Arizona Republican Rep. Matt Salmon says he loves his gay son, but still can’t support same-sex marriage.
“I don’t support gay marriage,” Mr. Salmon said, to KTVK in Phoenix. “My son is by far one of the most important people in my life. I love him more than I can say.”
The stand comes in direct opposition to Republican Sen. Rob Portman’s. The Ohio conservative recently announced a flip-flop of his view on same-sex marriage, due in part, he said to various media, to one of his son’s revelations of homosexuality.
“I’m just not there as far as believing in my heart that we should change 2,000 years of social policy in favor of a redefinition of the family. I’m not there,” Mr. Salmon said, as quoted in Politico.
Mr. Salmon’s statements come as another Capitol Hill politician announced support for gay marriage — this time, Pennsylvania Democrat Sen. Bob Casey. Mr. Casey — who has previously supported civil unions — said he now favors repealing the Defense of Marriage Act because of letters he received from gays that pulled at his heart.
“After much deliberation and after reviewing the legal, public policy and civil rights questions presented, I support marriage equality for same-sex couples and believe that DOMA should be repealed,” he said, as quoted in Politico. “Letters [I received from LGBT community] included deeply personal statements. … These stories had a substantial impact on my position on this issue.”
Mr. Casey pondered, in Politico: “If two people of the same sex fall in love and want to marry, why would our government stand in their way?”
• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
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