Republican Senator reverses same sex marriage stance after learning his son is gay

US Republican Senator Rob Portman has reversed his stance on same-sex marriage two years after learning that his son is gay.

In an interview with Ohio reporters in his Senate office, Portman said that his son, Will, came out to the senator and his wife in February 2011.

According to the Huffington Post, Portman said that his son, who is now a junior at Yale University, inspired him to reassess his position on same-sex unions.

In 2011, Portman's 'openly hostile' record on gay rights led to hundreds of students at the University of Michigan objecting to the senator speaking at the school's graduation ceremony

Portman spokesman told the Plain Dealer at the time of the protest that the senator believes marriage is a sacred bond between one man and one woman, the report said.