Capitol Hill briefly took center stage in Wednesday night’s episode of the “Real World: D.C.,” as Rep. Jared Polis (D-Colo.) made a cameo on the reality television mainstay.

[IMGCAP(1)]In a more serious moment on the show (which usually features castmates partying and talking about their innermost feelings), cast member Mike meets with the Colorado Democrat to discuss his work as an intern with the Human Rights Campaign.

Mike, who is bisexual, tells Polis that he relates to him in several ways: Not only is the Congressman is one of the few openly gay Members, he’s also Mike’s own Representative in Congress.

And in his meeting, Mike asks Polis whether he has encountered any animosity from fellow Members for being gay.

“Not really,” Polis replies. “Members of Congress come from very diverse backgrounds, and even Members who go out raging against same-sex marriage and say it’s bringing down western civilization, and there are those people here, I mean they always treat me with dignity and respect, and I treat them with dignity and respect, even though I completely disagree with them.”

Mike says he sees the Congressman as a role model, telling Polis that he’s the person he hopes to be in 10 years.

“It’s great to finally have an idol, especially a lawmaker, that’s openly gay and people take him seriously,” Mike says after the meeting.

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