The week after state Sen. Mike Brubaker introduced legislation to limit marriage in Pennsylvania to unions of one man and one woman, he spoke to elementary school students about the importance of tolerance and acceptance of differences.
Some might see irony there, but Brubaker doesn't.
The senator said during a 45-minute one-on-one interview Thursday that his leadership on marriage isn't about self-righteousness or demagoguery and has nothing to do with religious ideology.
"I have not cited Bible verses in regard to this issue," he said. "If I were to recite a Bible verse, the only one is God says we should love all people, not just heterosexual people."
He said that at least 20 homosexual couples have had conversations with him about the bill and "they are concluding I am not a bigot.
"I know people who are homosexual, and I have friends who have children who are homosexual, and if you ask them, does Mike Brubaker have this prejudice against this community, if we can call it a community, they would say no," he said.
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Before entering the state Senate in January 2007, Brubaker made his mark as an agribusiness consultant. While campaigning, he promised to be a civil and respectful legislator.
Yet the most significant piece of legislation he's authored isn't about corn or milk but is about one of today's most contentious social issues.
Brubaker's bill has sparked protest rallies by gay and lesbian organizations, including one Sunday that drew 100 people to Unitarian Universalist Church of Lancaster. Four homosexual couples held a marriage ceremony in State College to call attention to the bill; and several gay blogs labeled him "Bigot Brubaker."
"I honestly believe he believes he's doing this for the right reason, but because he's ignorant of what it's like to be a same-sex couple; he's missing the perspective of what it means to be in a loving relationship with someone of the same sex," said Max Phillips, co-director of Rainbow Rose Community, who organized Sunday's rally.
While altering the state Constitution is the kind of act upon which a legislator establishes his legacy, not once has his office published a news release about the proposed amendment, not even when the Senate Judiciary Committee passed it 10-4 in March.
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On Thursday, speaking in a measured voice, Brubaker often shifted his light blue eyes from the conference table to the wall while answering questions. Yet as the interview continued, he grew noticeably passionate, focusing his eyes more on the reporter, his previously folded hands waving in the air to emphasize points, the gold wedding band he's worn for 25 years reflecting the ceiling lights.
"I got in because I believe I need to be a voice of reason," he said about why he's leading the charge instead of leaving it to others. Brubaker said he was recruited to the task by rank-and-file senators, although he would not divulge who did the asking.
Brubaker said he shouldn't be grouped with those who believe homosexual marriage is a threat to traditional marriage, and he's adamant this is not a wedge issue to drive conservative voters to the polls this November.
"My marriage is not threatened," Brubaker said. "My marriage is very secure." Saying same-sex marriage undermines traditional marriage is "not an argument that works for me," he added.
When asked if he has a problem with gays and lesbians marrying, Brubaker only said: "I'm not opposed to the laws that we currently have, which permit two men and two women to co-habit. It is my preference that marriage be one man, one woman. Currently, homosexuals can go through a process that makes them domestic partnerships. I do not oppose that."
He also was quick to point out that homosexuals can marry, just not someone of the same sex. That shows the amendment is not discriminatory, he said. "Everyone can get married, period," he said.
He said the proposed amendment would not rob same-sex couples of hospital visitation rights or the ability to obtain power of attorney.
Brubaker said his role is that of a facilitator of "civil, healthy" debate, bringing partisans on both sides together with moderates to decide the future of marriage in Pennsylvania.
The discussion isn't just about heterosexuals or homosexuals but how others, such as polygamists, define marriage, Brubaker said.
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The proposed amendment faces a long and arduous journey to become law. Both chambers in the Legislature must pass identical language in consecutive two-year sessions, and then it goes to a voter referendum.
Same-sex couples currently cannot marry in Pennsylvania due to a 1996 state statute, but amendment supporters say language in the state Constitution would make the law vulnerable to a court challenge.
A hearing on the bill is scheduled at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday before the Senate Appropriations Committee, chaired by state Sen. Gibson E. Armstrong, who co-sponsored it.
Brubaker said he is confident the Republican-controlled Senate will pass the bill, but it faces resistance in the state House, controlled by Democrats.
E-mail: dpidgeon@lnpnews.com