Ashburn on DUI, Gay Politics

California state senator Roy Ashburn chronicles his arrest and coming-out, while apologizing for his antigay voting record.

Ashburn was arrested in March and charged with driving under the influence after leaving a gay club. At the time he was closeted, but the Republican has since come out and has pledged not to vote against the interest of gay rights.

"It’s time for fair-minded Republicans to speak up for what our party really stands for — individual freedom and limited government," he wrote on Gay Politics. "If we truly believe the greatness of America is founded on the individual achievements of ordinary citizens acting with the maximum amount of personal liberty, then there should be no debate over where Republicans stand on the rights of LGBT Americans."