Pennsylvania Congressman Attends Gay Son’s Wedding Days After Voting Against Same-Sex Marriage Bill

Representative Glenn Thompson, a Pennsylvania Republican, attended his gay son’s wedding just days after voting against a House bill that would codify the right to same-sex marriages into federal law. 

On July 19, three days before his son tied the knot, Thompson was one of 157 Republicans to oppose the legislation known as the Respect for Marriage Act, abbreviated as RFMA. The bill, which passed in the House, would also grant federal protections for interracial marriages. Every single Democrat in the House, 220 in total, voted to approve the bill while only 47 Republicans supported it. 

NBC News reports Thompson’s son told the outlet that he “married the love of [his] life” this past Friday and that his “father was there.” Meanwhile, Thompson’s press secretary, Maddison Stone, also confirmed the lawmaker was in attendance as his son exchanged vows.

“Congressman and Mrs. Thompson were thrilled to attend and celebrate their son’s marriage on Friday night as he began this new chapter in his life,” Stone told NBC. “The Thompsons are very happy to welcome their new son-in-law into their family.”

Thompson’s secretary downplayed the congressman’s decision to vote against the bill in an email sent to Centre Daily: “This bill was nothing more than an election-year messaging stunt for Democrats in Congress who have failed to address historic inflation and out of control prices at gas pumps and grocery stores.”

According to Buzzfeed News, Thompson also delivered a speech at his son’s wedding in which he said he felt “blessed” to celebrate the union.