Maryland Republican Lawmaker Describes Himself as a 'Changed Person' on Marriage After Meeting Gay Couples
If this isn't the greatest fear of conservative extremists like Tony Perkins, Peter Sprigg, and Bryan Fischer, then it should be: that Republicans opposed to gay rights will actually meet real gay people instead of believing the right-wing lies put out there by the Christianist propaganda machine.
L.A. Times on the Maryland marriage equality vote:
In an effort to get the bill to the House floor, a special joint committee was formed and legislators were left scrambling for seats. Kach, who had previously backed attempts to define marriage as between one man and one woman, found a space right next to the witness table.
"I saw with so many of the gay couples, they were so devoted to another. I saw so much love," he said. "When this hearing was over, I was a changed person in regard to this issue. I felt that I understood what same sex couples were looking for."
A week later, Kach voted for the gay marriage bill on the floor of the House of Delegates, one of only two Republicans to do so. Their support proved vital, as the bill squeaked through the 141-member chamber on a 72–67 vote.
(via digg)
Posted Feb. 24,2012 at 10:34 AM EST by Andy Towle in Evangelical Christians, Evangelicals, Gay Marriage, News, Republican Party | Permalink
Changing hearts and minds...it can be done.
Posted by: Dev | Feb 24, 2012 10:40:54 AM
Our names, faces, and stories are the most powerful forces we have in the movement for equality in all areas. I remember a time, years ago, when a man who had known me since childhood, a friend of my parents, said, "I don't know exactly what I think about gay rights, but I know you. I could never support anything that would harm you." Then he showed me the letter he had sent to our city council supporting adding sexual orientation to an ordinance.
And good for Mr. Kach for being open to seeing for himself.
Posted by: jpeckjr | Feb 24, 2012 10:46:31 AM
I've heard this before. Greg (husband) and I attend many business-related events together. Most are events where he speaks and he invaribly thanks me just as other speakers thank their wives/partners. There will be one or two people who stare/ogle and follow when introduced with something like, "So you're Greg's ahhh partner/better half/husband. You guys are much different then I expected. You seem very normal!" (Well, duh...)
And then I bring out the iPhone and smooze them with an album full of adorable pictures of our son. They turn to putty like all other parents and on the way home we'll place bets on who will call for a dinner or play date. Our family is just like everyone elses. The only difference is that we are two men in love with each other and raising a child.
Posted by: OS2guy | Feb 24, 2012 10:51:42 AM
BTW, Steven (our son) turns 5 on March 8th. We are taking him to the SF SPCA and letting him pick his first puppy.
Posted by: OS2guy | Feb 24, 2012 10:53:31 AM
This is quite important. Many of these hate-mongers don't even know any gay people.
Posted by: Peter | Feb 24, 2012 10:54:31 AM
Sometimes, in predominantly straight groups, I've felt my wife and I were "pet lesbians," and had to really focus on being polite and positive. But if people who had previously been clueless walk away changed, then I'm glad I was a good scout...and yes, I was formerly a Girl Scout ;-)
Posted by: Kathleen | Feb 24, 2012 10:54:34 AM
Mr. Kach has more courage than 99.999% of politicians. Everyone should send him an email saying "thank you." A donation too. Show those on the fence that it pays to make courageous decisions.
Posted by: jeo | Feb 24, 2012 10:54:51 AM
Way to go Kach! There's a conservative that might get my vote.
If only more politicians would actually go the extra mile and learn about real gay couples and families instead of listening to the hate propaganda spewed by the anti-gay agenda. Sadly, if is a Republican his re-election might not go so well after this.
Posted by: DRG | Feb 24, 2012 11:00:17 AM
Well, love is strong proof.
Posted by: Matt26 | Feb 24, 2012 11:05:55 AM
I just sent a thank you email to Mr. Kach: a.wade.kach@house.state.md.us
Posted by: jeo | Feb 24, 2012 11:09:21 AM
Our most powerful weapon has ALWAYS been coming out.
Hatemongers like Bryan Fisher, Tony Perkins, Brian Brownshirt et.al. are still living in the hope of returning to the day when LGBT's were totally "other" -- closeted and marginalized and therefore easy to demonize. Well that doesn't work when real people are standing right in front of you. Straights have discovered we don't have horns and a tail and aren't interested in eating their children for supper.
IOW, we're winning BIGTIME!
Posted by: David Ehrenstein | Feb 24, 2012 11:15:21 AM
Kudos to him for having an open mind and heart.
Posted by: Brian M | Feb 24, 2012 11:33:44 AM
what's christie's excuse?
as a new jerseyan, i've finally found something more embarrassing about my state than the "jersey shore"
Posted by: h | Feb 24, 2012 12:08:41 PM
let me try to understand: so when you have the likes of cheney, mehlman, cooper, etc. gaining leverage inside their party (or trying to), which increases, at the very least, our visibility inside the gop, they're evil kapos, but when another republican actually says that his mind was changed after realizing the humanity of same-sex couples, he's a hero?
this does not seem consistent.
as much as i can disagree with folks on the right (and it's a shame i have to preface my sentence like this, but so is life), i am very, very happy they have lgbt folks in their midst, because, indeed, seeing us as humans is one of THE most powerful tools at our disposal to achieve equality.
Posted by: daftpunkydavid | Feb 24, 2012 12:25:36 PM
It may be discriminatory of me to say so but I have never seen the intimate affection/devotion among straight couples that I have seen among some gay friends.
I'm sure straights are just as devoted.....I just haven't seen it.
So thank you to all those couples for giving such a positive testimony about us, our community and our rights to equality.It makes me so proud to see such out gay proud couples.......
Posted by: JackFknTwist | Feb 24, 2012 1:22:07 PM
This is why it is so important for those of us who are gay to come out to other people. If homophobes realize that 10% of their friends and families are gay, that gay people are no different than heterosexual people, that gay Christians are just as faithful as heterosexual Christians, and that gay spouses and parents are just as loving as heterosexual spouses and children, then they will cease to be homophobic.
Posted by: DB | Feb 24, 2012 2:53:51 PM
So cool
Thank you sir for your support, it means a lot!!
Posted by: GeorgeM | Feb 24, 2012 9:42:25 PM
Well it looks as if all it could possibly take is a chance at sitting next to the witness table. Maybe we should rotate out the anti-gay politicians so they all get a chance.
But in all seriousness I'm really happy with this story!
Posted by: JAMES | Feb 25, 2012 5:40:48 PM
By far, the single most important thing that LGBT people can do to advance the cause of full equality for LGBT folks is to COME OUT. COME OUT,COME OUT wherever you are!!!
Posted by: jack | Feb 25, 2012 9:08:31 PM