LGBT
Related: About this forumMaryland Republican: Meeting gay couples left me 'changed person'
Last edited Fri Feb 24, 2012, 03:31 PM - Edit history (1)
Maryland State Sen. Richard Madaleno, right, hugs Rep. Maggie McIntosh, center, and Rep. Mary Washington, all openly gay members of the Maryland General Assembly, in Annapolis after the Senate approved a gay marriage bill. (Patrick Semansky / Associated Press / February 23, 2012)
By Ian Duncan
Washington Bureau
February 23, 2012, 5:18 p.m.
A chance shake-up of Maryland House of Delegates seating assignments brought Republican Wade Kach face to face with gay couples who had come to make the case for a gay marriage law, and might have proved decisive in its final passage through the state's General Assembly on Thursday.
In an effort to get the bill to the House floor, a special joint committee was formed and legislators were left scrambling for seats. Kach, who had previously backed attempts to define marriage as between one man and one woman, found a space right next to the witness table.
"I saw with so many of the gay couples, they were so devoted to another. I saw so much love," he said. "When this hearing was over, I was a changed person in regard to this issue. I felt that I understood what same sex couples were looking for."
A week later, Kach voted for the gay marriage bill on the floor of the House of Delegates, one of only two Republicans to do so. Their support proved vital, as the bill squeaked through the 141-member chamber on a 7267 vote. The bill's passage through the Senate also was close it passed 25-22 Thursday and Gov. Martin O'Malley, a Democrat and a strong supporter the law, is expected to sign it soon.
more
http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-pn-maryland-gay-marriage-republican-supporter-20120223,0,3727286.story
xchrom
(108,903 posts)joeybee12
(56,177 posts)calimary
(80,693 posts)It's just really hard to achieve, but not every "heart" on the other side of the aisle is that hardened. I said "heart" because I seriously don't think many republi-CONS have one. I think what exists in its place might be a rock, or maybe a cash register.
William769
(55,124 posts)hootinholler
(26,449 posts)Should that happen D turnout will be critical in a state where Obama is relatively safe.
It's not over, but it is a tremendous step in the right direction.
Orangepeel
(13,933 posts)They don't have to wait until the Governor signs. They need something like 55,000 total; a third by the end of May and the rest by the end of June.
It is expected that opponents of equality will be able to get the signatures (courts recently ruled that signatures can be collected online) so you are right that turnout of liberals is important.
http://thedailyrecord.com/2012/02/24/maryland-gay-marriage-opponents-begin-referendum-effort/
zipplewrath
(16,646 posts)He was fond of pointing out that the more people that "knew" a gay person, the fewer bigots there were. The GOP noise machine has a hard time fighting against first person knowledge. It's much harder to stereotype a person when you actually know the whole person.
yurbud
(39,405 posts)In my generation, there were ZERO out gays in my high school (let alone middle school).
Even though gays get a lot of crap in K-12, kids at least know them, and most are no more afraid of them than of the fat kid or the jock or the student body president--they are just part of the social landscape.
onlyadream
(2,159 posts)That in her high school, the gay kids are very well liked.
MNBrewer
(8,462 posts)Remember Me
(1,532 posts)First, re the OP, I love redemption stories. A Republican dropping some of his homophobia? Priceless.
And yes, it beautfully demonstrates one reason coming out is so crucial. I was absolutely riveted during my recent re-review -- and posting -- of one of my favorite books, Homophobia, A Weapon of Sexism by Suzanne Pharr which has been used in a lot of women's studies programs. This paragraph says so much to me and also demonstrates a really good reason to be out, IMO:
BlancheSplanchnik
(20,219 posts)That is a rare republican--one who is capable of seeing that human beings are human beings, and deserve respect.
How does he manage to stay in that party of lies?
(heads up: photo is misleading. It's not a photo of the republican Kach who allowed his human compassion to over ride the ideology.)
Here's Wade Kach (R)
yurbud
(39,405 posts)valerief
(53,235 posts)Salviati
(6,002 posts)the problem is that they have no empathy. They cannot understand peoples problems unless they themselves are personally faced with the same problem, or perhaps in some cases like this one, the issue is presented directly to him by people they know well.
How many people think that Dick Cheney would be lobbying for marrige equality if his daughter wasn't gay? I sure as heck don't.
valerief
(53,235 posts)Republican people may come around, but not pols. That's not the deal they've struck with the GOP.
Yooperman
(592 posts)100% agree!!
Until an issue affects them directly they (repugs) don't seem to care. Whether that be gay marriage ... healthcare... the unemployed...ect.. ect....
I have to give this republican credit though... he will certainly face some wrath from those that are blinded by hate. But it is kinda like republicans have to come out also to show others in their party that it is the right thing to do.....the more that change their position... more will have the courage to do what is right instead of blindly following the party line.
YM
tooeyeten
(1,074 posts)the party of the self-absorbed. Just think voters select these people that reflect their views, not to uphold the Constitution.
arikara
(5,562 posts)I've known lots of people who held certain views when they were younger, but life and experience has helped them shape other views as they grow older. And in the end, republicans are only people.
MADem
(135,425 posts)Of course people evolve, if they are smart and are inclined. People often overcome their conditioning.
Unless they're dead. Then, they just get baptized by Mittsy's Mormons!
ProudToBeBlueInRhody
(16,399 posts)Lincoln Chafee.....for example.
I think it's sad you are so cynical. Not every Republican known to man is a hardcore Santorum-style hatemonger. If someone has the ability to open their heart and mind to sit down with real people who are affected by this issue, they'll realize their opposition to it is pointless and cruel. You're dismissing and undermining the true moral of the story by just acting like it must have been a political move.
LaydeeBug
(10,291 posts)n2doc
(47,953 posts)Jack Rabbit
(45,984 posts)Let the heavens sing for Mr. Kach.
FiveGoodMen
(20,018 posts)LeftinOH
(5,341 posts)nor am I female. His epiphany on this issue is nice an all, but there is something to be said for having an innate ability to "feel" the arguements of an issue on its intellectual and logical points alone. Some politicians (but not nearly enough of them) are equipped with this kind of empathy; he's not one of them.
nolabear
(41,915 posts)People with an innate ability to feel empathy can be frightened out of it (for no good reason) or be deeply invested in identifying with something that throws up barriers. It's not that it isn't there; they just incorrectly perceive that there's a cost. If logic and exposure can bring out that latent ability who are we not to welcome them with open arms?
dougolat
(716 posts).....I find it hopeful and heartwarming when someone grows up a bit more.
Glad he voted his conscience rather than his party's twisted ideology.
Vattel
(9,289 posts)I mean, you'd think someone in that position in the 21st century would have already known that gay couples can be loving. Oh well, I'm glad Rip van Winkle is rubbing the sleep out of his eyes.
Bruce Wayne
(692 posts)Brickbat
(19,339 posts)Doctor_J
(36,392 posts)and then move your spotty white ass over to the one that sane people belong to. If this guy stays a Repuke he's a fucking hypocrite.
DeSwiss
(27,137 posts)[center]
[/center]
saras
(6,670 posts)Obviously, not EVERY republican who is exposed to gay couples goes through this.
But it would be wonderful to know what was different this time.
And even more wonderful to be able to reproduce it.
Response to n2doc (Original post)
Post removed
Kalidurga
(14,177 posts)Next I want to read that a Republican met with an unemployed person and found out that they are not lazy just out of work for the moment.
annabanana
(52,791 posts)As it always has been...
grahamhgreen
(15,741 posts)Beartracks
(12,761 posts)... to them because they think EVERYthing's about sex. But if, like Rep. Kach, you can see the issue as being about love, companionship, and security, you can finally learn that these citizens aren't seeking "gay marriage" -- they're simply seeking "marriage equality."
======================
AllyCat
(16,031 posts)The Repukes will probably kick him and the other R that voted for it out of the party now. But he now understands on some level.
shcrane71
(1,721 posts)iandhr
(6,852 posts)... is matters that they do it. This is a great story how a Republican who was against equality saw our gay brothers and sisters has humans and worthy of equal rights. This country would be a better place if there were more like him.
tooeyeten
(1,074 posts)Why did this person decide to represent the citizens of the state and run for office?
tooeyeten
(1,074 posts)But then don't legislators take oaths to uphold Constitution of the US and their state whether they know LGBT community or not?
There's some absurdity here, isn't there?
MADem
(135,425 posts)Response to n2doc (Original post)
Post removed
jorgebob28
(22 posts)After the ignorance your party shows time and again, why are you still a Republican?
"I saw with so many of the gay couples, they were so devoted to another. I saw so much love," he said. "When this hearing was over, I was a changed person in regard to this issue. I felt that I understood what same sex couples were looking for."
Really, it took you this long to figure it out? You need to get out more often, my man.