May 1, 2013
Paul Ryan Supports Gay Adoption & ENDA But Not Marriage Equality
Jason St. Amand READ TIME: 2 MIN.
Former Republican vice-presidential candidate Paul Ryan said Monday he has changed his views on a major gay issue: Ryan now believes same-sex couples should have the right adopt children, Think Progress reports.
The Wisconsin Congressman made his comments during a town hall meeting in his hometown of Janesville, Wis., after an audience member asked about his anti-gay voting record. Ryan admitted to voting against adoption for gay couples in the District of Columbia in 1999.
"I'd vote differently these days," he said. "That was I think a vote I took in my first term, 1999 or 2000. I do believe that if there are children who are orphans who do not have a loving person or couple I think if a person wants to love and raise a child they ought to be able to do that. Period. I would vote that way. I do believe marriage is between a man and a woman, we just respectfully disagree on that issue."
His stance on gay marriage is one reason why the Human Rights Campaign gave the conservative a "zero percent" score for his voting record on LGBT issues.
During the meeting, Ryan also touched on his support for the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, a federal bill that would prohibit employers from discriminating against workers based on sexual orientation or gender identity. Ryan initially didn't want gender identity to be included in the measure, which has been introduced in Congress almost ever session for nearly two decades. Ryan did not say if he would support the more inclusive ENDA this Congress, Think Progress notes.
Just days after Ryan's comments went public, ultra right conservatives are already slamming him. When World Net Daily reported on the story with they used the headline, "Paul Ryan Now OK With Homosexual Adoption." Additionally, Peter LaBarbera (AKA Porno Pete), the president of the anti-LGBT group Americans for Truth About Homosexuality, tweeted, "Paul Ryan sells out on homo'l adoption. Is #GOP now gonna be OK w/ putting kids in homes tht R Intentionally Fatherless or Motherless? #tcot."
Watch a video of Ryan at the town hall meeting below:
