Senator Comes Out During Gay Marriage Debate [Video]

Nevada senator Kelvin Atkinson came out as gay today during a debate about marriage equality.

Atkinson took to the floor today to talk to his fellow lawmakers about the importance of marriage equality. The Nevada senator said that he has faced discrimination his entire life and that he doesn’t want to see future generations go through the same thing.

And to drive his point home, Atkinson came out and admitted that he was gay.

Atkinson said: “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.”

ABC reports that Nevada is one of many states arguing over gay marriage at the moment. The Supreme Court will soon make a ruling on the Defense Of Marriage Act and many states are racing to pass their own state laws.

Atkinson urged his fellow senators to change the state constitution in order to recognize gay marriage.

Atkinson added: “If this hurts your marriage, then your marriage was in trouble in the first place.”

It’s unclear if the senator coming out today convinced any of the other people in the room but Nevada did vote 12 to 9 to repeal the state’s ban on gay marriage. The proposal will now head to the state assembly before it can be placed on a ballot in 2016.

Nevada is a few years away from legalizing gay marriage but thanks to Senator Atkinson’s bold decision today the state is one step closer.

Here’s a video of the senator coming out during Nevada’s debate on gay marriage today.