• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • 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
  • US judge throws out Texas ban on drag acts, calls it unconstitutional
  • Uganda’s anti-gay law causing wave of rights abuses, activists say
  • ‘American Horror Story’ Star Angelica Ross Calls Out Ryan Murphy For Ghosting Her After She Complained About ‘Racism’ On Set

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
  • Uganda’s anti-gay law causing wave of rights abuses, activists say

    Uganda’s anti-gay law causing wave of rights abuses, activists say

    Published by Reuters KAMPALA (Reuters) – The consideration and passage by Uganda's government of one of the world's harshest anti-gay laws have unleashed a torrent of abuse against LGBTQ people, mostly committed by private individuals, rights …Read More »
  • ‘American Horror Story’ Star Angelica Ross Calls Out Ryan Murphy For Ghosting Her After She Complained About ‘Racism’ On Set

    ‘American Horror Story’ Star Angelica Ross Calls Out Ryan Murphy For Ghosting Her After She Complained About ‘Racism’ On Set

    Published by uInterview.com Angelica Ross has spoken out about the alleged mistreatment she was subjected to throughout her time on the show American Horror Story: 1984, and show creator Ryan Murphy‘s failure to support her. Ross …Read More »
  • ‘Grave matter’: White supremacist-turned-FBI informant gets suspended sentence on N.Y. weapons charge

    ‘Grave matter’: White supremacist-turned-FBI informant gets suspended sentence on N.Y. weapons charge

    Published by Raw Story Michael Alan Jones, a former Proud Boy and self-admitted paid FBI informant, is a free man after a federal judge issued a suspended sentence with two years of supervised release — a …Read More »
  • Fetterman trolls James Comer by gifting him a case of Bud Light to drink during impeachment inquiry

    Fetterman trolls James Comer by gifting him a case of Bud Light to drink during impeachment inquiry

    Published by Raw Story (UK) Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) had some more fun at the expense of congressional Republicans Thursday as they launched their impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden despite the fact that the government …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

  • US judge throws out Texas ban on drag acts, calls it unconstitutional

    US judge throws out Texas ban on drag acts, calls it unconstitutional

  • Uganda’s anti-gay law causing wave of rights abuses, activists say

    Uganda’s anti-gay law causing wave of rights abuses, activists say

  • ‘American Horror Story’ Star Angelica Ross Calls Out Ryan Murphy For Ghosting Her After She Complained About ‘Racism’ On Set

    ‘American Horror Story’ Star Angelica Ross Calls Out Ryan Murphy For Ghosting Her After She Complained About ‘Racism’ On Set

  • ‘Grave matter’: White supremacist-turned-FBI informant gets suspended sentence on N.Y. weapons charge

    ‘Grave matter’: White supremacist-turned-FBI informant gets suspended sentence on N.Y. weapons charge

  • Fetterman trolls James Comer by gifting him a case of Bud Light to drink during impeachment inquiry

    Fetterman trolls James Comer by gifting him a case of Bud Light to drink during impeachment inquiry

  • 12+ Instagram Sure Shots in Miami for the Social LGBTQ Visitor. All Mapped with More Top Spots … In Time For Your Fall Getaway Plans

    12+ Instagram Sure Shots in Miami for the Social LGBTQ Visitor. All Mapped with More Top Spots … In Time For Your Fall Getaway Plans

  • Bella Thorne used to have threesomes with Benjamin Mascolo

    Bella Thorne used to have threesomes with Benjamin Mascolo

  • John Waters believes mainstream Hollywood films are finally as shocking as his cult movies

    John Waters believes mainstream Hollywood films are finally as shocking as his cult movies

Adjacent News

  • Did the UAE ban the Barbie movie? What about Saudi Arabia?

    Did the UAE ban the Barbie movie? What about Saudi Arabia?

  • From penal camp, dissident Navalny calls on Russians to resist Putin

    From penal camp, dissident Navalny calls on Russians to resist Putin

  • As contentious judicial ‘reform’ becomes law in Israel, Netanyahu cements his political legacy

    As contentious judicial ‘reform’ becomes law in Israel, Netanyahu cements his political legacy

Good Trash: Going to Read It Somewhere, Y'know

  • Beyonce pays tribute to stabbed fan

    Beyonce pays tribute to stabbed fan

  • Dwight Howard’s Assault Accuser Submits Uber Receipt as Evidence in Court Battle With Ex-Lakers Star

    Dwight Howard’s Assault Accuser Submits Uber Receipt as Evidence in Court Battle With Ex-Lakers Star

  • After Bud Light, Ukraine ‘Scandals,’ Garth Brooks Surprises Again

    After Bud Light, Ukraine ‘Scandals,’ Garth Brooks Surprises Again

Partner Links

  • OMG, have you heard? Cher allegedly hired men to kidnap troubled son Elijah Blue Allman from NY hotel prior to rehab stint
    A mother knows so limits when it comes to protecting her […]
  • OMG, his butt: Australian professional Dirt and Park Freestyle BMX rider Logan Martin
    Australian professional Dirt and Park Freestyle BMX rider Logan Martin has […]
  • Testify! Dem Rep Flames Republicans During Inquiry
    Texas Democratic Rep. Jasmine Crockett is impressive if you've ever seen […]
  • Thursday Round-Up: The Amazing Race duo; Melissa Etheridge; Michelle Visage; Antoni Porowski & more!
    Joe & Ian Talk Meeting, Getting Engaged & Competing Together on […]
  • Kim Kardashian References Olivia Wilde's 'Don't Worry Darling' Drama in 'American Horror Story: Delicate'
    Olivia Wilde‘s drama made a surprise cameo on American Horror Story: […]

Most Commented

Social

Twitter @tlrd | Facebook | Instagram @tlrd

About

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

Copyright © 2023 · Log in

×
×