Senator Mark Kirk is now the second Republican senator in the nation to back same-sex marriage after a Tuesday statement posted on his website.
“When I climbed the Capitol steps in January, I promised myself that I would return to the Senate with an open mind and greater respect for others. Same-sex couples should have the right to civil marriage. Our time on this Earth is limited, I know that better than most. Life comes down to who you love and who loves you back-- government has no place in the middle.”
Human Rights Campaign President Chad Griffin applauded the decision.
“Senator Kirk ... (has) shown tremendous leadership in announcing (his) support for marriage equality," he said. "Democrat or Republican, there can simply be no excuse for standing on the wrong side of history when it comes to this basic question of justice.”
Kirk now stands beside Sen. Rob Portman of Ohio who announced his support of marriage equality last month. He is the 50th senator to back same-sex marriage, according to the Huffington Post.