Real life makes it harder to discount the wants and needs of those who are different or caricature them.

Senator Rob Portman reveals he has a gay son, now supports same-sex marriage

From the piece:

Ohio Senator Rob Portman, previously known as the perpetual bridesmaid of the GOP vice presidential race and a spot-on Obama impersonator, has made a new name for himself as the only current Republican member of the Senate to endorse gay marriage. Portman made the revelation to CNN and several Ohio newspapers on Thursday, saying he began to reconsider the issue two years ago when his son Will, now a 21-year-old Yale junior, announced that he's gay.

"It allowed me to think of this issue from a new perspective," said Portman. "That's of a Dad who loves his son a lot and wants him to have the same opportunities that his brother and sister would have — to have a relationship like Jane and I have had for over 26 years."

http://thesunnews.typepad.com/a_different_world/2013/02/police-officials-republicans-clash-on-assault-weapon-ban.html