A sixth grade student stunned the Rhode Island Senate judiciary committee with a profound speech on same-sex marriage.
Twelve-year-old Matthew Lannon, who says he has two moms and two dads who have been together for 14 years, told the crowd, "My parents, and all the other gay and lesbian people here, just want to be happy."
Describing his parents' commitments as "very, very real," he added, "All they want is to be treated fairly. But unlike most of you, they have to come again here year after year and explain over and over why their love is equal to yours. This year, you have the opportunity to change that. I say, choose love.”
Lannon is the nephew of Rhode Island State Sen. Donna Nesselbush, the Providence Journal points out.
Lannon's speech recalls that of Zach Wahls, the University of Iowa student whose impassioned marriage equality speech became YouTube's most-viewed political clip of 2011 after going viral in the blogosphere twice.
The Journal reports that a hearing on two gay marriage bills lasted an "unprecedented" 12 hours, finally concluding on March 22 at 4:57 a.m.
At present, Rhode Island is the sole New England state not to allow same-sex marriage, although lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) couples have the option of civil unions.
20 Years Of Free Journalism
Your Support Fuels Our Mission
Your Support Fuels Our Mission
For two decades, HuffPost has been fearless, unflinching, and relentless in pursuit of the truth. Support our mission to keep us around for the next 20 — we can't do this without you.
We remain committed to providing you with the unflinching, fact-based journalism everyone deserves.
Thank you again for your support along the way. We’re truly grateful for readers like you! Your initial support helped get us here and bolstered our newsroom, which kept us strong during uncertain times. Now as we continue, we need your help more than ever. We hope you will join us once again.
We remain committed to providing you with the unflinching, fact-based journalism everyone deserves.
Thank you again for your support along the way. We’re truly grateful for readers like you! Your initial support helped get us here and bolstered our newsroom, which kept us strong during uncertain times. Now as we continue, we need your help more than ever. We hope you will join us once again.
Already contributed? Log in to hide these messages.
20 Years Of Free Journalism
For two decades, HuffPost has been fearless, unflinching, and relentless in pursuit of the truth. Support our mission to keep us around for the next 20 — we can't do this without you.
Already contributed? Log in to hide these messages.
WATCH:
