Black legislator in Georgia says he’s gay after claims by partner’s ex [video]
Georgia state Rep. Rashad Taylor (D) of Atlanta held a news conference to announce that he is gay. He was prompted to make his public admission after an e-mail was sent to state lawmakers accusing him sexual impropriety. The Atlanta-Journal Constitution reports that no formal complaint has been filed, and that Taylor denies the charge. He attributes the rumor to the “the former partner of the person who I am now seeing” in an attempt to “humiliate and embarass” him. He thanked his family and pastor several times at the news conference.
”[I] come here to tell you and my constituents that I am a gay man. Although this is not the time or the way that I wanted to come out, I feel actually very lucky, thanks to all the support I’ve received from those people who are closest to me…. As a black man, it can be a struggle to find acceptance within the community, and at times, with myself as well. I’m proud of the man my mother has raised, and I make no apologies for who I am.”
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