Kelvin Atkinson Gay: Nevada Lawmaker Comes Out During Gay Marriage Debate [PHOTO]
Sen. Kelvin Atkinson of Las Vegas publicly declared for the first time that he was gay during a debate on repealing gay marriage ban in the state.
"I'm black. I'm gay," Atkinson said.
The Las Vegan Sun described Atkinson of having a in a trembling voice during his announcement. He also described his father's interracial re-marriage that would have been banned during a different era of American history.
"I know this is the first time many of you have heard me say that I am a black, gay male."
Atkinson made his remarks Monday as the legislature was debating whether or not to repeal gay marriage from the state's constitution through the measure Senate Joint Resolution 13 . Supporters and opponents spent an hour pleading their case. They argued over the religious differences and public policy. Democrats argued that they were advocating for equality while Republican lawmakers denied that they were being held to a different standard from those who had not yet evolved on the issue.
"Until about a year ago this was the view of the president of the United States," Sen. Mark Hutchison said of his opposition.
"I do not recall his supporters labeling him as intolerant, or insensitive or hypocritical or unenlightened. He had a different view than others."
Sen. Ruben Kihuen voted in favor of SJR13.
"I don't know if I'll be allowed in church on Sunday," said Sen. Ruben Kihuen.
Sen. Kihuen is a Catholic. He said his "more progressive" girlfriend often berated him for resisting gay marriage rights.
Opposing him was Sen. Joe Hardy who is a Mormon. He declared that marriage was ordained by God.
"I do not believe this measure will strengthen the family as the fundamental unit of society," he said.
Atkinson's comments were the emotional peak. He denounced that gay marriage would threaten any other union.
"If this hurts your marriage, then your marriage was in trouble in the first place," he said.
Voters passed the ban in 2000 and 2002. However, the legislature passed a domestic partnership law over former Gov. Jim Gibbons' veto in 2009. Gibbons was a Republican. A recent poll found that voters had changed course and wanted its repeal.
Ultimately, the vote for Senate Joint Resolution 13 was 12-9. Sen. Ben Kieckhefer was the only Republican to offer his support for the measure. However, he did not make any comment during the proceedings.
