Mark Ferrandino, Colorado House Speaker, Shown Kissing Partner In Denver Post Photograph

LOOK: Newspaper Defends Running Lawmaker's Gay Kiss On Front Page

A photograph of Colorado House Speaker Mark Ferrandino is the subject of local debate.

The shot, which appeared in The Denver Post, shows Ferrandino, who is openly gay, kissing his partner Greg Wertsch. Also visible on Ferrandino's desk is a bottle of formula which that belongs to the couple's foster child, according to the report.

The Post is now polling readers over its decision to run the photograph, which was taken by photographer Craig Walker, in a blog post by Linday Shapley.

Meanwhile, the Post's Photo Editor Ken Lyons defended his publication's decision, saying Ferrandino's "inclusion feels like the ending to this story, and it would have been remiss to not have him as part of the report.”

View the full photo below, then scroll down to keep reading:
mark ferrandino gay kiss

Ferrandino has been one of the most ardent supporters of his state's civil unions legislation for same-sex couples, which passed the Colorado House 39-26 on March 12.

"This wasn't a choice. This is who I am. This is who we are," he told the Denver Post. "We need to make laws in our society that respect everyone equally."

Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper is expected to sign the bill into law, according to reports.

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