The new, gay Roy Ashburn apologizes for past vote against gay Californians
”My practice in my entire political career when it came to gay issues was to prevent any kind of spotlight from being shined my way, because I was in hiding. So casting any kind of vote might, could in some way, lead to my secret being revealed…. That was terrifying to me. It was paralyzing. So I cast some votes that have denied gay people of their basic, equal treatment under the law, and I’m not proud of it. I’m not going to do that again.”
California State Senator Roy Ashburn, a conservative Republican who outed himself earlier this year by drinking and driving after a visit to a gay bar. Just months ago, in March, he seemed quite adamant that it was his duty to the constituents of his conservative district to continue voting against “homosexual” rights. (NBC LA) The Bakersfield Californian reports that Ashburn this week voted against a law dealing with the definition of “civil” marriage and clergy, but asked for his fellow senators to pass a measure asking Congress to repeal Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. (Bakersfield.com)
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