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Constituents Question Portman On Same Sex Marriage

Republican U.S. Senator Rob Portman has been called a phony conservative by some on the political right following his announcement last month that he supports gay marriage. And Portman says his constituents have questions about his stance. Jim Letizia reports.

Portman says same-sex marriage has come up repeatedly during his Ohio travels in the last two weeks. He says some people are concerned churches could have to perform same-sex marriages. Portman says the issue isn't about telling churches what to do, but about letting individuals make their own choices. Portman said his shift came after his son Will told his parents he is gay. But Portman also says studying the issue convinced him gay marriage has benefits, including the stability of families. Meanwhile, conservative radio talk show host Michael Reagan recently wrote a column that appeared in the Ironton Tribune newspaper criticizing gay marriage. Most public opinion polls show a majority of Americans support same-sex marriage. But the son of the late President Ronald Reagan tells CNN legalizing gay marriage could lead to polygamy, beastiality, and murder. Reagan claims he has friends who are gay.

Jim has been with WCBE since 1996. Before that he worked as a reporter at another Columbus radio station, and for three newspapers in Southwest Florida.