‘I’m Gay’: State Senator Comes Out During Same-Sex Marriage Debate

During a debate Monday night in Carson City, Nevada over a bill that would abolish the definition of marriage as being between a man and a woman, state Sen. Kelvin Atkinson revealed a series of facts about himself to his fellow colleagues: “I’m 44 years old, I have a daughter, I’m black and I’m gay.”

Atkinson continued, saying, “I know for some of you it’s the first time you’re hearing me say that, that I am a black gay male.” He went on to explain what it has been like to be around people who did not know he was homosexual. “I’ve heard people say some nasty, ugly things because they didn’t know that.”

He also told a story about a time a constituent who told him she wasn’t going to vote for him again after he expressed support for “domestic partnership.” Atkinson challenged the idea put forward by that constituent and others that “if marriage equality is passed” heterosexual marriage will be threatened. “If this somehow interrupts your marriage,” he said, “then your marriage was in trouble in the first place.”

Atkinson told the Associated Press’ Sandra Chereb, “I didn’t think” before making the statement on the floor. “I just knew it was time.” He added, “I never considered myself not out. I didn’t care who knew, I just didn’t ever think that I needed to make a public statement about it.”

Watch video below, via KLAS-TV:

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