During a New Hampshire campaign stop at the Puritan Backroom Diner last night, Senator Marco Rubio didn’t get the reception he was hoping for when a middle-aged gay man asked, “Why do you want to put me back in the closet?”
Rubio’s answer was not convincing: “I don’t, you can live any way you want.”
From the New York Times:
The voter, who identified himself as Timothy Kierstead, was seated at a table with his mother and his husband when Mr. Rubio walked up behind him, according to pool reports of the encounter. During a brief conversation, Mr. Kierstead, 50, told Mr. Rubio that he was married but complained that the senator’s position amounted to him declaring that “we don’t matter.”
Mr. Rubio, who was standing with his youngest son, Dominick, 8, by his side, gently disagreed. “No, I just believe marriage is between one man and one woman.”
“Well,” replied Mr. Kierstead, “that’s your belief.”
Mr. Rubio continued: “I think that’s what the law should be. And if you don’t agree you should have the law changed by a legislature.”
Mr. Kierstead said the law had already been changed, referring either to a Supreme Court ruling that has legalized same-sex marriage across the country or to state legislation in New Hampshire that did the same.
Mr. Rubio decided to conclude their conversation. “I respect your view,” he said, patting Mr. Kierstead on the shoulder and starting to walk away.
Mr. Kierstead was unsatisfied. “Typical politician,” he said loudly. “Walk away.”
New Hampshire was actually the first state to freely legislate marriage equality.
