As we reported yesterday, GOP Rep. Liz Cheney (WY), who famously opposed same-sex marriage, has changed her view.
The public u-turn is personal to Cheney. Her own sister, Mary, is a lesbian and married her partner, Heather Poe in 2012. Liz attended the wedding and told the brides how happy she was for them.
Then, in 2013, Liz made a failed run for the Senate and came out against same-sex marriage during her campaign, much to her own sister’s disappointment.
Appearing on 60 Minutes on Sunday, Liz Cheney admitted she had been wrong. Watch below from the 9-minute mark.
“I was wrong,” she said. “I love my sister very much. I love her family very much. And I was wrong. It’s a very personal issue, and very personal for my family. I believe that my dad was right. And my sister and I have had that conversation.
“We need to work against discrimination of all kinds … Freedom means freedom for everybody.”
Related: Woke Liz Cheney would like a round of applause for saying she thinks gay marriage is OK after all
Sister Mary, the youngest daughter of former Vice President Dick Cheney, took to Facebook to respond to the 60 Minutes airing. Re-posting a link to a news story on her sister’s interview, Mary said she was proud of her sister for changing her views.
“I love my sister very much and am so proud of her. It took a ton of courage to admit that she was wrong back in 2013 when she opposed marriage equality. That is something few politicians would ever do.
“I have nothing but respect and admiration for the strength of character she continues to show on a daily basis. We could certainly use a lot more leaders like Liz Cheney right now.
“And as her sister – I have one more thing that I just have to say.
“I told you so.”
Commentators praised her response.
“What would brothers and sisters do if they didn’t get to say I told you so every now and then! 💖” said one commentator.
“Mary, you have every right to be proud of Liz. I know how much it took for her to admit that she was wrong in opposing gay marriage and standing up to speak out against Trump,” said another.
Liz Cheney was one of only a handful of Republicans to support the second impeachment of former President Donald Trump after the January 6 riots in the capitol this year. That action, and her continuing criticism of Trump, have led to her becoming a pariah among the more right-wing sections of the party.
However, it should also be noted that although she’s changed her views on same-sex marriage, she’s still far from ally status.
In February she joined her Republican colleagues in voting against the passing of the Equality Act, which would enshrine legal protections for LGBTQ people into federal law.
Related: Liz Cheney makes homophobic dig at Matt Gaetz, once again proving they’re both awful
Kangol2
If Liz Cheney cares so much for discrimination, why is she still not supporting full equality for LGBTQ people in her Congressional votes? Why is she not supporting ending vote suppression and restrictive voting laws? Why did she not speak out against Don the Con when he issued his trans ban? Is she criticizing her colleagues who have made racist, homophobic or sexist comments, particularly against immigrants, migrants and refugees? Is she supporting legislation and diplomacy that protects LGBTQ people across the globe? Did she denounce Don the Con’s treaty with the Taliban, 5,000 of whose most dangerous soldiers he pushed to have released last year? Is she supporting legislation that protects the rights and sovereignty of Indigenous people, whose original land we’re all living on? Yes, I get that she finally is showing compassion to her sister, but her legislative record goes far beyond her immediate family and affects the lives of millions of other Americans and people around the globe.
Cam
Liz voted against LGBTQ rights just a few months ago.
She knows Republicans will run a primary opponent against her, she will likely lose, then run as an independent. She is hoping if she says things like this, that Dems will cross over and vote for her since a Dem is unlikely to win in her state anyway.
It isn’t a bad strategy but she isn’t a hero who had a change of heart. She just made a cold calculated decision that this is the best way to retain her seat.
Robert Bradley
Ok! If the family is good and she repented on “the gay thing” then I’m ok on that. Ok! She had ovaries to vote to impeach and sit on the Insurrection Committee, then I’m ok with that…….I believe she has shown redeeming qualities.
BUT….she voted something 93% with the orange shit head. SOOOOOO, another example I don’t like it until it bites my hooch. Liz, dear… continue to be educated to real life…not racist and hateful life. Xoxo
My2Cents
I call BS. FU Liz Cheney this does not absolve you. Your sister has to forgive you but none of us do. It took you 30 years for you to change your mind. By that calculation, a family member would need to be born, come out at trans at 10 years old and maybe in 40 years you change your mind about that. Again, FU!
Seth
Conservatives have set the bar so low that they can’t help but stumble over it, occasionally. Can we stop applauding them every time they choose not to act like sociopaths and just set a standard for that being the default? Please and thank you.