Posted on 03/15/2013 7:15:53 AM PDT by IbJensen
U.S. Sen. Rob Portman is greeted by his daughter Sally, left, and son Will after finishing the Paddlefest, an annual Cincinnati event, on Saturday, June 23, 2012.
Republican Senator Rob Portman has announced his support for same-sex marriage, saying he reversed his position on the divisive social issue after his son came out as gay.
“I have come to believe that if two people are prepared to make a lifetime commitment to love and care for each other in good times and in bad, the government shouldn't deny them the opportunity to get married,” Portman wrote in an op-ed published Friday in the Columbus Dispatch.
“That isn’t how I’ve always felt. As a congressman, and more recently as a senator, I opposed marriage for same-sex couples. Then something happened that led me to think through my position in a much deeper way," Portman wrote in the op-ed.
The decision came after long consideration, the Ohio lawmaker told newspapers from his home state on Thursday. Portman’s 21-year-old son Will, who is a junior at Yale University, discussed his sexual orientation with Portman and his wife in 2011, the senator said.
His son said that his sexuality was “not a choice, it was who he is and that he had been that way since he could remember,” Portman told Cleveland.com during an interview in his Washington, D.C. office.
“It allowed me to think of this from a new perspective, and that’s of a dad who loves his son a lot and wants him to have the same opportunities that his brother and sister would have – to have a relationship like Jane and I have had for over 26 years,” Portman told reporters during that interview.
(Excerpt) Read more at nbcpolitics.nbcnews.com ...
If there is anyone here who doesn't believe that the central socialist government and this homosexual agenda is 100% wrong-headed then that person belongs on another website.
Another rotten-ass turncoat in the Republican Party. Inexcusable! First of all, I wouldn’t want to admit to the world that my son was a homosexual. Second, I wouldn’t want to admit that I soul-searched the Bible and was unable to find the very explicit condemnation of homosexual behavior.
This man is disgusting to jump ship and approve of degenerate behavior just because his son is a sicko. Has his son been counseled to get help? Of course not . . . because homosexuality has so much to offer . . . an average lifespan of 39-41 years of age.
Our lousy governor now embraces Obambicare, and now this corrupt politician is endorsing the whole homosexual disgusting life-style.
Once again, Ohio loses.
We’re losing.
I read the back of the book.
It will certainly look like “we’re losing” for a while,
but the Good Guy wins in the end. Forever.
And this guy was on the short list as Mittens VP?
Suddenly “paddlefest” has a whole new meaning. SMH
I predict Rob Portman will now be on EVERY talk show for the next 6 months. Portman will be the new sweetheart of the corrupt MSM who will constantly ask him how backwards the GOP is and how they need to change.
Of course Portman will oblige the corrupt MSM.
But WHY is it necessary for today's politicians to announce their personal beliefs? Do they imagine their constituents will follow suit?
If you stand for nothing you’ll fall for anything.
This is the time for Conservatives to stand firm. And for Republicans to become Conservative.
Why do homos define themselves by their sexuality? It’s all they can ever talk about. I think they are all mentally disturbed. Also, it’s disgusting.
Yes we are. This man knew well before his re-election. I find it difficult to believe a mother and father could not detect/suspect this defect in one of their children right on up until they “suddenly” come out.
He’s a RINO, always has been, always will be. He’s just doing this now to get more votes from a group that media would have the American Electorate believe comprises 25% of the population but actually only consists of little more than 1%. Widespread homosexuality in the general population is a myth propagated by Hollywood and very intense politcal action by its proponents.
Were he my Senator, he’d be relegated to the voter sh!t pile from now on.
What a self-serving LOSER!!!
OH Republican primary voters haven’t been able to select good candidates for generations now.
If his son was a drug addict, would Portman be in favor of that too?
You can love your kids without supporting their stupidity.
Just amazing how shallow these people are.
I absolutely agree. I am weary of senators who IMPOSE their NEW positions on everyone after they have been elected to serve based on opposite views.
But the big question now is: Will Jebbie and George P. Bush follow suit?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.