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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JOSHUA LYNSEN
Friday, December 22, 2006
By his own admission, retiring U.S. Rep. Jim Kolbe is an unusual Republican.
A congressman from southeastern Arizona, Kolbe favored abortion rights, backed stem cell research and even tried to kill the coin bearing President Lincoln’s mug because the penny costs more to produce than it’s worth.
But it was his status as an openly gay Republican that made Kolbe truly unique among his congressional peers. After he came out in 1996, Kolbe bucked many in his party to become a strong supporter of gay rights initiatives.
“My strongest contributions were simply standing up and talking about these issues on the floor, in caucuses and when it came up for debate,” he says. “There’s something to be said for speaking up for equality.”
Preparing to retire from Congress, Kolbe talked exclusively with the Blade about how coming out changed his life, his politics and his perspective of Capitol Hill.
Kolbe also discussed the heartwarming duties he’ll miss — and the infuriating debates he’s happy to leave behind.
He says this year’s debate over the proposed marriage protection amendment, an effort to ban gay marriage, was a prime example.
“It was an absolute waste of the American taxpayers’ time and a waste of Congress’ time,” he said. “It was a diversion, done solely to build support in the so-called base of the party — the religious right.”
Kolbe says such bedroom politics violate his political beliefs.
“I believe that government should not intrude in people’s lives any more than absolutely necessary. I’m puzzled when people tell me they also think that — except when it comes to the bedroom. I think government should stay out of both sides as much as possible.”
Conservative Republicans won’t miss Kolbe’s libertarian arguments.
Bob Haran, a conservative political activist in Phoenix, says some Republicans might burst into song when Kolbe leaves Congress.
“Jim Kolbe is the only openly homosexual Republican in Congress,” he wrote in a column. “Kolbe is not only pro-abortion, he is one of the few Republicans to vote against the partial birth abortion ban. He will be surely missed by the gay community and Planned Parenthood.”
Kolbe admits his views weren’t always popular within the GOP, but says his dissent encouraged the party to grow and recognize gay issues.
“There is better understanding and discussion than ever before. That’s the critical thing.”
Changing attitudes
Kolbe, 67, says attitudes toward gay issues on Capitol Hill also have changed since he took office in 1985.
Then, he says, the employment discrimination and hate crimes that affected gays were “simply swept under the rug” and not discussed.
“You couldn’t get people to talk about or articulate their positions on these issues 20 years ago. Today they will do that. The biggest difference is these issues are out. These issues are out of the closet.”
Kolbe came out of the closet himself in August 1996. In the aftermath of his Defense of Marriage Act vote — he supported defining marriage as between one man and one woman because it allowed states to make their own decision — Kolbe feared he would be outed in the press.
In a hastily orchestrated maneuver, Kolbe informed family, friends and the media that he’s gay.
He says the revelation didn’t alter things for him professionally.
“It really didn’t change very much. I can’t say I ever detected a real change in how people treated me after versus before.”
But on a personal level, the public disclosure granted immense relief.
“It was the most gratifying thing that’s ever happened to me. It was a huge burden that was lifted from me.”
Kolbe says his coming out also empowered other people who wrestled with their public identity.
“I’ve had a lot of young people write me and say, ‘You’re a great role model, and you’ve made it easier for me to come out to my parents and my family.’ There have been a lot of gratifying moments.”
Kolbe says his only regret about coming out was not being able to do it at his own pace.
“I still, to this day, believe that it is inappropriate for the news media to out somebody. I think it’s wrong for organizations to take that upon themselves.”
Although he’s often defined by it, Kolbe said he refuses to be limited by his sexual orientation.
“Being gay is part of who I am, but not all of who I am.”
Kolbe said some of his greatest accomplishments and most rewarding moments in Congress had nothing to do with his sexual orientation.
A trade expert, Kolbe is proud of his work to pass the North American Free Trade Agreement. And in working with foreign aid policy, 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.
Honorable exit
Log Cabin Republicans President Patrick Sammon says Kolbe served with “honor and distinction” during his 11 terms.
“Congressman Kolbe has shown Arizona and America that gays and lesbians can contribute to the Republican Party,” Sammon says. “He’s been an articulate and principled conservative voice for gay and lesbian equality.”
After he retires from Congress next month, Kolbe will focus on trade and economic issues, and teach a course at the University of Arizona.
He’ll also take “any opportunity” to speak about gay issues.
“I’m really not one for great prognostications and predictions, but I think within 10 years, either civil unions or basic protections for gay couples will be widespread in almost all states. The dialogue has started, and I think there’s enough momentum to keep the dialogue going.”
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