A man from Iowa City who drew national attention for testimony at the statehouse last year spoke for a few minutes tonight at the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte.
“My name is Zach Wahls. I’m a sixth generation Iowa, an Eagle Scout,” he began, “and I was raised by my two moms: Jackie and Terry.”
Delegates in the convention hall cheered. Wahls joked a bit at the beginning of his two-and-a-half minute speech.
“People always want to know what it’s like having lesbian parents, so I’ll let you in on a little secret: I’m awesome at putting the seat down,” Wahls said, to laughter. “Otherwise, we’re like any other family. We eat dinner. We go to church. We have chores. But some people don’t see it that way.”
Wahls said as a kid he felt “confused and frustrated” when he heard politicians who attacked his family unit, then Wahls spoke directly to the Republican party’s presidential nominee.
“Mr. Romney, my family is just as real as yours,” Wahls said.
According to Wahls, President Obama “put his political future on the line” by publicly expressing support of same-sex marriage this spring.
“President Obama is fighting for our families — all our families. He has our backs and ladies and gentlemen, we have his,” Wahls said, concluding his speech with: “Thank you, President Obama.”
Wahls is 21 years old and has taken time off from his engineering studies at the University of Iowa to write a book and make appearances around the country after his videotaped testimony at an Iowa House hearing last year became an internet sensation. It was the top “viral” political video of 2011.
AUDIO of Wahls’ speech at 2012 Democratic National Convention.