September 23, 2007 | Sex & Society

A father's love

San Diego's Mayor Jerry Sanders did not always support gay marriages. But when his daughter came out as a lesbian, everything changed.

"As I reflected on the choices that I had before me last night I could just not bring myself to tell an entire group of people in our community they were less important, less worthy or less deserving of the rights and responsibilities of marriage than anyone else simply because of their sexual orientation," he said, explaining his decision to support sending a city brief to the state Supreme Court arguing against California's ban on same sex marriage.

Because of his change of heart, the council resolution passed with a vote of 5-3.

"I want for [my daughter and two gay staff members] the same thing that we all want for our loved ones, for each of them to find a mate whom they love deeply and loves them back, someone with whom they can grow old together and share life's experiences, and I want their relationships to be protected equally under the law."

Why do politicians become so thoughtful when their own family is involved?