Last week Ohio Republican Senator Rob Portman announced his newfound support for marriage equality despite siding with his Party's anti-gay stance throughout his political career.
Portman admitted that his position on gay marriage evolved over the last two years after he learned that his 21-year-old son was gay in 2011.
"I have come to believe that if two people are prepared to make a lifetime commitment to love and care for each other in good times and in bad, the government shouldn't deny them the opportunity to get married," Portman wrote in an op-ed piece in Ohio's Columbus Dispatch paper, titled "The Freedom to Marry."
"I've come to the conclusion that for me, personally, I think this is something that we should allow people to do, to get married, and to have the joy and stability of marriage that I've had for over 26 years. That I want all of my children to have, including our son, who is gay," wrote Portman.
In response, GOP House of Representatives Speaker John Boehner said on Sunday that he disagrees with Sen. Portman's change of heart and that he "can't imagine" ever supporting gay marriage.
"Rob is a great friend and a long-time ally," Boehner, said of his friend and fellow Ohio Republican in an interview with ABC's "This Week."
"I believe that marriage is the union of one man and one woman. It's what I grew up with. It's what I believe. It's what my church teaches me. And I can't imagine that position would ever change," added Boehner, who is a Roman Catholic.
Later this month, the Supreme Court will hear two cases related to gay marriage. One challenges the 1996 federal Defense of Marriage Act, which defines marriage as a union between a man and a woman. The other case is in regard to California's ban on gay marriage known as Proposition 8.
Watch a clip from Boehner's interview below.
- Contribute to this Story:
- Send us a tip
- Send us a photo or video
- Suggest a correction
