Roy Ashburn: Biggest anti-gay 'hypocrite' ever?
California state Sen. Roy Ashburn, a divorced father of four, says he's gay, but defends his votes against gay rights
In a revelation that provoked cries of hypocrisy, a divorced Republican lawmaker who voted against same-sex marriage in California acknowledged Monday that he is gay. State Sen. Roy Ashburn came out of the closet three days after he was arrested on suspicion of drunk driving as he left a gay nightclub. Ashburn defended his opposition to gay-rights legislation, however, saying it was his "duty" to vote in accordance with his constituents' beliefs. Was he being a hypocrite, or just doing his job? (Listen to Roy Ashburn's confession)
Ashburn's confession can't erase his record of hypocrisy: So, now we know why Roy Ashburn "voted against his own people" for so long, say the editors of Queerty. His constituents made him do it. Sorry, Roy, but "voting for discrimination (or against its removal) is never okay, no matter what you think voters believe."
"Calif. Sen. Roy Ashburn: "I'm gay" -- and stand by my anti-gay votes"
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
There's nothing hypocritical about the way Ashburn voted: Here's a news flash for the angry left, says Suzanne Venker in Right Pundits. It's possible to be gay and still oppose the liberal gay agenda. "Not all gay people want to be married, and not all gay people think gay marriage should be legal."
"Roy Ashburn, anti gay-rights Calif. state senator, is gay: Does it matter?"
No matter how Ashburn votes, it's good he came out: It will be interesting to see whether Roy Ashburn votes differently now that his secret is out, says Kathy Erich Dowd in Tonic. "But in the meantime, we do applaud the senator for coming out of the closet, even if needed a push to do it."
"California state Sen. Roy Ashburn comes out of the closet"
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
The Beast in Me: a ‘gleefully horrible story’The Week Recommends Claire Danes and Matthew Rhys star in a ‘gleefully horrible story’
-
Comey grand jury never saw final indictmentSpeed Read This ‘drove home just how slapdash’ the case is, said The New York Times
-
Political cartoons for November 20Cartoons Thursday’s political cartoons include impending Epstein Files release, Marjorie Taylor Greene embraced by Dems, Saudi Arabia's human rights record, and more
-
Has Zohran Mamdani shown the Democrats how to win again?Today’s Big Question New York City mayoral election touted as victory for left-wing populists but moderate centrist wins elsewhere present more complex path for Democratic Party
-
Millions turn out for anti-Trump ‘No Kings’ ralliesSpeed Read An estimated 7 million people participated, 2 million more than at the first ‘No Kings’ protest in June
-
Ghislaine Maxwell: angling for a Trump pardonTalking Point Convicted sex trafficker's testimony could shed new light on president's links to Jeffrey Epstein
-
The last words and final moments of 40 presidentsThe Explainer Some are eloquent quotes worthy of the holders of the highest office in the nation, and others... aren't
-
The JFK files: the truth at last?In The Spotlight More than 64,000 previously classified documents relating the 1963 assassination of John F. Kennedy have been released by the Trump administration
-
'Seriously, not literally': how should the world take Donald Trump?Today's big question White House rhetoric and reality look likely to become increasingly blurred
-
Will Trump's 'madman' strategy pay off?Today's Big Question Incoming US president likes to seem unpredictable but, this time round, world leaders could be wise to his playbook
-
Democrats vs. Republicans: who are US billionaires backing?The Explainer Younger tech titans join 'boys' club throwing money and support' behind President Trump, while older plutocrats quietly rebuke new administration