NPR’s Morning Edition Talks to Ileana Ros-Lehtinen About Respect for Marriage Act

Akin Gump senior advisor, former Congresswoman, and Conservatives Against Discrimination co-chair Ileana Ros-Lehtinen appeared on NPR’s Morning Edition on December 9 to discuss Congress’ passage of the Respect for Marriage Act. The bill mandates that all states should recognize same-sex marriages.

Ros-Lehtinen, an advocate for LGBTQ rights during her time in the House of Representatives and after her departure from that chamber, discussed:

• Changing attitudes toward marriage equality: “Once upon a time, you know, we had ‘don't ask, don't tell’ and so many other policies related to marriage inequality and people not living their true selves. So it's really moved fast, and the Republican Party has moved along with it.”
• GOP resistance to same-sex marriage: “Well, I think that they unwisely and incorrectly gauged the nonsupport of their constituents back home, and they're worried about that, that narrow wing of the Republican Party that is - will not - will never accept marriage equality.”
• GOP views on trans issues: “Well, that's going to be the next goal. You know, we've got to understand that not everyone who is born in a certain gender is still identifying with that gender. That will be a tougher nut to crack, and it will seem right now that it will be impossible.”

To hear the full segment, click here.