Was a conservative California legislator cruising gay bars?

[Elmore Furth]

Another socially conservative, anti-gay Republican who turns out to be gay.

SACRAMENTO _ A prominent California Republican state senator who was arrested on suspicion of drunken driving in his state-issued car in Sacramento has taken a personal leave through Sunday from the upper house of the state Legislature.

State Sen. Roy Ashburn of Bakersfield, a 14-year veteran of the Legislature, was arrested at about 2 a.m. Wednesday near the state Capitol.

A Sacramento TV station reported that unnamed sources saw Ashburn at a gay bar the night before the arrest, setting off a media frenzy that stretched from the blogosphere to late-night television talk shows.

West Sacramento Mayor Christopher Cabaldon, an openly gay Democrat, told The Sacramento Bee and other media he had spotted Ashburn at other gay bars in Sacramento in recent months.

In the interview, Ashburn said he didn't believe he had been a staunch anti-gay activist, insisting that the way he'd voted on social issues reflected his constituents' views.

Was a conservative California legislator cruising gay bars?

[Happy Hippy]

1. ....well

I don't see how his sexuality is anyone's business - Republican or Democrat. If so, should we villainize him for being gay? Is his being gay a crime? Is being gay a scandal? This article seems eerily like hate. It should be his choice, if and when he decides to come out. It's 2010 and the M$M still treats being gay like a scandal.

[KingFlorez]

2. His record on the LGBT issues is terrible

He even led an anti-gay marriage rally. It certainly is everyone's business when a politician is a hypocrite.

[Happy Hippy]

4. He represents his constituents

He has to (in theory) to vote their will. I just don't like the use of the word "cruising" in the OPs title. Yeah, b/c all gays "cruise" gay bars. Barf.

[KingFlorez]

8. It's dishonest

And holding an anti-gay marriage rally is hardly voting their will, that was something he wanted to do.

[demosincebirth]

5. I don't care if he's gay or not, but the fact that he is a hypocrite doesn't incite

something in you?

[Happy Hippy]

9. No.

Because I feel like we are the ones being hypocrites.

Being gay should NOT be newsworthy in 2010. Who cares? He's likely gay. I just don't like to see homosexuality ever become a scandal. The DUI is scandal enough. This type of thing helps reinforce society's thinking in that "being gay is a scandal".

[dsc]

11. No saying one thing while doing another is the scandal

It would be perfectly legal for Sarah Brady to own a handgun but given her public position on that issue it would be exceptionally hypocritical and scandalous of her to do so.

[Canuckistanian]

6. When he's actively doing harm to gay causes, it's relevant

If he confined himself to anti-tax, anti-immigrant and pro-gun rants, then yes. His sexual preferences wouldn't be an issue.

But that's not the case here. He was a rabid, outwardly homophobic politician - and he incited others to homophobia.

[dsc]

10. what if we found out that Diane Feinstein owned several semi automatic guns?

would that be none of our business? What if we found out that Bart Stupak paid for an abortion for his daughter, would that be none of our business? I fail to see the difference between the OP and what I am asking.

[Happy Hippy]

12. Here's my theory:

This sort of thing influences the general public in subconsciously associating being gay with scandal. Does that make sense? Just because he has advocated hate, doesn't mean we should exploit his homosexuality for our political gains. I understand how the hypocrisy is the issue, but by reading the article and the OPs chosen title, it sounds like scandal made out of homosexuality alone.

on edit: I just feel that this sort of scandal, and the fuss made over it hurts everyday gays in the long run.

[dsc]

13. I am certainly unenamoured with having gayness associated with scandal

but his total hypocrisy is a scandal and the fact it makes us unhappy to associate being gay with this scandal shouldn't give this man a pass.

[Happy Hippy]

14. Hell no he shouldn't get a pass.

He should be publicly shamed for the DUI!

[dsc]

15. well there is that

but I think he should also be shamed for being a liar.

[Happy Hippy]

16. so every politican should be honest about his or her sexuality?

I can imagine that would be hard to do as a Republican. No sympathy here, just saying. It's just my opinion that politicians simply play their role according to who is paying for them.

[dsc]

18. No they simply have to refrain from having anti gay records

then they can be as closeted as they want.

[Bobbieo]

3. Hey Senator - Watch out for those crazy, anti-gay, fundie Russians

who have taken over Sacramento. Something like 300,000 have emigrated to the area from Russia and they are out for blood.

[Dappleganger]

7. If he's cruising bars in a state vehicle

that's no good. If he's a hypocrite he should be called on it. Why are these repukes in such denial??

[TheCowsCameHome]

17. Probably just an under-the-covers research mission.

Repukes are genuinely concerned about these things.