Ashburn takes leave amid questions over his sexual orientation

[True_Blue]

Republican state Sen. Roy Ashburn of Bakersfield has taken leave from his elected position until at least Monday, after his arrest on suspicion of drunken driving here started a firestorm over his sexual orientation.

Ashburn, 55, has served in the Legislature since 1996 and consistently has voted against bills that would expand legal protections for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Californians. The single father of four is among lawmakers with the staunchest records against those issues.

Ashburn was arrested and booked into Sacramento County jail on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol just after 2 a.m. Wednesday and a local television station cited unnamed sources in reporting that Ashburn had spent the evening at Faces, a large gay dance club a few blocks from where police stopped him. Ashburn was driving his state-issued vehicle.

There has been no confirmation of Ashburn being at the club that night, which drew large crowds for a Miss Gay Latina, Sacramento, competition. But, three sources have told The Chronicle that they have seen Ashburn regularly at gay clubs and bars near Faces. Capitol staffers say it is an open secret that Ashburn frequently visits Sacramento's gay establishments.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/03/05/BAF01CBFRT.DTL&type=gaylesbian

[opihimoimoi]

1. Maybe he was just doing some ":Research:" to see the "Other Side of Things"

Give the man the benny of the doubt.....

Jus saying....

[bluestateguy]

2. This is why Outing needs to be done and promoted as much as possible

Any politician who is anti-gay but secretly lives a gay lifestyle (their terminology, OK, not mine) needs to be outed publicly.

[HeresyLives]

3. Yeah, privacy is one thing, but some of these politicians

are doing harm to other gays...drop the code of honor, and out them.

[CanonRay]

4. Serious question: Why don't gays out these assholes?

I mean closet gay rethugs who openly oppose gay rights, and in fact lead the fight against gay rights. If it's an open secret, and he frequents gay nightclubs, why doesn't someone speak up. I'd really like to know.

[snagglepuss]

5. Good question. I'd also like to know why such pricks aren't outed. nt