Even as his party at CPAC confirms its commitment to denying one set of taxpayers the right to marry the adult they love and somehow concluding this is not discrimination, Sen. Rob Portman (R-Ohio) is speaking out in defense of marriage equality.
Portman’s position on the subject has “evolved,” as the saying goes, for a very personal reason. His son, a student at Yale, is gay.
“I’m announcing today a change of heart on an issue that a lot of people feel strongly about that has to do with gay couples’ opportunity to marry,” Portman told CNN.
It has to do with another revelation, one deeply personal. His 21-year-old son, Will, is gay.
“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’ve had for over 26 years. That I want all of my children to have, including our son, who is gay,” said Portman.
Portman campaigned for Mitt Romney for president in 2012, and was among Romney’s choices for the vice presidential slot. Team Romney denied that Portman’s son, or his acceptance of him, was a factor in their decision to choose someone else.
Last year, when Romney was vetting Portman to be his running mate, the Ohio Republican informed both Romney and his top campaign advisers that he has a gay son.
“I told Mitt Romney everything,” said Portman with a laugh. “That process is, intrusive would be one way to put it. But, no, yeah, I told him everything.”
Portman, who was ultimately passed over as the GOP vice-presidential candidate in favor of Rep. Paul Ryan, said the fact that his son is gay was not the deal breaker for Romney. How does he know?
“Well, because they told me,” said Portman.
Until now, Portman has voted the party line on gay rights issues, including supporting the Clinton-era Defense of Marriage Act, which discriminates against gay Americans and the Obama administration is seeking before the Supreme Court to overturn.
Read more at CNN, which broke the story.
