By his own admission, retiring U.S. Rep. Jim Kolbe is an unusual Republican.
A congressman from southeastern Arizona, Kolbe favored abortion rights, backed stem cell research and even tried to kill the coin bearing President Lincoln’s mug because the penny costs more to produce than it’s worth.
But it was his status as an openly gay Republican that made Kolbe truly unique among his congressional peers. After he came out in 1996, Kolbe bucked many in his party to become a strong supporter of gay rights initiatives.
“My strongest contributions were simply standing up and talking about these issues on the floor, in caucuses and when it came up for debate,” he said. “There’s something to be said for speaking up for equality.”
Preparing to retire from Congress, Kolbe discussed how coming out changed his life, his politics and his perspective of Capitol Hill. He also discussed the heartwarming duties he’ll miss — and the infuriating debates he’s happy to leave behind.
He said this year’s debate over the proposed marriage protection amendment, an effort to ban gay marriage, was a prime example.
“It was an absolute waste of the American taxpayers’ time and a waste of Congress’ time,” he said. “It was a diversion, done solely to build support in the so-called base of the party — the religious right.”
Kolbe said such bedroom politics violate his political beliefs.
“I believe that government should not intrude in people’s lives any more than absolutely necessary. I’m puzzled when people tell me they also think that — except when it comes to the bedroom.”
Conservative Republicans won’t miss Kolbe’s libertarian arguments.
Bob Haran, a conservative political activist in Phoenix, said some Republicans might burst into song when Kolbe leaves Congress.
“Jim Kolbe is the only openly homosexual Republican in Congress,” he wrote in a column. “Kolbe is not only pro-abortion, he is one of the few Republicans to vote against the partial birth abortion ban. He will be surely missed by the gay community and Planned Parenthood.”
Kolbe admits his views weren’t always popular within the GOP, but said his dissent encouraged the party to grow and recognize gay issues.
“There is better understanding and discussion than ever before. That’s the critical thing.”
Kolbe, 67, said attitudes toward gay issues on Capitol Hill also have changed since he took office in 1985.
Then, he said, the employment discrimination and hate crimes that affected gays were “simply swept under the rug” and not discussed.
“You couldn’t get people to talk about or articulate their positions on these issues 20 years ago. Today they will do that. The biggest difference is these issues are out. These issues are out of the closet.”
Kolbe came out of the closet himself in August 1996. In the aftermath of his Defense of Marriage Act vote — he supported defining marriage as between one man and one woman because it allowed states to make their own decision — Kolbe feared he would be outed in the press.
In a hastily orchestrated maneuver, Kolbe informed family, friends and the media that he’s gay.
He said the revelation didn’t alter things for him professionally.
“It really didn’t change very much. I can’t say I ever detected a real change in how people treated me after versus before.”
But on a personal level, the public disclosure granted immense relief.
“It was the most gratifying thing that’s ever happened to me. It was a huge burden that was lifted from me.”
Kolbe said his only regret about coming out was not being able to do it at his own pace.
“I still, to this day, believe that it is inappropriate for the news media to out somebody. I think it’s wrong for organizations to take that upon themselves.”
A trade expert, Kolbe is proud of his work to pass the North American Free Trade Agreement. And in working with foreign aid policy, he helped foster economic development in poor countries.
Kolbe’s colleagues, U.S. Reps. Barney Frank (D-Mass.) and Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), are now the only openly gay members of Congress.
