"I'm black. I'm gay."

- Nevada State Senator Kelvin Atkinson -

In an intense debate about marriage equality, Nevada State Senator Kelvin Atkinson came out as gay. "I'm black. I'm gay", he said.

Senator Atkinson announced to fellow senators that he is homosexual during a legislative debate over the proposal to repeal the Nevada's gay marriage ban. "I know this is the first time many of you have heard me say that I am black, gay male", he added.

After the speeches, the Nevada Senate voted in favor of the measure, 12 votes to 9, which would repeal the prohibition on same-sex marriage from the State constitution. 

Now, the State Assembly takes over this proposal. If it finally passes, the State constitutional amendment will have to be voted by all citizens of Nevada.

A new step for equality in U.S.