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GOP Rep. opposes the idea of his own son's right to marry

Arizona congressman, Matt Salmon, R-Ariz., said in a candid interview with 3TV News  that, “I don’t support the gay marriage," in spite of having a son
File photo: Newly-elected U.S. Rep. Matt Salmon speaks to the crowd during an election night party, Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2012, at a hotel in Phoenix. Salmon defeated Democratic challenger Spencer Morgan for Arizona's fifth congressional district. (AP Photo...
File photo: Newly-elected U.S. Rep. Matt Salmon speaks to the crowd during an election night party, Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2012, at a hotel in Phoenix. Salmon...

Arizona congressman, Matt Salmon, R-Ariz., said in a candid interview with 3TV News  that, “I don’t support the gay marriage," in spite of having a son who is out as a gay man.

“I’m just not there, as far as believing  in my heart that we should change 2,000 years of social policy in favor of redefinition of the family. I’m not there,” said Salmon, who is a devout Mormon.  “It doesn't mean that I don’t have respect, it doesn't mean that I don’t sympathize with some of the issues. It just means I haven’t evolved to that station.”

Salmon's son, also named Matt Salmon, has lived with his boyfriend, Kent Flake, for ten years and said that he has lost contact with his family over his support of gay rights, the Phoenix New Times reported in 2010.

The topic of same sex marriage was in the national spotlight last week as the Supreme Court heard oral arguments on Prop 8 and DOMA. The American public also weighed in on social media with a viral campaign and according to a CBS poll 53%  are in support of same sex marriage.

Senator Rob Portman, R-Ohio, recently made headlines after he attributed his gay son with changing his mind on same-sex marriage. Portman now supports marriage equality.