A black lawmaker in Nevada comes out as that state wrestles with repealing its gay marriage ban.
Kelvin Atkinson became the fifth openly gay member of the Nevada legislature after acknowledging he was gay. The senator addressed his colleagues Monday, stepping into the murky waters of race, sexuality and civil rights during the hour-long debate, Bossip reports.
“I’m black. I’m gay… I know this is the first time many of you have heard me say that I am a black, gay male.”
Kelvin also said his father’s interracial marriage would have been banned decades before, and said people concerned that gay marriage would hurt the institution probably have trouble in their own marriages to begin with.
The Nevada Senate approved the repeal by a 12-9 vote.
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