Zachary Wyatt, GOP Missouri Lawmaker, Says He Is Gay, Denounces 'Don't Say Gay' Bill

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — A Republican Missouri House member who previously served in the U.S. Air Force publicly announced Wednesday that he is gay and called upon GOP leaders in the state Legislature to withdraw a bill that would limit discussion of sexual orientation in public schools.

Rep. Zachary Wyatt, a 27-year-old cattle farmer from the rural northern Missouri town of Novinger, said the legislation had motivated him to disclose his sexual orientation publicly for the first time. Wyatt was joined by nine other Democratic and Republican lawmakers in denouncing Missouri legislation that would prohibit teaching, extracurricular activities or materials that discuss sexual orientation, unless they relate to the scientific facts about human reproduction.

"I will not lie to myself anymore about my own sexuality," Wyatt said during a news conference at the state Capitol. "I am still the same person that I was when I woke up this morning and I will be the same person when I go to bed tonight. Today I ask you to stand with me as a proud Republican, a proud veteran and a proud gay man who wants to protect all kids addressing bullying in our schools."

Wyatt is not running for re-election in Missouri, because he plans to move to Hawaii and study marine biology.

A spokesman for the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund, a national group that backs gay, lesbian, bisexual and transsexual candidate, said Wyatt is the only openly gay Republican in the nation who is currently serving in a state legislature. Other gay Republicans have served in state legislatures in the past. Two other members of the Missouri House, both Democrats from urban areas, are openly homosexual. One Democratic Missouri state senator is also openly lesbian.

The Missouri bill appears unlikely to pass before the session ends May 18. It was referred to a House education committee last month and has not received a hearing. But the legislation has generated attention and controversy. Comedian Stephen Colbert recently mocked it on his cable TV show.

Opponents have dubbed the legislation the "don't say gay" bill. They contend it could forbid teachers from uttering the words "gay" or "lesbian" in the classroom or talking about bullying that gay and lesbian students face from their peers. The legislation also appears to forbid school-sponsored "gay-straight alliance" groups, which advocate for gay and lesbian rights.

The lawmakers at Wednesday's news conference called for the sponsor of the bill to withdraw the legislation.

But Rep. Steve Cookson said he won't do that. Cookson, a Republican from the rural southern Missouri town of Fairdealing, said he believes parents and family members, not schools, should teach children about different kinds of sexuality.

"Those are personal issues that probably should be taught by people outside the school system," he said. "We need to be focusing on what is going to provide students with the skills they need to be productive citizens in our society."

Cookson insisted his bill does not explicitly ban the mention of specific words. He did not say whether he intends to ban school-sponsored "gay-straight alliance" groups.

"I think we're headed into some very tricky waters there," Cookson said. "There could be all kinds of different groups that could want to be sponsored by a school, and some of them you may think are good groups and some of them you may think are bad groups."

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Sexual orientation bill is HB2051.

Online:

House: http://www.house.mo.gov

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Comments

[smartcindy]

04:32 AM on 05/07/2012

I honestly just don't get Gay folks who are aligned with the republican Party. What aspect of the party appeals to them? Can't be tolerence for WHO they are, or WHO they love. Unless they make millions of dollars a year there is no financial reason to do so, Or if they owned a WAR oriented business then I coulld understand, but seriously, WHAT is it about the party that attracts them? Force of Habit? Having Fox do their thinking for them? Come join the Dems. We really are on your side, and we mean it!

[jkevinm80]

09:37 AM on 05/04/2012

Wow. Rep. Cookson is truly living in the 19th century. If he thinks this information is being taught to children by their parents, he is sadly mistaken. If we don't do something to end sexual ignorance in this country soon, we are facing a string of very unpleasant consequences in the very near future. Modern kids are filled with more misinformation on the basic scientific facts of reproduction, and the emotional and financial consequences of their actions than you can possibly imagine, and telling them to "abstain" works about as well as teaching your bulls not to seek out your cows when they are in heat. You can talk all you want, but they are not going to hear you.

[Kate E]

11:01 PM on 05/03/2012

If you disagree with this bill then please sign the petition, http://www.change.org/petitions/stop-house-bill-2051-from-passing-in-missouri.

[rr4real]

09:59 PM on 05/03/2012

here is a hot story from st louis county on Wally World BUYING our elected officials;
http://ballwin-ellisville.patch.com/articles/ellisville-group-wants-officials-recalled-via-walmart#comments_list

[aimee rhoden]

01:22 PM on 05/03/2012

Wyatt's honesty and opposition to the pending bill are to be commended. Obviously, the lawmakers have never taught in today's high schools, where bullying is rampant and the discussion of sexuality inevitably is necessary and appropriate. How can we live in a society that denies the existence of the words "gay" and "lesbian," let alone the human beings represented by the words? We must have these discussions. Indeed, it is especially necessary in describing modern families, in discussing politics and legal issues, and, in my opinion, most importantly, in building tolerance and acceptance. I'd hate to see well-meaning, thoughtful, and intelligent teachers be reprimanded for partaking in necessary, respectable teachable moments pertaining to gay and lesbian issues that inevitably arise in the course of building well-rounded, thoughtful, and educated students who understand that the world is filled with many people, some who may not share your lifestyle or beliefs, but as citizens, we must learn how to accept, how to understand, how to work with, and how to respect each other, even when we see someone as different on some level - be it race, religion, economic status, or sexual orientation - than ourselves. Teachers, I believe, have a duty to promulgate respect and understanding of others. This bill, however, essentially says, "When it comes to gay and lesbian issues, there can be no discussion." Without discussion itself, how can there ever be a building of understanding, let alone respect, tolerance, and acceptance?

[Tom Caruso]

12:45 PM on 05/03/2012

Better switch parties Zach before they kick you out!!

[Deseree Salvador]

12:29 PM on 05/03/2012

BRAVE! It's a shame for Missouri that he's not running again.

[observer42]

10:52 AM on 05/03/2012

This man has courage. I'll a bit perplexed as to why he's a republican to begin with, but impressed that he's got the integrity to stand up to the rest of them.

[mdlt]

03:18 PM on 05/03/2012

he could give Mitt a lesson in backbone 101.

[roundersbb]

09:01 AM on 05/03/2012

And once again, who gives a rat's a__!

[Tom Caruso]

12:48 PM on 05/03/2012

The Nobel prize committee called to say that your humanitarian award simultaneously combusted!

[jkevinm80]

09:39 AM on 05/04/2012

Gee, I don't know about simultaneous combustion. Can somebody explain what that is. Is that when you are so narrow minded that your head explodes and you burst into flames at the same time?

[RockyMissouri]

02:35 PM on 05/03/2012

I do...! And so do lots of caring people!

[stevegrmich]

09:00 AM on 05/03/2012

. . . wait a minute . . I thought ALL republicans were christians and lived above and beyond minimal moral standards, so high on a pedestal that libs could not see/touch them . . . guess I misread their facade . . .

[Bertman27]

12:39 PM on 05/03/2012

Why are you assuming that since he is gay he can't be a christian with high moral standards?

[stevegrmich]

03:23 PM on 05/03/2012

. . . I did not say that, but regurgitated the christian conservative litany . . . based on their "values", he can not possibly be an open gay and be republican . . . the GOP would implode . . .

[indothinker]

08:56 AM on 05/03/2012

so what are you supposed to say? "they are happy" or "they are your neighbors"? seriously, wtf is wrong with people?

[wendy82551]

08:50 AM on 05/03/2012

Tell Zachary Wyatt that I am extraordinarily inspired by his courage, and that all of the gay kids in Missouri thank him.

[Michael Folmer]

08:41 AM on 05/03/2012

I think Rep. Steve Cookson might still be in the closet.

[tweeties1120]

08:33 AM on 05/03/2012

Good for him. We obviously can't rely on parents to discuss things like sexuality with their children, so sex education is necessary in schools, as well as anti-bullying education of all types, including discussions about bullying anyone who is gay. But I do dream of a day where no one has to say whether they are gay or straight - where we are all just who we are. When my husband and I were dating, we didn't have to tell anyone we're straight. Bu when my sister started dating her now-wife, she had to tell people she's gay, which was completely unfair. Sexual orientation is just one aspect of someone's life, and should not be the defining aspect. Be who you are and be happy.

[juliet marilynne]

10:55 AM on 05/03/2012

well when the so-called 'christian' so-called 'right' [pun intended] will get behind that philosophy, then everything will be about 10,000x better.

but for sure, you are correct.

[RockyMissouri]

11:45 AM on 05/03/2012

Thank you for being a straight ally.... My entire family is, as well. I used to be a very different person -regarding gay people. Then, (as life seems to show us!) I find out that someone I dearly love as a family member, is gay....... All that mattered, was my friend... He was distraught, over realizing the fact that he had tried to live by societal standards ALL HIS LIFE...even getting counseling ....FINALLY, accepting the fact that he was gay, and was ok with it. None of my prejudices mattered....ALL I SAW WAS MY FRIEND. My hatred was overcome by love...and I am forever humbled....love is a powerful force. Because of my affection for him, I can freely admit I was wrong... Because of my affection for him, I can see that LGBTs are no different than ANYONE ELSE.

[artorius317]

08:29 AM on 05/03/2012

"legislation that would prohibit teaching, extracurricular activities or materials that discuss sexual orientation, unless they relate to the scientific facts about human reproduction."

-------------Since when do repuclicans believe in scientific fact?-------

"Those are personal issues that probably should be taught by people outside the school system,"

------------- Just like your bible is a personal issue and needs to be taught by people outside of the school system. Republicans are the biggest hypocrites on this planet.