Imagine someone being staunchly opposed to something — until it effects them directly — then they’re all for it. Sound far fetched? Well, it’s reality in the case of one GOP senator.
For years, Republican Sen. Rob Portman of Ohio has been adamantly against gay rights and gay marriage. He has towed the Republican line against equality for same sex couples, having no compassion for the rights of anyone other than heterosexuals. But Sen. Portman’s son dropped a bombshell on his father, by coming out and admitting that he is gay, which sent the senator into a 180 on the issue.
“It’s a change of heart from the position of a father,” Portman said last week. “I think we should be allowing gay couples the joy and stability of marriage.” He added “I have come to believe that if two people are prepared to make a lifetime commitment to love and care for each other in good times and bad, the government shouldn’t deny them the opportunity to get married.” Hmmm…
Before Sen. Portman knew he had a gay family member, he openly discriminated against all gays. Now that his own son has come out as gay, he’s all for gay rights and same-sex marriage. It’s the same scenario that happened to former vice-president Dick Cheney, whose daughter also came out as a lesbian and eventually married her female partner.
Should Portman, Cheney and other Republicans be applauded for finally seeing the light and accepting equality for all? Or are they hypocrites for not giving a damn about equality until it affected them personally?
