In early 2011, 19-year-old University of Iowa engineering student Zach Wahls of Iowa stunned the nation as he stood in front of state lawmakers to introduce his two lesbian mothers as he argued for marriage equality in his state.
It was one of the most moving speeches this LGBT writer had ever seen. The Advocate called it “the most popular political video of 2011.”
“Not once have I ever been confronted by an individual who realized independently that I was raised by a gay couple,” Wahls confidently told state lawmakers at the time. “And you know why? Because the sexual orientation of my parents has had zero effect on the content of my character.”
“My family really isn't so different from yours,” he shared. “After all, your family doesn't derive its sense of worth from being told by the state, ‘You're married — Congratulations!'”
“No, the sense of family comes from the commitment we make to each other, to work through the hard times so we can enjoy the good ones; it comes from the love that binds us. That's what makes a family.”
Did I mention he was just 19-years-old?
Here's the speech:
What happened next was the very definition of “viral video;” millions and millions of views on YouTube.
In 2012, the handsome Wahls released his book, My Two Moms: Lessons of Love, Strength, and What Makes a Family.
Zach will soon graduate with a master's degree in public policy from Princeton University’s Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs.
And then last night, the 26-year-old won the Democratic primary in Iowa's District 37 in hopes of becoming a state senator. The woofy Wahls garnered a whopping 60% of the vote.
We won.
— Zach Wahls (@ZachWahls) June 6, 2018
“I think it’s a sign people here are hungry for new blood in the Iowa Legislature and are ready for the next generation of leadership,” Wahls told The Gazette. “It means a lot to me the community is trusting me with that leadership role.”
Wahls moves on to the November election to fill the seat held by Democratic Sen. Bob Dvorsky, who announced his retirement after more than 30 years in the Iowa state legislature.
If Wahls wins the seat, he will be one of the youngest people to ever serve in the Iowa state Senate. To learn more about Zach, head to his official website here.
