Was John McCain Gay

Senator John McCain, who passed away on Saturday at the age of 81, leaves behind a heritage defined by patriotism, dedication to his nation, and his role as an adversary to President Trump; however, his impact on LGBT issues presents a more complex picture.

Throughout his extensive tenure in Congress, the Arizona Republican adopted markedly different positions regarding LGBT matters; at times, he dismissed them as insignificant, while on other occasions, he championed equal rights for the LGBT community. McCain frequently opposed LGBT rights to conform to his party's agenda and for the sake of political advantage, even though the general trajectory of his stances over time indicated a growing embrace of LGBT individuals.

Masen Davis, the chief executive officer of Freedom for All Americans, conveyed in a formal statement that McCain's increasing acceptance of LGBT rights mirrored the sentiments of a considerable number of Americans.

"John McCain's personal journey toward a more supportive stance on numerous LGBTQ-related issues is a narrative that resonates with a vast number of American citizens," Davis remarked. "His personal transformation is a reflection of the burgeoning recognition that each and every one of us shares common values and similar aspirations, and we all endeavor to construct a more ideal nation."

An early significant test for McCain concerning LGBT matters during his time in the Senate occurred in 1993 when legislators were engaged in discussions about the presence of gay individuals in the military, a debate that arose in response to then-President Clinton's initiative to dismantle the administrative prohibition against their service. As a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, McCain was involved in the deliberations that culminated in the legislative body enacting the statutory ban on military service, which subsequently became widely known as "Don't Ask, Don't Tell."

Three years onward, in 1996, McCain continued his opposition to LGBT rights by casting a vote alongside 84 other senators in favor of the Defense of Marriage Act, a federal statute that effectively prohibited the legal recognition of same-sex unions.

Around this particular period, former Representative Jim Kolbe, a fellow congressman from Arizona and McCain's colleague who was discreet about his sexual orientation at the time, drew the ire of LGBT advocates due to his affirmative vote on DOMA. Activists within the LGBT community, including the then-publishers of the Washington Blade newspaper, threatened to expose Kolbe's sexuality concerning his vote, but Kolbe preemptively revealed his own homosexuality, thus taking control of the narrative.

Notwithstanding the potential professional repercussions of publicly disclosing his sexual orientation during that era, McCain stepped in to support his friend, remarking that Kolbe's public coming out had not "caused much of a ripple" within the state of Arizona.

"I am confident that Jim Kolbe commands the respect and admiration of the majority of Arizonans," McCain stated. "My belief is that if he were to seek re-election, he would encounter minimal obstacles."

McCain's foresight proved accurate. Kolbe was indeed re-elected and subsequently served an additional six terms in Congress before concluding his public service in 2007.

During an interview conducted on Sunday with Kronkite News, a media outlet based in Arizona, Kolbe mentioned that having McCain's backing when he came out as gay held considerable importance.

"Indeed, prior to my even having the opportunity to inform him, he raised his hand and said, 'Jim, do not concern yourself with this; you are my friend, and you will always remain my friend, and this will not alter our relationship in any way,' even before I had uttered a single word," Kolbe recounted. "Consequently, he demonstrated profound loyalty to individuals he held in high regard, and his loyalty to me was certainly unwavering."

Approximately ten years following the vote on DOMA, McCain adopted a stance that aligned with the objectives of the LGBT community in 2004 and 2006 when he departed from his party's consensus and opposed the Federal Marriage Amendment, a legislative proposal championed by President George W. Bush that aimed to amend the U.S. Constitution to preclude the legalization of same-sex matrimony.

During a period when support for LGBT rights was not widely embraced and a majority of the populace disapproved of same-sex unions, McCain's position as one of the few Republicans to reject the Federal Marriage Amendment was notably distinctive.

Although McCain acknowledged on the Senate floor that the amendment's detractors argued it was "purposely divisive, discriminatory, and intended to deny some Americans their right to the pursuit of happiness," the Arizona Republican's explicitly stated justification for opposing the Federal Marriage Amendment was rooted in principles of federalism.

"The legal definition of marriage has historically been determined by individual states, in accordance with the prevailing norms of their respective regions and communities," McCain articulated. "Undoubtedly, this perspective has been predominant for numerous years within my political party, where we adhere to a rather more stringent interpretation of federalism compared to the prevailing perspectives often held by our colleagues in the Democratic Party."

In adherence to this federalist viewpoint, McCain actively and vocally supported a proposed state constitutional amendment in 2006, which was put before voters in Arizona with the aim of prohibiting same-sex marriage, even appearing in a campaign advertisement advocating for its approval.

(It is noteworthy that the Arizona amendment in 2006 marked the inaugural anti-gay marriage amendment to be defeated at the ballot box; however, voters in the state subsequently reversed this outcome by passing a revised version of the amendment in 2008. Ultimately, the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals declared the amendment unconstitutional.)

In contrast to certain other public figures, McCain did not undergo a significant shift in his stance on the matter of same-sex marriage and persisted in his opposition even following the U.S. Supreme Court's landmark ruling in 2015 that established marriage equality nationwide.

In 2008, McCain commenced his campaign for the presidency and secured the nomination to compete against Barack Obama for the nation's highest office. In an effort to resonate with a broad national electorate, McCain reached out to the LGBT community by granting an interview to the Washington Blade, thereby becoming the inaugural (and to this day, sole) Republican presidential nominee to engage in a question-and-answer session with LGBT-focused media outlets.

During this interview, McCain indicated a potential willingness to support the Employment Non-Discrimination Act and expressed openness to a review of the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy. While he reaffirmed his opposition to the Federal Marriage Amendment, McCain suggested that this stance might evolve if the judiciary compelled states to recognize same-sex unions.

Significantly, when prompted to identify a gay role model, McCain selected 9/11 hero Mark Bingham, who played a crucial role in enabling passengers to divert United Airlines Flight 93 from its intended target of the U.S. Capitol building, thereby thwarting the terrorists' plans. McCain delivered the eulogy at Bingham's funeral and spoke with great warmth about him during the interview with the Blade.

"My profound affection for my country drives my pride in serving it," McCain declared. "However, I cannot assert that my love for her surpasses or even equals that of Mark Bingham, or the other courageous individuals aboard United Flight 93 who sacrificed their lives to prevent our adversaries from inflicting even greater harm upon our nation."

McCain received the endorsement of the Log Cabin Republicans during his presidential campaign, a distinction that Trump failed to achieve eight years later, despite being widely regarded in 2016 as the most pro-LGBT Republican candidate in history.

However, any burgeoning acceptance of LGBT rights appeared to diminish during the initial years of the Obama administration when discussions commenced regarding the repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." Facing a challenge from the Tea Party movement for his Senate seat in a Republican primary, posed by radio personality J.D. Hayworth, McCain became the most vocal opponent of ending the prohibition on gay individuals serving in the military and actively resisted any alterations to the existing policy.

In one particular hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee, McCain questioned the validity of a 2010 Pentagon study advocating for the repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" and the implementation of open service policies.

"My concerns persist, as they have in the past, and as evidenced by this particular study, that the closer we approach the deployment of service members in combat situations, the more we encounter apprehension regarding the potential repeal of 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell'," McCain articulated. "These viewpoints ought not to be dismissed lightly, especially considering the substantial combat engagement our armed forces routinely face."

When the Senate, following an extensive, carefully considered procedure and several unsuccessful attempts, ultimately voted to repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" in December 2010, LGBT rights advocates were celebrating, but McCain was not among them. The Arizona Republican characterized the event as a "sad day" during a session on the Senate floor.

As the progress of LGBT rights continued throughout the tenure of the Obama administration, McCain's views were mixed, and he often remained in opposition. When the inclusion of a binational same-sex couple was deliberated as part of immigration reform efforts in 2013, McCain expressed derision towards the initiative and cautioned that utilizing comprehensive immigration reform as a vehicle for advancing "social issues" would inevitably lead to the legislation's downfall.

"I believe this represents a diversionary tactic," McCain asserted. "Then, do we intend to guarantee taxpayer-funded abortions? I am informing you now that if you burden this legislation with contentious social issues and controversial matters, you will jeopardize its success."

Nevertheless, McCain also began exhibiting indications of adopting a more moderate stance on LGBT matters. In 2013, McCain was among the ten Senate Republicans who voted in favor of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act; however, this vote occurred subsequent to public encouragement from his wife, Cindy McCain, who sent a postcard to her husband urging his support. The bill successfully passed the Senate with bipartisan backing but never proceeded to a vote in the House of Representatives, which was controlled by Republicans.

Gregory Angelo, the president of Log Cabin Republicans, referenced his organization's endorsement of McCain in 2008, as well as the Arizona Republican's affirmative vote on ENDA, in a statement that highlighted the "long and favorable history" shared between the two entities.

"His support for ENDA in 2013, which opposed employment discrimination against the LGBT community, will be historically recognized as a landmark vote demonstrating his evolving advocacy for LGBT Americans, following in the significant footsteps of Barry Goldwater, the United States Senator whose seat he inherited," Angelo commented.

Despite his vote in favor of ENDA, McCain, in a seemingly contradictory manner, was a co-sponsor of the First Amendment Defense Act, a federal bill framed around "religious freedom" that was perceived as enabling discrimination against LGBT individuals. This piece of legislation would have undermined existing LGBT protections, including President Obama's 2014 executive order prohibiting anti-LGBT workplace discrimination.

Concurrently, McCain publicly opposed proposed "religious freedom" legislation within Arizona. His vocal opposition was instrumental in igniting a public outcry that ultimately compelled Arizona Governor Jan Brewer to veto the measure.

Following McCain's diagnosis with brain cancer and the conclusion of his life and public service career, the Arizona Republican concluded his public service on a note of support for LGBT rights.

After President Trump announced via Twitter the preceding year his intention to prohibit transgender individuals from serving in the U.S. military "in any capacity," McCain vehemently criticized him. Although McCain's initial objections centered on the method of announcing the policy shift via Twitter, this stance subsequently evolved.

When Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) introduced legislation the previous year aimed at halting Trump's ban on transgender military personnel, McCain became an original co-sponsor and issued a statement endorsing transgender military service.

"When less than one percent of American citizens are volunteering to join the armed forces, we ought to extend a welcome to all who are willing and capable of serving our country," McCain stated. "Any individual in the military who satisfies the medical and readiness criteria should be permitted to serve, including those who are transgender."

Chad Griffin, the president of the Human Rights Campaign, cited McCain's backing of transgender service as evidence of the Arizona Republican's increasing acceptance of LGBT rights toward the conclusion of his life.

"Although we had differing opinions on numerous matters, in the later stages of his career, he emerged as an increasingly outspoken advocate for LGBTQ service members," Griffin observed. "In the past few years, Senator McCain prevented the inclusion of anti-LGBTQ language in the National Defense Authorization Act, opposed a bill that would grant a 'license to discriminate' in Arizona, denounced the Trump-Pence Administration's endeavor to ban transgender troops, and spoke out against the nomination of Mark Green, who held anti-LGBTQ views, to lead the Army. We join with millions of Americans in mourning his passing and extend our most profound sympathies to Senator McCain's wife, Cindy, and his entire family."

This article was originally published in the Washington Blade and is being shared through a collaboration with the National Gay Media Association.