"Ashburn has voted against a number of gay rights measures, including efforts to expand anti-discrimination laws and recognize out-of-state gay marriages. Last year, he opposed a bill to establish a day of recognition to honor slain gay rights activist Harvey Milk. ... Ashburn said his votes reflected the way constituents in his district wanted him to vote, not necessarily his own views. "I felt my duty – and I still feel this way – is to represent my constituents, not my own point of view, not my own internal conflict," he told Barks. Ashburn said he planned to continue voting on behalf of what he sees as the majority viewpoint in his district, which includes parts of Kern, Tulare and San Bernardino counties. Former state Sen. Sheila Kuehl, an openly gay Democrat who was visiting the Capitol Monday, said she hopes Ashburn receives support, not condemnation, from his friends, family and constituents. "It's very painful," she said of the coming-out process. "And mostly it's painful because you think everyone will be against you." In the radio interview, Ashburn said he is drawing on his Christian faith, and he asked people to pray for him." - Paul Buchheit from Bookmarklet

Is anybody surprised? - Paola Bonomo

I am. I expected him to deny it and claim he was just doing "research" or something. Most of these anti-gay people never seem to admit it even when they are caught in a restroom or something. - Paul Buchheit

Is there anything wrong with an elected official representing his constituents even if it's against his own interests? - Gabe

@Gabe, depends what you mean by "wrong". If he was black and his constituents were racists who wanted to deny the rights of black people, I think you have to admit it would be at least very sad, if not wrong. Same situation here, imho - I feel sorry for him. - Bill Moorier

like Senator Kelly in X-men (: - mcd

Again? At this rate there won't be any young, straight Republicans left by next year. - Mr. Gunn

I don't get the criticism here. Gabe, I'm with you - if he felt he was voting for his constituents (how many elected officials actually do?), then he absolutely did the right thing, both with his vote and in coming out. I put him in the column of those who has raised his credibility, Republicant or not. Bill, there's a big difference. Denying the rights of black people is against the law. Sadly, denying the rights of gays is not. - JCunwired

Nobody would care much if he was a rich guy who voted to raise taxes on rich people, would they? What if he voted to raise taxes on poor people and then it turned out he was poor? Isn't that sort of the same thing? - Gabe

Lyndon Johnson voted his constituency (Southern Democrat) anti-civil rights for much of his career. He about-faced and was the driving force behind the initiatives during the Kennedy administration. As a politician, he did what he needed to to support those that elected him and only changed his stance once he know he had the political equity to impose his will. Had he voted his conscience earlier on, he never would have been in a position of strength later on. - Rick Bucich

Great, coherence is a must! - Altriabusi