This week we learned about GOP Rep. Glenn Thompson, the Pennsylvania lawmaker who voted against protecting same-sex marriage rights then jetted off to celebrate his gay son’s wedding.
We wondered aloud about what on Earth his reception toast was like, knowing the grooms and their guests were aware of exactly what side of history he was on.
Well, wonder no more — a wedding attendee recorded Thompson’s speech and has leaked it online.
The guest shared the audio anonymously with Buzzfeed News, telling the outlet “I think the word should definitely get out there. These politicians need to be exposed for who they really are.”
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In the speech, Thompson emphasized health. Like, a lot. “It’s all about having a healthy child. But it’s about being healthy. It’s about them being healthy.”
He also said he hopes his children “find their way, find opportunity, they find inspiration.”
But maybe don’t look to Thompson for any of that inspiration. He was one of 157 Republicans to vote against the Respect for Marriage Act, which seeks to repeal the Clinton-era Defense of Marriage Act and require federal recognition of same-sex marriages in the United States.
Still, he said he was “thankful” that his son found his “true love,” and welcomed him into the family with open arms. Apparently all those other same-sex couples in antigay states are on their own, though, if the conservative Right gets its way.
Here’s the audio recording of the very special toast:
.@BuzzfeedNews uncovers new audio of Rep. Glenn Thompson's (R-PA) speech at his gay son's wedding three days after voting against federal recognition of same-sex marriages:
"This has been a really good experience … to have a new son enter the family … We're just blessed." pic.twitter.com/m4W7YLolkU
— The Recount (@therecount) July 26, 2022
And a full transcript in all its hypocritical glory:
We really appreciate you all being here, and being a part of that. You know, as a parent — parents have hopes and dreams, right, with their kids, from the time that they’re born and they’re creeping and crawling and walking and falling over and walking again, and all the things that they learn right through their teens and into becoming adults. We have hopes and dreams. First of all, obviously, we hope right from the beginning, it’s all about having a healthy child. But it’s about being healthy. It’s about them being healthy. We hope for safety. We’re hoping that they find their way, find opportunity, they find inspiration. And as they grow and as they get a little older, we also hope and pray they’re going to find that one true love so that they have the opportunity to experience that: Someone to grow old with. So we’re just really thankful that you’re here. It actually goes beyond that, as parents. We love it when they find their one true love, especially when they become a part of our families then. That’s what we’re rooting for. We’ve been fortunate with three sons, and [REDACTED]’s done a great job of adding to the family. Every kid showed up through cesarean section so it wasn’t all pleasant, right! So this has been a really good experience, especially for Penny, to have a new son enter the family! So we’re just blessed, and we just want to say thank you to everyone here as part of the celebration.
Naturally, Twitter had some thoughts:
Honesty and integrity: hallmarks of Republican politicians.
— Grumpy.yankee 🇺🇸 🇺🇦 (@YankeeGrumpy) July 26, 2022
You must only listen to what I say; never watch what I do.
— JustinAFrankMD (@JustinFrankMD) July 26, 2022
WTAF?
— 899MadisonMemphis ☮️ (@PWRFL41) July 26, 2022
— SunMotive (@freerain66) July 26, 2022
I mean it’s not personal; it’s business
— David Glasner (@david_glasner) July 27, 2022
Whether it’s abortion or gay marriage, far right politicians will make exceptions for their loved ones. That’s what privilege is. Being in then group that can take advantage of the exceptions.
— Teresa Berkowitz (@TeresaBerkowitz) July 27, 2022
What an effing coward.
— Herschel’s Biology Professor (@vealchop1963) July 26, 2022
It’s pathetic that this man voted against same-sex marriage for fear of reprisals.
— Alanju 🌻😷🇩🇪🇺🇸 🇬🇧 (@Wuzzis69) July 26, 2022
abfab
C-Sections. Oh yeah, that’s what you want to hear about while scarfing down your lasagna……..
dario717
Since this news broke, the big item for me is the sadness I feel for his son. How trapped he must be, or at least feel, to be inclined to invite this sorry sack of a father to the wedding.
Doug
Thinking the same thing. I wonder what his son thinks of his political stance after his dad congratulated them both at their wedding. Wondering if Thompson is being swayed to vote by the rest of his cronies, he sounds very believable in his speech. It’s kind of sad.
rand503
That’s ridiculous. You think the Cheney daughter felt that way when her dad Dick Cheney instituted an entire policy to target gays? NFW. They are republicans through and through, and that means they got theirs, and screw everyone else.
Man About Town
I’ve never met the son, so perhaps I’m speaking out of turn, but I’d like to think he isn’t feeling “trapped” but rather excited and hopeful about the new life he’s about to create with his new husband, regardless of whatever the dynamic may be between him and his dad.
RickHeathen
I can’t stand people whose words don’t jibe with their actions. Mixed signals are annoying as hell.
abfab
I think I saw him in the back room of the Anvil a few years back…all tied up like the pig that he is, drinking from the urinals.
SDR94103
please, stop using a gay establishment to put down this nasty ass wipe. thank you.
Cam
Another lying Republican hypocrite. It wouldn’t surprise me if he turned out to be paying for rentboys either.
Jim
He doesn’t love his son. That is the take. away and that is what is sad
Night
We continually teach to change the world through relating. Maybe making an exception for a loved one is the beginning of becoming a better man. Thompson had to account for facing his colleagues later. I say great work, even if it starts with an exception.
Cam
No, he’s a typical Republican. Vote against abortion then fly your daughter or mistress (or both in the case of many Republicans) to Canada to get an abortion.
Hypocrisy is their way of life.
Fahd
Just an empty vessel going through the motions. How sad not to feel love. Do the right thing, DAD, before it’s too late.
Terrycloth
Take alot of words out of that word salad he ,typical politician said little to further lgbtq+ marriage , protections , Hope son moves out of state to one where he isn’t treated like a second class citizen deserving of rights his dad has within a marriage. Dad wears 2 faces. Thanks for showing up..time to part ways to better my.life
LumpyPillows
Picture perfect example of hypocrisy.
banditboy
I hope the remaining years for him and his family are short and painful and they rot in Hell afterward. That includes the son who didn’t have the balls to tell his dad hot to show up if he voted no on codifying same sex marriage.
whereshouldistart
The son is just as guilty as his father. The apple doesn’t fall far…
radiooutmike
Much the same of: More for me, but not for thee.
maxlovesrio
If I were the son, I would have told my father not to come to my wedding if he didn’t support gay marriage.
JTinToronto
It would seem that he is a politician first, and a father second, or maybe last.
bachy
Bless you and your two sons– and F everybody else.
whereshouldistart
That’s exactly what they did.
abfab
Exactly! Good one.
myloginname
Hey, look mom! This guy is more repugnant than you are. (Probably because he is a political figure and you are not, but that’s it)
JeffBaker
The telling thing is that the usual far-right suspects who would scream if a GOP member promoted public school education are totally mum on this…
CityguyUSA
He’s elected to represent his constiuents not his own personal feelings. Peoole seem to forget that when it suits their needs.
RickHeathen
No one should have the ability to destroy people’s marriages by vote. What his constituents want is irrelevant. They’re F-ing bigots who do not deserve being pandered to if they want that.
MrMichaelJ
Uh, marriage support is currently at 70%.
Stefano
@MrMichaelJ : It’s more like 62% but at least it’s changing. In 2010, only 42% were in favor of same-sex marriage. There is a reason why the Republicans want to change the laws…
TomG
As we already KNOW GOP members are total and complete hypocrites and seemingly that will never change.
ralphb
I’m not so sure that if you were vaccinated for Smallpox in your childhood, that it is still effective against Monkey pox. This is from the CDC website.
“Re-vaccination After Exposure
Persons exposed to monkey pox virus and who have not received the smallpox vaccine within the last 3 years, should consider getting vaccinated.
The sooner the person receives the vaccine, the more effective it will be in protecting against monkey pox virus.”
G R
It must be truly horrible to realize that your own father is a two-faced liar. That he’ll come and happily celebrate your wedding and then go back to work on Monday and enact any kind of legislation to undermine, if not totally strip away your rights.
What will be very interesting to watch is whether or not Thompson will ever say ANYTHING about his father’s hypocrisy…??
Kangol2
Hypocritical and typical RepubliQan garbage person!
Stefano
Typical Repulican for sure. How lucky I am to have had a father who accepted me as I am. My comimg out was so easy. Most are not so lucky, especially in the United States. The next few years are going to be very difficult for gays in the United States because we feel that a wave of conservatism is sweeping the country.