BAD-ASS OF THE WEEK

Former Utah Gov/Presidential Candidate Jon Huntsman Is Queerty’s Bad-Ass Of The Week!

Jon HuntsmanFor well over a year, we at Queerty have been dinging the dingbats with our esteemed Douche of the Week award. So we thought it was only fair to honor those who do right by the LGBT community.

Introducing the Queerty Bad-Ass of the Week.

Our inaugural Bad-Ass is actually a Republican—former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman—who has come out in favor of same-sex marriage in a column running in the American Conservative. Citing his own 29-year marriage, Huntsman said “there’s nothing conservative about denying other Americans the ability to forge that same relationship with the person they love.”

The former Republican presidential candidate endorsed civil unions for gay couples when he was governor—despite the fact that 70% of his constituents opposed them—but he says his position has evolved:

All Americans should be treated equally by the law, whether they marry in a church, another religious institution, or a town hall. This does not mean that any religious group would be forced by the state to recognize relationships that run counter to their conscience. Civil equality is compatible with, and indeed promotes, freedom of conscience.

He also has some words of warning to the more hateful wing of his party. (Yes, we realize it seems like that’s the only wing there is):

It’s difficult to get people even to consider your reform ideas if they think, with good reason, you don’t like or respect them. Building a winning coalition to tackle the looming fiscal and trust deficits will be impossible if we continue to alienate broad segments of the population. We must be happy warriors who refuse to tolerate those who want Hispanic votes but not Hispanic neighbors. We should applaud states that lead on reforming drug policy. And, consistent with the Republican Party’s origins, we must demand equality under the law for all Americans.

Huntsman already been lauded by LGBT-rights groups—Equality Utah recently honored him and wife Mary Kaye.  And, today, Young Conservatives for the Freedom to Marry released a statement applauding his stance:

Like a growing number of conservatives, Jon Huntsman believes in fairness and freedom and has come to agree that nothing short of marriage for same-sex couples can fulfill these basic principles.

All together now: Good on you!

Photo: Wikipedia

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