
Cheney has gay daughter and he never supported her rights! She has partner and baby.
This is real courage! Come out!
I have gone to the Senator’s Facebook page and sent him a message of thanks and support. I would urge everyone else to do the same.
It seems to make a difference whose ox is gored. It shouldn’t.
Isn’t it awesome how all these politicians are “seeing the light” …. That would be the light of public opinion polls telling them their position was costing them votes. Don’t you believe for one minute that his love for his son changed his opinion. I am absolutely sure that he loves and supports his son…. But love and support does not sway political position. Votes and money sway political decisions.
That’s a step
a conservative republican with honor. on a side note, gotta wonder if the son voted for Barrack.
Read my story now “LGBT same sex abuse story” on CNN.com go to this link http://www.cnn.com/2013/03/14/living/same-sex-domestic-violence-and-vawa/index.html?hpt=li_c1
It’s not honourable when you do the right thing only when public opinion is in favour of it or when your own blood is involved. The day before he supported it, many people’s rights were impacted. What happened then? Still, better a hypocritical ally than an enemy.
@Andrew: I disagree with you. It’s precisely the point when we have personal experiences or get to know a person who is different from us, which changes our hearts and minds.
You would think compassion and logic would change hearts and minds.
ch-ch-ch-changes!
This was very heartfelt (watching Portman on CNN this morning)