My interview with a true hero: Patrick Murphy!

Let’s face it, it’s tough for gay people and their straight allies to hear some of the anti-gay things that have come out of the mouths of Mitt Romney, Newt Gingrich and especially Rick Santorum during the Republican primary season.

It makes you feel kind of down about American politics in general.

Then there are people like Patrick Murphy who restores your faith in the process.

He served in the US House of Representatives from 2007-2011 and rather than worrying about being reelected umpteenth times, he decided to stand for something.

The fact that he decided to stand for the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell – despite the risk to his own political future – makes him a true American hero in my book.

He is someone who has actually served in the military – he fought in the first Iraq war – and who formed the opinion that it was detrimental to the military to not allow qualified and patriotic gays and lesbians serve openly.

I had the pleasure of interviewing this man last weekend at the Family Equality Council dinner and found him to be very sincere and committed to LGBT equality.

He told me: ‘A lot of folks said ‘Why did you care so deeply about Don’t Ask Don’t Tell’ in the military then in the Congress?’ It’s pretty simple: I have two little kids who are five and two and I want them to be proud of what their daddy fought for when he had the chance to serve his country.’

To read the rest of my interview with Mr. Murphy, go to Gay Star News.