Mark Kirk becomes second Senate Republican to support same-sex marriage
Illinois Sen. Mark Kirk announced his support for same-sex marriage today, becoming the second Senate Republican to endorse marriage equality.
“When I climbed the Capitol steps in January, I promised myself that I would return to the Senate with an open mind and greater respect for others,” Kirk wrote on his blog.
“Same-sex couples should have the right to civil marriage. Our time on this Earth is limited, I know that better than most,” Kirk continued. “Life comes down to who you love and who loves you back– government has no place in the middle.”
There are now 50 U.S. senators who support same-sex marriage. Earlier today, Sen. Tom Carper (Del.) became the latest in a flood of Senate Democrats to endorse same-sex marriage as the Supreme Court considers two landmark cases. Last month, Sen. Rob Portman (Ohio) became the first Senate Republican to support same-sex marriage after learning that his son is gay.
Kirk, much like Carper, is from a state considering marriage-equality legislation. The Illinois Senate approved same-sex marriage legislation on Valentine’s Day, but the bill has not yet been considered by the Illinois House of Representatives.
[Photo: Mark Kirk (Courtesy of the U.S. Senate)]
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