An openly gay high school student confronted Tim Pawlenty about his lack of support for marriage equality at the Iowa State Fair.  Predictably, Pawlenty punted, called it a “respectful disagreement,” and tried to run away from the question. This is pretty stunning, actually, and shows just how little wingnut Republicans think of their fellow human beings.  The transcript, and then the video, via Think Progress:

Q: I thought our country was about life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness for everyone, no exceptions. So Tim Pawlenty, I want to know know — when will you stand up for me…because you are discriminating against me and it hurts, it really does.

PAWLENTY: I understand we have a difference of opinion on this issue…the relationship between a man and a woman in a traditional marriage is important to our country, our society, our culture…

Q: I support that you have your moral values, but that is something that is hurting my future and how I get to live my life…why does government get involved in our marriages? … Do you think I’m a second class citizen?

PAWLENTY: We’re just going to have a respectful disagreement, sir.

The wingnut definition of “respectful disagreement,” by the way, is “yes, I view you as lesser, because you’re not a white, straight Christian man. I am a supremacist, and that’s just how it is.”

Don’t you like it how the other lemmings start barking in the audience, trying to drown the kid out? Lovely people.