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OHIO –

Just days before the Supreme Court hears arguments over the Defense of Marriage Act, one of it’s co-sponsors is changing his mind.

Ohio Republican Senator Rob Portman was a Congressman when he backed the 1996 law. It declares marriage to be a union between a man and a woman and denies federal benefits to same-sex couples.

For years, Ohio Senator Portman has consistently voted against gay rights.

In 1999, he voted against the right of gay, Washington D.C. couples to adopt children. Three years earlier, he co-sponsored a landmark piece of legislation – the Defense of Marriage Act.

Now – Portman is reversing his long held position for a very personal reason. Two years ago, Portman’s son Will, then a freshman at Yale University, came out to his parents.

That admission caused Portman to reassess his beliefs – consulting with his pastor as well as former Vice President Dick Cheney – whose daughter is gay. Cheney’s counsel “Follow your heart.”

To read Senator Portman’s statement, click here: 19actionnews.com

Article and Picture Courtesy of WOIO 19 Action News

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