Zachary Wyatt Zachary Wyatt ( born October 7 , 1984 ) is an American politician from the state of Missouri . A Republican , Wyatt was a one - term member of the Missouri House of Representatives from the 2nd District , encompassing Adair county , Putnam county , and a part of Sullivan county . In May 2012 , Representative Wyatt became , at that time , the nation ' s only openly gay Republican legislator . He " came out " during a press conference in the Missouri Capitol , while opposing the " Don ' t Say Gay " bill . Due to Missouri House redistricting following the 2010 U . S . Census the 2nd district will be divided into two newly numbered districts . Representative Wyatt had originally filed to run for the 3rd district , which includes most of his former 2nd district territory . However in early April 2012 he announced his intention to withdraw once a suitable Republican replacement could be named . Wyatt stated his withdraw was prompted by his acceptance into a marine biology program at the University of Hawaii , and his desire to take full advantage of his veterans education benefits . In the November general election Republican Nate Walker defeated Democrat Rebecca McClanahan , Wyatt ' s opponent in 2010 , to win the 3rd district seat and succeed Wyatt . Personal life . Zachary Wyatt was born October 7 , 1984 in Kirksville , Missouri to parents Randall " Randy " Wyatt and Frances " Fran " Wyatt ( née Quint ) . He has one sibling , older brother Nicholas Wyatt , a U . S . Navy veteran . Raised in rural western Adair county , Wyatt graduated from Adair County R - 1 High School in Novinger , Missouri in 2003 . Following graduation he enlisted in the United States Air Force , serving until March 2010 . While in the USAF , Wyatt earned an Associate of Arts degree in information technology from the Community College of the Air Force , as well as an Associate of Arts degree in Russian language and a Chechen translating certificate from the Defense Language Institute . While in the Air Force Wyatt also served as an airborne Russian / Chechen / Ukrainian linguist on RC - 135 and C - 130 aircraft monitoring communications . Political life . Zachary Wyatt developed an interest in politics as a teen , an interest that was further enhanced when he had the opportunity to serve as a legislative intern for Missouri United States Senator Christopher " Kit " Bond in 2007 . According to Wyatt : " " It was at this time I first realized my call in life was to serve Missouri through politics . " " Despite not having run for or held public office before , Wyatt declared his candidacy for Missouri ' s 2nd District State Representative . In an election upset , Wyatt defeated two - term incumbent Representative Rebecca McClanahan by a margin of 60 . 6 % to 39 . 4 % In addition to the state legislature , Wyatt was also elected president of Novinger Renewal in 2010 . Novinger Renewal is a community betterment group working for the historic preservation and revitalization of Novinger , Missouri . Legislative Assignments . Representative Wyatt serves on the Veterans , International Trade and Job Creation , Special Standing Committee on Renewable Energy , and Agri - Business committees . Wyatt also serves as vice - chair of the Rural Communities Development Committee . Summer 2011 , Representative Wyatt was appointed to the Joint Committee on Urban Agriculture . He also will serve on the Missouri Arts Trust Board . 2011 Legislative Session . Representative Wyatt sponsored 14 pieces of legislation in the session . The bills dealt with economic development , veterans , education , and lower taxes . Three of the bills were signed into law . 2012 Legislative session . Among the bills introduced during the session by Representative Wyatt were legislation to establish renewable energy in Missouri state parks , changes allowing more freedom in living arrangements for the developmentally disabled , and a constitutional amendment altering the state ' s judicial commission . Wyatt vs . Judge Steele . One key piece of legislation was HR 333 sponsored by Representative Wyatt . The resolution called for the impeachment of Missouri Circuit Judge Russel E . Steele , the first such action in Missouri since 1968 . The impeachment is based on allegations of possible judicial misconduct , willful neglect of duties as a jurist , and official corruption . The resolution received bi - partisan support , being co - sponsored by Representatives Andrew Koenig ( R ) , Paul Curtman ( R ) , and Sylvester Taylor ( D ) . In response to HR 333 Steele issued a press release stating " I trust that the media and the people will see this effort for what it truly is , politics at its worst " and that the Missouri Commission on the Retirement , Removal , and Discipline of Judges , as well as an Adair County grand jury , had already investigated the charges in 2006 . The resolution was forwarded to the House Judiciary Committee but no further action was taken . " Don ' t Say Gay " bill . In April and May 2012 Representative Wyatt expressed deep opposition to Missouri House Bill 2051 , commonly known as the " Don ' t Say Gay " bill . The bill would put strict limits on the discussion of sexual orientation in Missouri schools , limiting it only to classes on health and sexual reproduction . The bill gained nationwide attention from various news outlets and " The Colbert Report " . On May 2 , 2012 Wyatt held a press conference at the Missouri State Capitol outlining his opposition . During the course of the event he read a statement announcing that he was gay . The revelation meant that Wyatt is the only currently - serving gay Republican legislator in the United States , something addressed in a May 3 , 2012 interview on the MSNBC program " The Last Word with Lawrence O ' Donnell " . Asked by O ' Donnell why he was a Republican , considering the party ' s stance on LGBT issues Wyatt replied " " I ' m not a one - issue person " " and that he is a firm believer in a balanced budget and small government .