Brian Sims: The U.S. Will Have a Gay President in 10 Years

"We'll have a gay president in 10 years," PA Rep. Brian Sims tells Tetu, a French gay magazine. The hopeful proclamation comes as same-sex marriage becomes legal in the state of Pennsylvania and news that the White House officially designated June LGBT Pride month.

In the June issue of the publication, the politician opens up about the state of American politics, which he believes is rapidly changing for the better.

On President Barack Obama:

"Barack Obama is probably one of the top 10 pro-LGBT activists in America. No other president has done more than he has. Did he always do it the way we wanted? No, but he's done more than all the other presidents put together. He's changed mentalities, particularly within the African-American community."

On being labeled:

"It doesn't bother me that people label me as the 'gay elected representative of Pennsylvania.' In 50 years, it won't be an issue anymore. Looking at the current trend in the American opinion, we'll have a gay president in 10 years."

On what's next:

"If tomorrow the Senate need a proud, gay, feminist representative, I will go. Today, I'm where I want to to be."

On respect in politics:

"In football, you're taught about the importance of respecting your opponent. In politics, I respect my opponents because they fight for what they believe in. You need to know how to disagree with someone without being rude: It's a cliche' that they keep repeating over and over at school, but this concept has helped me more at the PA General Assembly than anything else I've learned as a lawyer or an activist."

The full interview is available in the June 2014 issue of TETU (n.200).