A Republican congressman who voted against federal legislation that would force states to recognize same-sex marriage attended his own son’s gay wedding just a few days later. Rep. Glenn Thompson of Pennsylvania apparently doesn’t believe gay marriage should be protected, which must have been pretty awkward when he made an impassioned speech about the love between his son and another man at the wedding.
- Thompson is “thrilled” about his son’s new husband. A statement issued to the Washington Post on Monday via Thompson’s press secretary, Maddison Stone read: “Congressman and Mrs. Thompson were thrilled to attend and celebrate their son’s marriage on Friday night as he began this new chapter in his life. The Thompsons are very happy to welcome their new son-in-law into their family.” Let’s hope that marriage stays legal!
- The speech Thompson gave at his son’s wedding was truly something else. “As they grow and as they get a little older, we also hope and pray they’re going to find that one true love so that they have the opportunity to experience that: Someone to grow old with,” Thompson said, according to a transcript obtained by BuzzFeed. “We love it when they find their one true love, especially when they become a part of our families then.” Is this guy serious?!
- Hey, maybe Thompson was just voting along party lines. How can we expect politicians to actually put the best interest of the people they represent first instead of putting party first and trying to curry favor in politics? Perhaps we should all be a bit more understanding of Thompson and 156 other Republican House members in opposing the Respect for Marriage Act. No? I didn’t think so either.
- Thompson’s press secretary is a master at gaslighting. Her explanation for Thompson’s vote? She had none, but she did claim that it didn’t matter how Thompson voted or the effect that vote might have on the rights of millions of gay and interracial couples to be married. Really, it’s those damn Democrats’ fault! “This bill was nothing more than an election-year messaging stunt for Democrats in Congress who have failed to address historic inflation and out of control prices at gas pumps and grocery stores,” Stone said in an email to the Centre Daily Times. I… what?
- The hypocrisy has gone unacknowledged. Asked whether it was a bit rich for Thompson to vote against gay marriage and then go to his son’s gay wedding which, if Republicans had their way, wouldn’t be legally allowed to happen at all, Thompson had no response. Figures.
