April 16, 2012
'Parks and Recreations' Star Supports Same-Sex Marriage in PSA
Jason St. Amand READ TIME: 1 MIN.
Nick Offerman, who plays the deadpan favorite, Ron Swanson, on the NBC sitcom "Parks and Recreations," recently filmed a PSA for the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) showing his supporting marriage equality, Mediaite reported.
Offerman discussed the project in an MSNBC interview and said that he and his wife, Megan Mullally, became involved because many of their friends and loved ones "are directly affected." As the acerbic Karen on the long-running "Will & Grace," Mullally became the nation's most famous fag hag (other than Grace, of course).
The program's anchorman, Thomas Roberts, said many Americans are shifting their views on gay marriage but asked the actor what he would say to legislatures that could make marriage equality possible.
"I don't know. I have a hard time not getting emotional about it. My message would probably be a firm slap to the cheek," Offerman said. "But, if I had to be more temperate about it, I'd probably say that it just makes common sense. Those marriages are part of the team. These people just want to be a lovely family," he continued. "And it's not just the marriages that we need to focus on. These people have children and those children are also being denied rights that are being afforded 'normal' marriages."
A May 2011 Gallup Poll showed that 53 percent of people surveyed said they supported marriage equality while 45 percent opposed. The latest poll, which was taken in March by the Public Religion Research Institute, found that 52 percent of Americans backed same-sex marriage and 44 percent opposed the issue.