A daughter of the second-highest-ranking House Democrat announced Wednesday that she is a lesbian in a public effort to build support for gay marriage.

Stefany Hoyer Hemmer, 43, is one of three daughters of House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer, D-Md. She gave an exclusive interview with The Washington Blade, a gay publication, in which she disclosed her sexual orientation.

"This was not his idea at all," Hemmer said of her father. "It was mine completely, but he's very supportive. I talked to him before I did this, and he's on board. Obviously, it's a little nerve-racking for me to do this, but there's something inside of me that's telling me I need to do it."

Hoyer recently announced his support of marriage equality after a similar endorsement by President Obama. Hoyer's embrace of gay marriage prompted his daughter to seek a more activist role on gay rights issues.

"So, I think when my dad actually came out with a statement, it triggered a want in me to further the cause, and I think that he's powerful enough, and I'm, frankly, smart enough to do it. So, yeah, that was really the impetus," she said.

Maryland, Hoyer's home state, legalized gay marriage this year but opponents of the law are working to get a referendum on November's ballot to repeal it.

In a statement, Hoyer told the Blade that he was pleased with his daughter's decision. "As more people speak out, the more momentum this effort gains to give every family the dignity and respect they deserve," he said.

Many other prominent politicians have gay children. Former vice president Dick Cheney has a lesbian daughter, as does former House Democratic leader Dick Gephardt, D-Mo., and Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick. All of their children support gay marriage.