Family feud.

The gay stepson of Massachusetts governor Jane Swift comes out to publicly criticize his stepmother's opposition to gay marriage

When acting Massachusetts governor Jane Swift restated her opposition to same-sex marriage in August, she had no idea what a political can of worms she would open. Her 25-year-old gay stepson, Brian Hunt, came out publicly in The Boston Globe and called his stepmother's position "hypocritical. "Although Swift, a moderate Republican, said Hunt's statements did not change her position on the issue, the day his interview appeared she extended some domestic-partner benefits to the same-sex partners of state employees. Soon after his Globe interview, Hunt, who lives just outside Los Angeles, spoke with The Advocate about his family's plunge into the debate over same-sex marriage.

What prompted you to go public now instead of when your stepmother initially opposed gay marriage months ago?

In mid August I was [in Massachusetts] for a friend's wedding. That's when I first heard about Jane speaking publicly against gay marriage. I felt that what she did was very bogus, especially since she has a family member who is gay. I thought it was about time people knew about me.

Did your dad or stepmother know what you were going to do?

No. I didn't tell either of them. Neither has said anything to me since the story broke.

Do you find it hypocritical for Swift to speak of the sanctity of marriage in the course of opposing gay marriage after marrying your father, who has had three previous wives?

I do. I just want to tell her to listen to herself and her rhetoric. It doesn't make sense whatsoever for her to take this stand. People fall in love every day, coming from all different backgrounds, and they all have a right to be married.

What was your relationship with your dad and stepmother like before this?

My dad is a chameleon. He changes with every woman he is with. With one of his wives he got very involved in religion. With Jane he developed a very intense interest in politics. I came out about seven years ago when I was in high school, and I told my dad and Jane. Jane left the room, saying that it was a discussion between my dad and me. She's a nice lady, just very political. She never wanted to know about my life, my boyfriends, or my happiness. My sexuality has been pretty much swept under the rug.

Tell us a little about yourself.

Right now I work at a Starbucks in the San Fernando Valley, outside of Los Angeles. I go to school, and I do some filmmaking on the side. I have a boyfriend who is [also an] artist, and he works at a local music store. I've done my share of dating, and I know he's the one. We are a great couple, and I definitely want to marry him someday.

Any chance you might run for a political office yourself someday?

I think I need a little more schooling before I consider it. I do get very involved in activism, though. I spent a lot of time advocating against [California state senator] Pete Knight and Proposition 22 [Knight's anti-gay marriage measure, which was passed by California voters last year]. I could never be a Republican as a gay man, though. I know Jane has a gay Republican aide, and I wouldn't be able to do what he does.

Do you think your stepmother stands a chance in 2002, or is she history?

Jane is a very strong person with a lot of ambition. She'll do what she wants and will probably succeed. I think she will nm in 2002 and work very hard to win.