Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) made comments about gays at a private event in New York City that struck a different tone to some observers.
Cruz made the comments at a New York reception in his honor Wednesday evening that was hosted by two prominent gay hoteliers, The New York Times reported Thursday.
{mosads}While there, the Texas lawmaker said that he would support either of his daughters if she came out as a lesbian.
“Ted Cruz said, ‘If one of my daughters was gay, I would love them just as much,” Ian Reisner, one of the two hoteliers hosting Cruz, recalled.
Reisner added that Cruz also said that same-sex marriage was an issue best decided by state governments. Kalman Sporn, an adviser to the 2016 hopeful’s Middle East team, confirmed those remarks to the Times on Thursday.
Wednesday night’s comments would mark a significant change on Cruz’s stance towards gay rights. He has made his opposition to same-sex marriage a major focus of his White House campaign.
“Every one of us is concerned about the Supreme Court decision on gay marriage likely coming in June,” Cruz said on April 1.
“The first and most important thing every one of us can do is pray,” he argued. “Lift up in prayer.”
Cruz additionally recalled his reaction to President Obama’s “evolution” on same-sex marriage during those remarks.
The Texas lawmaker claimed that his Southern Baptist church in Houston spent the morning in prayer over the country’s direction following news Obama had changed his opinion on the issue.
Cruz also called Apple CEO Tim Cook’s announcement he was gay a “personal decision” in remarks made last year.
“Listen, Tim Cook makes his personal decisions, and that is his life,” Cruz said on Oct. 30, 2014.
“My focus is on the constitutional question of who has the authority to make decisions,” he added.