Watch: 19-Year-Old Iowan Zach Wahls' Electrifying Speech in Support of His Gay Moms
"Actually, I was raised by a gay couple and I'm doing pretty well."
As I mentioned earlier, the House today passed Joint Resolution 6, approving an amendment to go before voters which would ban all same-sex unions in the state.
This was from last night's public hearings on the measure.
The bigots need to just give up now because teens like Zach Wahls are the reason they will eventually lose.
Watch, AFTER THE JUMP...
Great speech and great kid.
Of course, we can be sure that he's not gay. No self-respecting gay guy would wear a light grey suit, a dark blue shirt, and a white tie.
Posted by: gr8guyca | Feb 1, 2011 8:13:11 PM
Wow. One for the future.
Posted by: Rowan | Feb 1, 2011 8:28:43 PM
I can't believe that even the contrarian trolls on this site could criticize this guy. He's 19. I couldn't deliver a speech that effective and I'm twice his age.
Posted by: Paul R | Feb 1, 2011 8:29:17 PM
From IAN "A bit dissappointed,hHis delivery was not that great for me...do they have Brooklyn accents in Iowa? He's got the looks and the message, just needs to relax, polish his delivery, and learn how to connect with people, and this kid will be a great speaker!"
@IAN He wasn't making that speech for you. The speech was for the people in that room. And judging from the sound of the applause he recieved, his message was heard and understood by the people in THAT room, and the other people on this board who are sending congratulatory remarks his way. Who the hell are you to tell him he needs to work on his speech delivery/techniques.
You Ian, are the weakest link! Goodbye!!
Posted by: Edd | Feb 1, 2011 8:39:58 PM
Well spoken, yes of course, but this guy should have the right to be a jerk, not well spoken, and have gay parents who are married and file a joint IRS form if they choose.
Posted by: sww | Feb 1, 2011 8:40:12 PM
Zach may not have changed any votes today, but he put every legislator who voted for this bill on notice that they do not get to claim the moral high ground just because they voted for the Christian "family values" position. Indeed, a ballot vote will be won or lost by whether it is made clear to the people of Iowa that voting to discriminate is morally reprehensible. I think that Zach's speech should be used to help drive home the point. Ultimately this young man could make a huge difference in how this plays out. Either way, Zach's courage and character are to be applauded. As FAEN posted earlier, "What an awesome kid!"
Posted by: MajorTom | Feb 1, 2011 9:14:46 PM
As the freaks of NOM and FRC race to the state to throw their machine of ignorance, bigotry and hate into high gear.
Posted by: Rich | Feb 1, 2011 9:23:14 PM
To Ian-
Are you kidding me?
This was not a contest
He is Brilliant
What have you done in speaking for this subject?
Any clips you could share so we can see how you do &
how it should be done?
Posted by: deen | Feb 1, 2011 9:25:30 PM
It's been a long time since I've had a crush on a 19 year old.
Posted by: Harrison | Feb 1, 2011 10:31:32 PM
Sure, there were a few signs of hurry-up in his speech. D'uh. I'm sure there was a pretty strict time limit, and he was duly conscious of that. How many of us would not have had a few "like"s and "um"s if we had 3 minutes to change the world with our voice? ;-)
I'm as impressed as anyone with young Zach. I've spread the YouTube of his speech as far and wide as I can. Its awesomeness should be witnessed by everyone.
Posted by: Zlick | Feb 1, 2011 11:05:41 PM
This is nice. But knowing that David Geffen and Elton John are pushing for gay marriage makes me oppose it.
Posted by: tcw | Feb 1, 2011 11:22:13 PM
Way to go my boy!!!
(I wish) Great job. Next time i'm in IaCity, i will look you up! :)
but seriously---a heartfelt expression that Rachel should be aware and include in her comments very soon.
Posted by: tinhouston | Feb 2, 2011 12:28:49 AM
Why are US leaders allowed to treat a whole class of harmless people unfairly? I just don't get it.
Posted by: X | Feb 2, 2011 12:36:38 AM
Zach, PLEASE get into politics. PLEASE!!!!
Posted by: Barry, native Californian and former fellow Hawkeye | Feb 2, 2011 1:05:07 AM
Where are the folks looking to bring back segregation & the end of interracial marriages? I wanna see that stuff up on the ballot initiatives.
Posted by: pat | Feb 2, 2011 1:53:53 AM
I can't believe he's 19; one is lucky to be this articulate and confident at 29. What a tribute to gay parenting!
And Ian, even if you are a genius at analyzing public speaking, there are moments in which you should keep your petty nitpicking to yourself.
Posted by: Rick S. | Feb 2, 2011 2:48:44 AM
If this is the man that can be raised by gay parents then we should all be raised by gay parents.
What a sense of fairness and equality he speaks of.
If he were my son I would be beyond pride, I would extatic to see and hear his maturity.
Posted by: JackFknTwist | Feb 2, 2011 2:58:04 AM
This made my day.
Posted by: Tre | Feb 2, 2011 3:01:45 AM
"Our sense of family comes from the committment we make to each other....."
Go Zac ! You are one outstanding citizen.
Posted by: JackFknTwist | Feb 2, 2011 3:50:25 AM
Oh my god, I thought he was really good!? Where is this nit picking coming from???
Posted by: Rowan | Feb 2, 2011 4:52:48 AM
Wow, we need more speeches like this to show the "old white men" in government that we ARE all pretty much the same – no matter WHO raises you.
Posted by: Rick | Feb 2, 2011 6:12:07 AM
DAVID EHRENSTEIN, you got is right.
Posted by: Rocky | Feb 2, 2011 7:46:58 AM
Zach Wahls for president.
Posted by: RJ | Feb 2, 2011 7:53:47 AM
This young man has his act together... very impressive. I wouldn't be surprised to see him running for president in 2028!
Posted by: John | Feb 2, 2011 8:14:39 AM
To Zach's Moms: You must be bursting with pride. You absolutely should be. You have raised an amazing young man. Wow! Congratulations on your amazing contibution to the multi-coloured fabric of society.
Posted by: Mark in Ontario | Feb 2, 2011 8:37:31 AM