Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-MO) has a fairly solid record on supporting LGBT equality, particularly in contrast to her most recent challenger, former Rep. Todd Akin (R-MO). It wasn’t until this weekend, however, that she expressed her full support for marriage equality:
I have come to the conclusion that our government should not limit the right to marry based on who you love. While churches should never be required to conduct marriages outside of their religious beliefs, neither should the government tell people who they have a right to marry.
My views on this subject have changed over time, but as many of my gay and lesbian friends, colleagues and staff embrace long term committed relationships, I find myself unable to look them in the eye without honestly confronting this uncomfortable inequality. Supporting marriage equality for gay and lesbian couples is simply the right thing to do for our country, a country founded on the principals of liberty and equality.
Good people disagree with me. On the other hand, my children have a hard time understanding why this is even controversial. I think history will agree with my children.
McCaskill is not the only lawmaker who has discussed the issue of same-sex marriage with her children. Sen. Rob Portman (R-OH) recently came out for marriage equality as well, largely due to his son, Will, coming out to him. Will wrote today in the Yale Daily News about the national exposure he’s received and how proud he is of his dad. Both McCaskill and Portman have incredible potential to make a “positive impact on anyone who is closeted and afraid.”