From the Advocate:
Calif. Senator Ashburn Comes Out
“http://www.advocate.com/News/Daily_News/2010/03/08/Roy_Ashburn_Admits_He_is_Gay/
“The California state senator who was arrested for driving while intoxicated after a night at a gay bar announced Monday that he is gay.

Roy Ashburn, who has had a decidedly antigay voting record, made the announcement on KERN radio. Ashburn, a Republican from Bakersfield, said his votes were a reflection of his conservative district.

(snip)

Ashburn had voted against bills on such issues as the statewide Harvey Milk Day and gay marriage, and had even hosted an anti-gay marriage rally.”

From Gay Politics:
Conservative California state senator comes out
California State Sen. Roy Ashburn, a conservative Republican with a solidly anti-gay voting record, came out as gay today on a Bakersfield radio station talk show. Ashburn’s sexual orientation had been the talk of Sacramento since the legislator was arrested for drunk driving after leaving a gay bar in the state capital last week.

(snip)

Radio talk show host Inga Barks wanted assurances that Ashburn would continue to vote in a conservative manner on LGBT rights issues. Ashburn responded, “I believe firmly that my responsibility is to my constituents. I will take a careful look at each measure and apply that standard. How would they vote on this? How would they want me to vote on this,” adding that most people understood what that means.

“I don’t know how else to ask this, but are you going to live this lifestyle now in the district?” Barks asked. Ashburn, who announced he is not running for public office again, said, “I pray to God I can find peace. I want to go back to the senate and work hard for the people of my district…Now you know everything about me.””

—

That didn’t take long. I first blogged about Ashburn here. I expected him to deny it.

How about his cop out though? Would an Evangelical Christian politician vote for what his constituents wanted if they were all atheists? Ok, they probably wouldn’t have voted for him but still I think Ashburn is copping out here. And his little pray for me comment seems to indicate he’s only half way out of the closet.

Posted by Vixen in News