Ashburn says he's gay, defends vote record

[alienlovechild 75]

SACRAMENTO -- Sen. Roy Ashburn, whose personal life became the subject of rumors in the wake of a DUI arrest last week, said today he is gay, but he defended his numerous votes against gay rights bills.

"I am gay... those are the words that have been so difficult for me for so long. But I am gay," the Bakersfield Republican told conservative radio talk show host Inga Barks in an on-air interview.

A Sacramento TV station last week reported that unnamed sources saw Ashburn at a gay bar the night before his arrest last Wednesday on suspicion of DUI. The speculation set off a media frenzy, rekindling rumors that Ashburn lived a closeted life.

Gay-rights advocates seized on the news to point out Ashburn's votes against gay rights legislation and his appearance several years ago at a rally in support of a proposed constitutional amendment to prohibit gay marriage.

Ashburn defended his positions, telling Barks he was representing his district, a mostly conservative area running from Bakersfield to Visalia.

“There’s never been a doubt in my mind on the position of the … vast majority of people in my district ... on these different issues,” he said. “And I voted as I felt I should on behalf of the people who elected me.”

He said he felt he could keep is private and personal life separate, but said "what happened … through my own actions the other night changed all that."

Ashburn has been on personal leave since his arrest, but is expected to return to the Senate today.

"I pray to God that I can find peace and I want to go back to work in the Senate," he said.

http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/03/08/1518...ys-hes-gay.html

[Peikko 1,575]

I agree that he should vote to represent his constituents, but he should also be voted in based on his convictions - whatever those may be.

I am much more worried about the lapse in judgment that allows a senator to drink and drive. He has no excuse for that.

[Nina~ 431]

Ashburn defended his positions, telling Barks he was representing his district, a mostly conservative area running from Bakersfield to Visalia.

“There’s never been a doubt in my mind on the position of the … vast majority of people in my district ... on these different issues,” he said. “And I voted as I felt I should on behalf of the people who elected me.”

http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/03/08/1518...ys-hes-gay.html

I wonder what his constituents think of his cheating on his wife part... oh wait, I am sure that is alright because he didnt really want to marry his gay lover, which will of course destroy the institution of marriage.

[Nagishkaw 510]

I am much more worried about the lapse in judgment that allows a senator to drink and drive. He has no excuse for that.

WORD

[scandal 951]

And in another California story today:

http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_14519745?source=most_viewed

Teen shoots his own testicles

Times-Herald staff report

Posted: 03/05/2010 01:03:52 AM PST

Updated: 03/05/2010 12:54:56 PM PST

A Vallejo teenager allegedly shot himself in the testicles Thursday afternoon, police said.

Police said the 17-year-old, whose name is being withheld because he's a minor, walked into Kaiser Permanente Vallejo Medical Center at about 5:45 p.m. with a gunshot wound.

The gun is still outstanding, police said, and the teen has not been cooperative.

Which all goes to show that in the land of fruit and nuts, today at least we had a fruit, but we blew off the nuts.