Maine Senator Susan Collins, a
Republican, on Wednesday endorsed gay marriage.
Collins released a statement on the
issue after the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the nation's largest
LGBT rights advocate, endorsed Collins for a fourth term.
“A number of states, including my
home state of Maine, have now legalized same-sex marriage, and I
agree with that decision,” Collins said.
Ohio Senator Rob Portman was the first
GOP senator to make such an endorsement. Portman said in March, 2013
that the issue had become personal for him after his son came out
gay. Roughly two weeks later, Illinois Senator Mark Kirk followed
suit, saying that after suffering a major stroke he realized that
“our time on Earth is limited.” Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski
followed suit last summer.
In endorsing Collins, HRC President
Chad Griffin praised Collins' record on gay rights.
“Senator Susan Collins has played a
pivotal role in advancing support for LGBT equality – from her
dogged support for the repeal of 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' to her
critical vote for the Employment Non-Discrimination Act last year,”
Griffin
said. “HRC is proud to stand with Senator Collins, and with
allies on both sides of the aisle like her, because she firmly
believes that every American should be evaluated based on their
abilities, and not who they love.”