AZ Lawmaker Comes Out As Gay, Says Anti-Gay Bill Was 'Game-Changer'

[DonViejo]

DYLAN SCOTT – MARCH 5, 2014, 12:46 PM EST

Arizona state Sen. Steve Gallardo, who said last week that he would run for Congress, came out Wednesday as gay -- less than a week after Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer vetoed controversial anti-gay legislation.

"I am gay, I am Latino and I'm a state senator," Gallardo (D) said, according to local media. He said it was the "right time for me to come out" and that the anti-gay bill had been a "game-changer" that prompted his decision.

Gallardo had spoken out against the bill that Brewer vetoed last week.

“I don’t argue that folks have the right to religious freedom,” he said at the time. “I think we all have the right to our religious beliefs, but I do not agree that we have the right to discriminate because of our religious beliefs.”

Gallardo said he will seek the congressional seat vacated by U.S. Rep. Ed Pastor (D), who announced his retirement on Feb. 27.

###

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/steve-gallardo-gay

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/steve-gallardo-gay

[bullwinkle428]

1. Fantastic news! K&R.

[Cha]

2. Good for state senator Steve Gallardo!

mahalo, DonViejo~

[1awake]

3. K&R nt

[Jenoch]

4. I don't see this announcement as good,

it's neither good nor bad. I just hope the seat stays in the hands of a Democrat.

[dbackjon]

6. The district is heavily Democratic. Whomever wins the primary will win the seat

[Zorra]

5. If he was elected, Phoenix would have two LGBT Congresspersons in Washington,

Kyrsten Sinema being the other, assuming she will be re-elected in her district.

There was even some gossip about Kyrsten possibly jumping districts and running for Ed Pastor's vacated seat.

[dbackjon]

7. Kyrsten needs to stay in her district

Which is where I live.

If she jumps, a Republican will likely win the seat.


I have sent her messages saying I will work hard for her re-election in her current district, oppose her if she jumps districts.

[ChazII]

11. I am also in Kyrsten's district

and I heard she staying. Ed Pastor's district wants the seat to go to a Latino Democrat.

From her FB page.

I am flattered that some of my old neighbors and friends asked me to consider running for Congress in District 7. But I love my job representing the people of the 9th district and there is so much more to be done on behalf of the middle class. I am proud of the work I have accomplished but I have only just begun to change the way Congress does business.

I am deeply grateful for the support I’ve received from across Tempe, Chandler, Mesa, Ahwatukee, Scottsdale and Phoenix. My re-election campaign has already started and we look forward to talking about the work we have done and the work we still have to do to ensure that every Arizonan has a shot at the American Dream.

Edited to add FB information.

[alp227]

8. wait how can she jump districts?

isn't that CARPETBAGGING?

[Nanjing to Seoul]

12. If Pat Roberts can be a Kansas senator and not live in Kansas, she can carpetbag

[gopiscrap]

9. Excellent

[blkmusclmachine]

10. The Church DOES NOT have the right to inflict its beliefs upon secular society or non-believers.

[valerief]

13. I think their tax exemptions have been inflicted on us all. nt