In the end, he came to the conclusion that God created LBGT people just as he did straight people and they did not deserve to be discriminated against.
Capitol Correspondent
LANSING–State Rep. Lorence Wenke (R-Galesburg) says he has been getting the cold shoulder from his caucus.
Why? His vocal support of LBGT issues.
"Well I m convinced our gay family members are greatly abused in our current culture and I am delighted to be able to take some kind of stand," he said.
Several sessions ago, the former Kalamazoo county commissioner voted against the proposed gay marriage ban. As a result, he faced a primary opponent who ran on a "traditional values" platofrm. Wenke says had that opponent not been accused of propositioning a prostitute days before the primary vote, he would no longer be in the legislature.
And his party would like it that way. They have given him the cold shoulder, frozen his bills and simply kept him out of the loop on important legislative matters. He says it's time for the party to open up for moderates.
"The Republican party is way too narrow, and way to far to the right," said Wenke.
So why is a self described pro-life Republican standing with the LBGT community? Wenke said its because of his long time childhood friend. They went to school together, to a three room Christian school, then Kalamazoo Christian High School. They got married soon after each other and remained friends as they had children.
Then one day, his best friend came to him and told him he was gay.
Wenke says he had a struggle with his own faith on the issue. He spent time meeting with pastors, LBGT people, and his friend, trying to wrestle with the Bible and his faith and his love for his friend. In the end, he came to the conclusion that God created LBGT people just as he did straight people and they did not deserve to be discriminated against.
He says the LBGT movement is the civil rights struggle of this decade.
"I stayed quiet during the struggle for equality for African Americans," he said, his voice filled with regret. "I always felt I should have done something. This time I am not going to keep quiet on this one."
The award, provided to him and two other state legislators in Denver, is for uncommon courage.
While Wenke will be leaving office in 18 months, he said he wants to continue working for LBGT equality. He said he has not ruled out a run for the senate seat for Kalamazoo county either.
"They call me the gay rights guy. I am proud of that," Wenke says of his Republican colleagues.
