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| U.S. Rep. Jim Kolbe (R-Ariz.) is retiring after 11 terms in Congress. One of only three openly gay members of Congress, Kolbe says the ‘dialogue has started’ and the gay rights movement will likely make great strides in the coming years. (Photo by Hussein Malla/AP) |
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HOME > NEWS > NATIONAL NEWS
By: JOSHUA LYNSEN COMMENTS
 
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he helped foster economic development in poor countries.
Kolbe said he’s similarly proud of the help he gave his constituents, such as when he secured overdue medals for a World War II veteran’s family.
“I think those things sometimes give the greatest satisfaction in that they have the greatest impact on people’s lives.”
Only 2 open gays left in Congress
But on gay issues, he was recognized as a congressional leader.
Kolbe received a perfect score this year from the Human Rights Campaign, an organization that he said has an “effective voice” and is “well respected” on the Hill.
“Sometimes they focus a bit more on some issues than I think they should. There are broader human rights issues that I think as gay people, I think we should be focused on.”
Kolbe said HRC should, for example, work more strongly toward broadening Social Security survivor benefits to include men and women in same-sex relationships.
David Smith, HRC’s vice president of programs, said the organization is pursuing that and similar goals.
“We think — and have thought for some time now — that that was a good idea,” Smith says. “We’re looking at the various options.”
Kolbe says he nonetheless applauds HRC’s renewed push to pass the Employment Non-Discrimination Act. He feels the bill typifies the federal protections that gays still lack.
“We have a long ways to go, but we’ve come a long ways in the process,” he says. “I don’t think it’s going to end. I don’t think it’s going to go backwards. I think we’re going to continue to progress.”
Kolbe’s colleagues, U.S. Reps. Barney Frank (D-Mass.) and Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), are now the only openly gay members of Congress. But Kolbe says it’s just a matter of time before another gay Republican joins Congress.
“There are other gay people in the party ... I’m certainly not going to be the last.”
Even after the recent page scandal — in which former U.S. Rep. Mark Foley (R-Fla.) sent inappropriate e-mails and IMs to former congressional pages — Kolbe says gay Republicans continue to gain political ground.
Kolbe was chided in a House report released this month for not doing more after a former page reportedly forwarded him Foley’s sexually suggestive message.
In response, Kolbe says only that he was pleased the investigation found “no one committed any violations” of House rules. He declined further comment.
trong>Honorable exit
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