When the debate surrounding the legalization of gay marriage began in Maryland, supporters of the new legislation knew that they would need to do a lot of convincing. First they needed to change the public’s opinion. Then they needed to convince politicians. And when gay marriage was finally legalized this year, supporters knew that it was going to be the first steps towards true marriage equality.
But while the battle for marriage rights appears to have been won in Maryland, in other states the circumstances are not the same, which is fueling another marriage-rights topic: gay adoption. While supporters say that legalizing gay marriage give these people the right to adopt a child, advocates against the move appear to be holding fast to their convictions.
Well, all expect Republican Senator Paul Ryan who has recently announced his change in opinion. As some people here in Maryland may know, Senator Ryan has never been quiet about his feelings against gay marriage and gay adoption. But in a surprising move this month, the Wisconsin republican reversed his stance on gay adoption and said, “I think if a person wants to love and raise a child they ought to be able to do that. Period. I would vote that way.”
Ryan is careful to point out however that his views on gay marriage remain the same. While people in the LGBT community as less enthused about his split feelings about the gay and lesbian community, they do feel that the reversal in his stance speaks highly of the changing public opinion on LGBT rights.
Source: MSNBC News, “Gay adoption: Paul Ryan’s careful change of position,” Emma Margolin, May 1, 2013