Readers weigh in on state Sen. Roy Ashburn

State Sen. Roy Ashburn (R-Bakersfield) voted against a bill that would have allowed same-sex marriages in California. The bill was later vetoed by the governor. Ashburn also was among the minority in voting against legislation last year that designated May 22 of each year as Harvey Milk Day.

On Monday, Ashburn told a Bakersfield radio station that he's gay. His statement comes several days after he was arrested on drunk driving charges after allegedly leaving a gay bar in Sacramento.

Yesterday we asked readers: Is it really a big deal? Should it hurt his political career? Did he do the right thing in his radio interview?

Asburn was called a hypocrite in many of the 17 responses, and a few comments were supportive of the senator. Here are some of the responses:

Joseph said: The disgrace is driving while drunk, not in being gay. No one cares about the latter.

AWilliam said: If the senator hid his sexual orientation from the people in order to win the election, he should bear full political responsibility for his decisions--especially if he fought against rights for his homosexual peers while taking full advantage of the friendships and lifestyle that being homosexual brought.

Mindy said: It absolutely is a big deal - not because he's gay, but because he felt compelled to live closeted for so long while he voted with incredible hypocrisy.

Cassie Reader said: Did he do the right thing in coming out? I believe so, better to not keep skeletons in your closet, especially if was was arrested outside a gay bar, it is better not to have rumors going around, instead, man up and say that its true

Want to weigh in? Share your thoughts below. Or read our coverage of the senator and join the conversation there:

Conservative lawmaker comes out of the closet. Is it really a big deal?

PolitiCal: GOP state senator comes out of closet in aftermath of drunk driving arrest

Photo: Roy Ashburn. Credit: California state Senate

 

Comments

[John]

The #1 Killer of Republican Careers?

Survey says?

HYPOCRISY

Now that he has come out of the closet, maybe he can solve his real problem... drinking with intent to kill.

It is a shame that in some circles, being gay trumps vehicular manslaughter.

[edziu]

It is nothing to worry about as far as I'm concerned. That's between him and his Maker. It's little to be concerned about when you look at that crowd in the State Capitol who profess to represent us - they're all hypocrites, greedy and corrupt.
edziu

[Sissy]

Yes it does especially if you live in the district he represents, which I do. The idea that he has repeatedly lied about being gay before makes me wonder more so now "What else has he lied about?". I can care less if he's gay what bothers me is the fact he was in a state vehicle driving DRUNK. He could have killed someone.

[Joe]

Usually, the people that seem to be the most anti-gay or whatever, are the one's that have homosexual tendencies, so suppressed that they act like this unfortunate man. Never, ceases to amaze me. It makes a difference because he is a public figure, and his credibility goes out the window.

[Jim]

@Sissy - The idea that he has repeatedly lied about being gay before makes me wonder more so now "What else has he lied about?"

You have just given the perfect argument to end Don't Ask Don't Tell. Forced to lie, security is compromised for all of our fighting men and women. If they could live in the open, they wouldn't have to lie at every turn to save their job, getting them dishonorably discharged, wasting all of that training, and leaving their squad one person down.