Republican Senator Ends Speculation and Acknowledges He?s Gay

Amid a contentious fight over gay marriage, a Republican state senator said Thursday that he was no longer able to keep his own sexuality a secret.

Sen. Paul Koering, a Republican from central Minnesota, said that by coming out as gay he was hoping to end speculation in political circles about his sexual preference.

Questions about Koering intensified last week, when he was the only Republican to side with Democrats as his party colleagues tried to bypass normal Senate process and force a vote on a constitutional amendment that would define marriage as between a man and a woman.

"I decided to open up my heart and say, 'I'm gay,' and now as far as I'm concerned the matter is closed," Koering said.

Koering, who said he'll seek re-election as a Republican from his largely rural, socially conservative district, said he's still likely to support a statewide vote on the constitutional ban. He said society isn't ready for gay marriage.

"I hope people don't think I'm an activist," said Koering. "I'm not trying to be an activist and I'm not trying to draw a lot of attention ... I'm just trying to do my job. I needed to make this announcement and then put it behind me, so we can continue on with the work that needs to be done."

Though he acknowledged that questions about his sexuality have grown more frequent in recent weeks, Koering said the decision to come out was his alone and didn't have to do with pressure from the media or interest groups.

Chris Barron, political director for the Log Cabin Republicans, a national gay Republican group, said he knew of no gay Republican elected officials from rural parts of the country.

In all, there are 287 gay elected officials in the United States in local, state and federal government offices, according to the Washington-based Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund. Dave DeCicco, the group's spokesman, said he thought about 10 percent of them are Republicans.

"Even in conservative areas, constituents respect honesty of someone coming out," DeCicco said. "They know if they're going to be open about their sexual orientation they will be frank with constituents about important local issues."

The Minnesota Legislature has two other openly gay members, both Democrats from Minneapolis.

A county party chairman from Koering's district called his vote on the ban last week "political suicide." Crow Wing County Republican chairman Brian Lehman estimated that 80 percent of the county's residents were against gay marriage.

"He will definitely be challenged in the primary next year," Lehman said. "My feeling is that he will not be the endorsed candidate."

Koering said he supports laws defining marriage as between a man and a woman, he has qualms with the Minnesota proposal as now written, which would also prohibit civil unions.

"Minnesota has always been a progressive state," Koering said. "I think we need to be mindful that everybody are taxpayers here, and they all are afforded rights. I just want to make sure we don't infringe on somebody's rights."

Supporters of the ban, including a number of Koering's fellow Republican senators, said they didn't expect his revelation to affect the debate over the ban, which has been approved by comfortable margins the last two years by the Republican-controlled House but been blocked in the Democratic Senate.

As it's dragged into its second year, the gay marriage fight has grown more heated and personal. The sponsor of the ban, Sen. Michele Bachmann, R-Stillwater, has asked for state bodyguards and claims to have been trapped in a bathroom by ban opponents. The Democratic senator who supporters see as holding up the bill said he's received early morning telephone calls after a radio advertisement aired his home phone number.

Opponents of the ban said Koering's announcement could put a personal face on the issue for some Republicans.

"When people come out and are honest about their life, in workplaces around the state, that has helped people break through some of the myths and stereotypes," said Monica Meyer, public policy director for OutFront Minnesota, which is leading opposition to the ban.

Koering, 40, said family members and close friends have known he is gay for years. His fellow Republican senators have also known for some time, he said.

"I've known for a couple years," said Senate Minority Leader Dick Day, R-Owatonna. "Paul today is the same as he was yesterday. He does a good job for his district and that's all we care about."

Koering was elected to his seat in 2002, toppling a longtime Democrat after losing to him in the previous two elections. When he walked onto the Senate floor Thursday morning, he was greeted and hugged by a number of colleagues, from both parties. He chatted on his cell phone with someone he later said was a constituent.

"I hope you'll keep me in your prayers," Koering told the woman. "I'm a good Catholic boy, too."

By Patrick Condon, Associated Press Writer

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