As a teen, Zach Wahls spoke out to defend his lesbian moms – now he’s on track to become a state senator

A teen who famously told lawmakers to respect the rights of his same-sex parents is now an adult – and he’s taking on anti-LGBT Republicans directly.

Zach Wahls, who was raised by two lesbian mothers in Iowa, made headlines in 2011 when he spoke to lawmakers in the state to urge them not to pass an anti-gay marriage law.

Aged 19 at the time, Wahls stood before the Iowa House Judiciary Committee and urged Republicans to scrap their plans to push a constitutional amendment banning recognition of same-sex unions.

He spoke movingly about his own experience of being raised by two mothers who were denied the right to marry, and the love that they gave him.

But the GOP in the state continue to oppose equality, and Wahls, now 26, is taking them on directly.

Zach Walls with his family (Zach Wahls for Iowa)

This week, Wahls was selected as the the Democratic candidate to stand for the Iowa state senate in District 37 – putting him on course for election to the chamber.

He received 59.6 percent of the vote in the primary, well above his nearest competitor Janice Weiner who had 34.8 percent.

The seat was previously held unopposed by Democrat Robert Dvorsky, who did not stand for re-election.

Wahls said: “I think it’s a sign people here are hungry for new blood in the Iowa Legislature and are ready for the next generation of leadership.