Six Great Things That Happened This Week

A Republican stalwart and a whole nation come out for marriage equality, a great band comes out against hate, Stephen Fry and lesbian moms make international news, and activists stick up for their rights down under.

BY Diane Anderson-Minshall

March 15 2013 2:26 PM ET

The U.S. Senate Got its First Republican Supporter of Marriage Equality

Ohio Senator Rob Portman today announced "a change of heart" over marriage equality spurred on because his son is gay. Portman is a high-profile member of his party and was often mentioned as a potential vice presidential pick for Mitt Romney. He's President George W. Bush's former budget director. And he credits former vice president Dick Cheney, an advocate for marriage equality whose daughter is a lesbian, with advising him to "do the right thing, follow your heart," according to the Cleveland Plain Dealer. Portman is pictured above with his son.