Dick Cheney is said to be a major participant in a lobbying campaign to push same-sex marriage legislation in Maryland according to reports at The Baltimore Sun. The former vice president has been vocal in his support for gay and lesbian marriage and his support for the LGBT community has since increased since leaving his previous post.
Cheney, along with other supporters of equality in Maryland, have set eyes on a goal to attain at least one lawmaker in the state to back same-sex marriage in hopes of the measure eventually passing as legislation.
According to reports at The Baltimore Sun, Maryland Del. Wade Kach (R) offered to meet with the former vice president in an effort to discuss and support marriage equality.
Kach had previously expressed determination to vote against same-sex marriage. He later told The Sun that he changed his mind after hearing from LGBT activists and allies after nearly 11 hours of discussion.
Other supporters of same-sex marriage including Ken Mehlman, former Republican National Committee chair, and New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg encouraged Kach to consider voting for passage of the measure.
“I don’t know if this report is true, but it wouldn’t surprise me if it is,” said Jimmy LaSalvia, co-founder and executive director of GOProud. “Vice President Cheney, who owns a home in Maryland, has always said that the states should decide this issue and that the federal government shouldn’t have a policy regarding marriage. He has also stated that he is in favor of same sex civil marriage.”
A reportedly high-profile Republican told The Huffington Post they did not know of Cheney’s involvement in the lobbying efforts to pass same-sex marriage in Maryland. According to The Huffington Post, Cheney’s office was not available for immediate comment.
