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Your mom must have been around gay people her whole life, right?
She certainly worked with gay people. But there were very few gay people around while I was a child.

How did your mom respond to your coming out to her?
I think she would love to have a grandchild, and I think that is probably the greatest disappointment to her. But you know, she may still get one. But I want to get a dog first. [Laughs]

It does seem that your coming-out has prompted your mom’s political involvement on behalf of gays and lesbians.
I’m sure I’ve been a positive influence, but she’s a pretty liberal person, and she’s very passionate about human rights. So I wouldn’t take the credit for her support of gay rights, although she certainly got a more inside perspective from me. From this article: This boy’s life