Former GOP lawmaker: Marriage equality consistent with conservative principles

[rurallib]

RW Jeff Angelo comes out for gay marriage
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http://iowaindependent.com/56916/former-gop-lawmaker-marriage-equality-consistent-with-conservative-principles

“I previously bought into the notion that I could tell my gay friends how much I loved them, that I just disapproved of their lifestyle and they would be OK with that,” Angelo admitted. “But they told me that I made them feel lesser in my eyes or that I made them feel like a second-class citizen. I labored under delusion for some time that wasn’t true, that they really believed I loved them and that I was their friend.”

Although Angelo now understands the statements from his friends were true reflections of their feelings and emotions toward his actions to deny them the ability to marry, he isn’t ready to call foul on current elected officials who have fueled much of the ongoing discussions by introducing and passing legislation aimed at establishing a ban on same-sex marriage and civil unions within the Constitution. Instead, the lion share of his criticism is reserved for himself and other like-minded Republicans.

“If only one side of an issue is speaking out, then a person is going to believe they are doing the right thing in allowing the majority to have their way,” he said. “I feel like there are some legislators that had some real struggles with voting for the Constitutional Amendment earlier this session, but ultimately felt they were doing the right thing by their constituents. The only way to turn that around is if people begin to speak to the opposite side of this issue.

“In other words, if there isn’t any organization like Iowa Republicans for Freedom, and there aren’t any Republicans willing to stand up and say they are for marriage equality, then what is a Republican elected official to do?”
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partially for principal, partially because of politics.
Mr. Angelo will now come face to face with the really ugly side of the Republican Party that shows up when a person says something they don't like.
I can show him some examples.

[cyberswede]

1. Uh oh - who will Jim Hahn plagiarize now? n/t

[rurallib]

2. That thought crossed my mind when I heard this yesterday

I could almost see Hahn sending out an LTTE copying Angelo on this, having no idea what Angelo actually said.

[47of74]

3. How long until Angelo gets teabagged right out of the party?