Generally I'd agree, but the guy being quoted here isn't the candidate in question. From what we know in the article he isn't gay himself (though it's certainly possible), nor does it mention anything about people he personally knows being gay. Given only the context of the article, it sounds like he's genuinely just standing up for gay folks despite what his party overwhelmingly preaches. If that's indeed the case I think he deserves credit. And like I said, I hope this leads him toward realizing that his party is a lost cause for genuinely compassionate people and that he should take this opportunity to jump ship.

I completely agree - the party is absolutely wretched on a fundamental level and needs to be voted out of relevance. Like I replied to another comment here, however, it sounds like the guy being quoted here (not the gay Republican candidate) is just some guy speaking out against the hate in his party. From the limited context given in the article, he's not doing it because of anyone in his personal life (though that could turn out to be the case). There's obviously some cognitive dissonance there for him to think he's going to change their minds, but I give him credit for even trying.