Missouri State Rep. Zach Wyatt says he's a gay Republican because he's not “a one issue person.”

Wyatt publicly announced he's gay on Wednesday to call on Republican leaders to withdraw a proposed bill which would prohibit the discussion of gay issues in Missouri's public schools.

The measure, sponsored by Republican Rep. Steve Cookson, cleared its first hurdle in the House last month. If approved, the bill would also effectively ban Gay-Straight Alliance groups from meeting on school grounds as approved extracurricular entities. This week, the Tennessee House decided to drop a similar proposal.

Appearing on MSBNC's The Last Word, Wyatt was asked by host Lawrence O'Donnell why – knowing the hostility many Republicans hold toward gay rights – he joined the Republican Party.

“The thing is, I'm not a one issue person, Lawrence. I really truly believe that we need to have a smaller government. We need to have a balanced budget,” he answered.

Wyatt added that he hopes his coming out will help young people struggling with their sexuality.

“I just wanted to make sure if I could get one student to not go home, go home from being bullied and hurt themselves, or worse yet, possibly take their own lives, I think I've done my job as a state representative.” (Watch the entire segment at MSNBC.)

(Related: Stephen Colbert skewers “Don't Say Gay” in school bill.)