GOP lawmaker with gay son remains opposed to same-sex marriage

Rep. Matt Salmon (R-Ariz.) says he remains opposed to same-sex marriage — even after his son revealed he is gay.

{mosads}”I don’t support the gay marriage,” Salmon told 3TV News in Arizona in an interview posted over the weekend.

“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,” Salmon said. “I’m not there.” 

Salmon’s reaction contrasts with that of Sen. Rob Portman (R-Ohio), who said he changed his mind on same-sex marriage after his own son revealed he is gay.

“It doesn’t mean that I don’t have respect. It doesn’t mean that I don’t sympathize with some of the issues,” Salmon said.

“It just means that I haven’t evolved to that stage. Rob Portman apparently has.”

Salmon’s son, also named Matt, came out as gay several years ago. 

The Supreme Court last week heard arguments in two cases involving whether a federal law prohibiting the recognition of gay marriage is constitutional, and whether California’s ban on same-sex marriage is constitutional.

Two House Republicans, Reps. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (Fla.) and Richard Hanna (N.Y.), recently signed a petition against the Defense of Marriage Act, arguing that same-sex marriage is a constitutional right.