John Kasich: 'One, but Not the Same' on Marriage Equality

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Back when I was a freshman at Ohio State University, I had a John Kasich for President bumper sticker on my dorm room door on the sixth floor of Steeb Hall -- this was in the spring of 1999.

Kasich was a young Republican Congressman back in those days (an alumnus of Ohio State, too!) with ambitions for higher office. It wasn't just his ambitions that drew me to his campaign back then, it was his personable tone as he shared complex policies. Kasich was a likable candidate because he brought a fresh, forward-looking perspective to national topics.

Plus, he had good taste in music. Everyone knew he loved Radiohead and U2. And back in the late 1990s, when a politician said they enjoyed bands like these, we paid attention. With Kasich it never rang hollow. Take one interchange with U2's Bono, as remembered in a 2000 Rolling Stone interview, with the young Rep. Kasich asking one of his rock & roll heroes which Radiohead album he preferred: 'Bono, what's your favorite: OK Computer or The Bends? I was a Bends man, but I'm changing.'

Those conversations back in 1999 and 2000 led Kasich to being a champion for the United States' historic debt relief effort for some of the world's poorest countries, especially in Africa -- allowing them to focus in on eradicating poverty, HIV/AIDS and funding better education initiatives. Something else to be incredibly proud about, as a fellow Buckeye.

I was reminded of this young, forward-thinking public servant during the recent GOP debate in Cleveland when FOX NEWS' Megyn Kelly asked Kasich (now governor of Ohio and running again for president) about his personal views on LGBTQ matters and marriage equality.

Here's the transcript:

MEGYN KELLY: The subject of gay marriage and religious liberty. Governor Kasich, if you had a son or daughter who was gay or lesbian, how would you explain to them your opposition to same-sex marriage?

GOVERNOR KASICH: Well, look, I'm an old-fashioned person here, and I happen to believe in traditional marriage. But I've also said the court has ruled --

KELLY: How would you -- how would you explain it to a child?

KASICH: Wait, Megyn, the court has ruled, and I said we'll accept it. And guess what, I just went to a wedding of a friend of mine who happens to be gay. Because somebody doesn't think the way I do, doesn't mean that I can't care about them or can't love them. So if one of my daughters happened to be that, of course I would love them and I would accept them. Because you know what? That's what we're taught when we have strong faith.

So the issues like that, issues like that are planted to divide us. I think the simple fact of the matter is... and I've been saying it all along, we need to give everybody a chance, treat everybody with respect, and let them share in this great American dream that we have, Megyn. So, look, I'm going to love my daughters, I'm going to love them no matter what they do. Because, you know what, God gives me unconditional love. I'm going to give it to my family and my friends and the people around me.

Acceptance. Unconditional love. This is a huge statement!

As an evangelical pastor in Portland, Ore. this is the kind of tone and vision I hope for in our public servants -- no matter their party or politics. This year our new church was kicked out of our denomination for fully welcoming and including LGBTQ sisters and brothers in our church. My belief, along with so many other evangelicals for marriage equality, is that this is the hope and heart of God -- and that the Bible does not condemn, but rather affirms LGBTQ folks who seek to live in love and fidelity. This is a tall order for some in our country, committed to more conservative values. And yet, it's a conservative like John Kasich who leads the way on rhetoric, tone and down-right Christian love despite our differences.

My hope is that leaders, like Kasich, will not only help shape the national conversation on marriage equality, despite our differences in personal beliefs, but help us be a more united people as we recognize the full rights, hopes and dreams of all of our fellow neighbors. -- This feed and its contents are the property of The Huffington Post, and use is subject to our terms. It may be used for personal consumption, but may not be distributed on a website.












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