Fla. GOP Rep Backs Gay Marriage Despite Personal Support for 'Traditional' Marriage

Rep. David Jolly (R-FL) announced his support for same-sex marriage on Monday even though he is Christian and believes in "traditional" marriage, the Washington Post reports.

Jolly said he believes it is "fully appropriate" for a state to recognize both gay marriages and opposite-sex marriages. When the Washington Post asked if he backs gay marriage, citing a Florida judge's decision to strike down the state's same-sex marriage ban last week, the Republican said he believes marriage should be between one man and one woman, but added states should not be defining the "sanctity" of marriage.

"As a matter of my Christian faith, I believe in traditional marriage," Jolly told the newspaper. "But as a matter of Constitutional principle I believe in a form of limited government that protects personal liberty. To me, that means that the sanctity of one's marriage should be defined by their faith and by their church, not by their state.

"Accordingly, I believe it is fully appropriate for a state to recognize both traditional marriage as well as same-sex marriage, and therefore I support the recent decision by a Monroe County Circuit Judge," Jolly added.

The Post notes Jolly is the eighth Republican member of Congress to announce his support for same-sex marriage. Others include Sen. Susan Collins (Maine), Sen. Rob Portman (R-Ohio), Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Sen. Mark Kirk (R-Ill.), Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-Fla.), Rep. Richard Hanna (R-N.Y.), and Rep. Charlie Dent (R-Pa.).

Last week Monroe County Circuit Judge Luis Garcia in Florida Keys ruled that the state's ban on same-sex marriage is unconstitutionaland refused Monday to allow same-sex couples to begin marrying in Monroe County, citing a pending appeal by the Florida's attorney general.

This story is part of our special report: "Gay Marriage". Want to read more? Here's the full list.