CA anti-gay senator was gay all along

It might have been a story of a black politician being against equal rights for people of any race, or an atheist against equal rights for those without a creed, or a woman being against equal rights for women (actually, that did, inexplicably, happen - Phyllis Schlafly being a remarkable case in point).

But it's a conservative republican senator who has just come out as gay:

"I am gay," Ashburn answered. "Those are the words that have been so difficult for me for so long. But I am gay. But it is something that is personal and . . . I felt with my heart that being gay didn't affect -- wouldn't affect -- how I did my job.

Damn right it's personal. That's what your opponents on this issue have been saying all along!

Normally I, too, would say that being gay doesn't affect how anyone do their job, but in this case it seems a little weird, being an anti-gay politician and all.

In 2005, Ashburn, like all but one other Republican in the Senate, voted against a bill that would have allowed same-sex marriage in California. The bill was later vetoed by the governor.

Ashburn also voted no, along with most of his GOP colleagues, on legislation passed last year that designated May 22 of each year as Harvey Milk Day, in honor of the slain gay-rights leader.

So why did he do it? Why would he build a political career on being against himself in that way?

Ashburn said his votes "reflect the wishes of the people in my district."

How unselfish of him, just taking care of his constituents' wishes to deny people like himself the same rights they have.

What I wonder is what went through the minds of the people he met in that gay club. Pity? Compassion? Or just gleefully waiting for the whole thing to blow up?