• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • About Towleroad
  • Towleroad on Social Media
  • Privacy Policy

Towleroad Gay News

Gay Blog Towleroad: More than gay news | gay men

  • Travel
  • Sports
  • Law/Justice
  • Celebrities
  • Republicans
  • Madonna
  • Books
  • Men
  • Trans Rights
  • Royals
  • Monkeypox
  • Sophia Bush’s girlfriend ‘proud’ the actress has opened up about coming out as queer
  • Mel B declares she’ll ‘always be open’ when it comes to her sexuality!
  • Megan Thee Stallion being sued for ‘forcing cameraman watch her having lesbian sex!’

Senator Mark Kirk Is First Senate Republican to Sponsor Equality Act

Sean Mandell January 20, 2016 Leave a Comment

mark kirk

Mark Kirk (R-IL) has become the first Republican in the U.S. Senate to sponsor the Equality Act. If enacted, the Equality Act would amend the Civil Rights Act and Fair Housing Act to bar anti-LGBT discrimination.

Kirk told The Washington Blade, “Discrimination on the basis of being gay is against the law in Illinois and should be against the law nationwide.”

Kirk's sponsorship of the Equality Act comes only 5 days after Illinois Congressman Bob Dold became the first Republican in the U.S. House to sign on a a sponsor of the bill.

“Senator Kirk has once again proven his leadership, by becoming the first Republican Senator to co-sponsor of the Equality Act,” said Human Rights Campaign (HRC) President Chad Griffin. “His support for the Equality Act sends a strong message that fairness and equality are bipartisan values. It also reflects the view of the overwhelming majority of all Americans who believe that everyone, including LGBT people, should be able to have a fair chance to earn a living, provide for their families, and live free from fear of discrimination.”

BuzzFeed adds:

Kirk has been outspoken among Republicans for marriage equality and LGBT protections, but he did not elaborate on why he signed on to the bill six months after it was introduced. Still, Kirk's comment gives insight to tensions faced by lawmakers who represent states that ban LGBT discrimination but belong to a political party that has historically opposed LGBT-rights laws.

Kirk was elected to the U.S. Senate in 2010. Though he voted against the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell, he signed an amicus brief urging the Supreme Court to legalize same-sex marriage nationwide in 2015 and was one of 11 Republican senators who voted in March to guarantee equal benefits for married gay couples. He also barred the anti-gay World Congress of Families from attaining a meting room in the offices of the U.S. Senate back in 2013.

Kirk has also been labeled a “closet homosexual” by right wing activist Sandy Rios and a “gay hypocrite” by Outrage blogger Kirby Dick. Kirk, however, has said that he is not gay.

In 2016, Kirk will seek to keep his U.S. Senate seat, facing off against Democratic Rep. Tammy Duckworth, who has co-sponsored the Equality Act in the House.

Meanwhile, gay Republican group Log Cabin Republicans, which opposes the Equality Act, has not changed its position on the legislation despite the Kirk and Dold's recent endorsements. Via The Blade:

“The Equality Act remains imperfect legislation with zero chance of passage,” Angelo said. “It's also a purely partisan bill, as evidenced by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee actually declaring they would pour even more resources into defeating Congressman Dold this November after he declared his support for the Equality Act last week. I don't expect the DSCC to react any differently to Sen. Kirk.”

Topics: Politics, Republicans, Supreme Court, towleroad More Posts About: Equality Act, Mark Kirk, Republican Party, senate

Related Posts
  • U.S. Senate set to hold test vote Wednesday on election reforms
  • Biden Recognizes National Coming Out Day, Condemns Against Anti-LGBTQ Bills and Again Calls For Passing Equality Act
  • Rep. Liz Cheney: ‘I Was Wrong’ To Oppose Marriage Equality in 2013; Regrets Causing Family Rift; Still Voted Against Equality Act
  • Mel B declares she’ll ‘always be open’ when it comes to her sexuality!

    Mel B declares she’ll ‘always be open’ when it comes to her sexuality!

    Published by BANG Showbiz English Mel B will “always be open” when it comes to her sexuality. The Spice Girls singer, 48, who reunited with her bandmates including the group's ex-singer Victoria Beckham for the fashion …Read More »
  • Megan Thee Stallion being sued for ‘forcing cameraman watch her having lesbian sex!’

    Megan Thee Stallion being sued for ‘forcing cameraman watch her having lesbian sex!’

    Published by BANG Showbiz English Megan Thee Stallion is being sued for allegedly creating a hostile work environment and forcing her cameraman to watch her having lesbian sex. The 29-year-old ‘Savage' rapper faces the salacious claims …Read More »
  • Mean Girls star Jonathan Bennett recalls the moment his life ‘changed forever’

    Mean Girls star Jonathan Bennett recalls the moment his life ‘changed forever’

    Published by BANG Showbiz English Jonathan Bennett's life was “changed forever” by his role in ‘Mean Girls'. The 42-year-old actor starred as heartthrob Aaron Samuels in the 2004 cult classic – which followed Lindsay Lohan, Rachel …Read More »
  • Sir Elton John sent Lance Bass gift basket to celebrate coming out

    Sir Elton John sent Lance Bass gift basket to celebrate coming out

    Published by BANG Showbiz English Sir Elton John sent Lance Bass a gift basket after he came out as gay. The 44-year-old NSYNC star revealed the legendary singer showed his support when Lance decided to reveal …Read More »
Previous Post: « NBA Player Jokes That He’s A ‘Bit Sore’ After Getting Flagrantly Violated – VIDEO
Next Post: WATCH: Necco Valentine’s Day Ad Features Gay Dallas Sweethearts of 55 Years »

Primary Sidebar

Most Recent

  • Sophia Bush’s girlfriend ‘proud’ the actress has opened up about coming out as queer

    Sophia Bush’s girlfriend ‘proud’ the actress has opened up about coming out as queer

  • Mel B declares she’ll ‘always be open’ when it comes to her sexuality!

    Mel B declares she’ll ‘always be open’ when it comes to her sexuality!

  • Megan Thee Stallion being sued for ‘forcing cameraman watch her having lesbian sex!’

    Megan Thee Stallion being sued for ‘forcing cameraman watch her having lesbian sex!’

  • Mean Girls star Jonathan Bennett recalls the moment his life ‘changed forever’

    Mean Girls star Jonathan Bennett recalls the moment his life ‘changed forever’

  • Sir Elton John sent Lance Bass gift basket to celebrate coming out

    Sir Elton John sent Lance Bass gift basket to celebrate coming out

  • Relationship status influences heterosexual women’s sexual prejudice towards lesbians

    Relationship status influences heterosexual women’s sexual prejudice towards lesbians

  • JoJo Siwa had a challenge transitioning to new grown-up image

    JoJo Siwa had a challenge transitioning to new grown-up image

  • Liz Hurley defends lesbian sex scene in new movie that was directed by her son

    Liz Hurley defends lesbian sex scene in new movie that was directed by her son

Partner Links

  • DM: Duchess Meghan’s Mother’s Day post lacks relatability because of Archie’s pajamas!
    I actually think the Duchess of Sussex has gotten to the […]
  • “Halle Berry & Juliette Binoche are on this year’s Cannes jury” links
    I totally forgot that Halle Berry is on the Cannes Film […]
  • 'I Really Miss the City, and There's Nowhere Here to Cry About It in Public'
    I have a recurring dream (aka nightmare) where I've moved away […]
  • Prabal Gurung shares with “CBS Mornings” his personal journey in new memoir, “Walk Like a Girl”
    Hi everyone! My blog underwent a much-needed WordPress upgrade but I’m […]
  • Chuck Schumer Puts Hold On Trump DOJ Nominees Over Qatar's Luxury Jet Bribe
    Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer told the press he is placing […]

Most Commented

Social

Twitter @tlrd | Facebook | Instagram @tlrd

About

  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • About Towleroad
  • Towleroad on Social Media
  • Privacy Policy
[towleroadmr] [towleroadtn]

Footer

Ptown Hacks 2018

Read

  • Travel
  • Film
  • Law – LGBT Rights
  • Columns
  • Specials

About

  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • About Towleroad
  • Towleroad on Social Media
  • Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2025 · Log in

×
×