Self-loathing hypocrite Republican in Minnesota

[Bleeding heart conservative, HTMLdon]

I'm not understanding why this is a big deal.  Why is it any worse for a gay man to vote against gay marriage than it is for a straight man to vote against gay marriage?  The vote is the same.  If Senator Koering gave his vote to the issue, got put out of office at the next election, and then a straight man was elected in his place - the end result would be the exact same.

Senator Koering had the courage to come out and be open about his sexuality.  Given his political affiliation, and the kind of district he represents, this could not have been easy to do.  It is sad that we live in a world where being the way God made you is shunned, and I am ashamed that some members of my own Party are chiefly responsible for this temporary lapse in moral judgment.

However, Senator Koering's job is to represent the interests of his district.  He wasn't elected as "Senator Koering (R-Gay)", he was elected to represent a constituency that undoubtedly opposes gay marriage by a large margin.   Why should he be forced to ignore the wishes of his constituents just because he is homosexual?  That would only teach the people he represents that Senator Koering could not be trusted to weigh the merits of an issue honestly without regard for his personal life.