It is the palpable truth that human beings are greatly concerned with how others view them. Although some have a more severe anxiety about this than others, it is a severe fact for California state Sen. Roy Ashburn, who announced his homosexuality in a radio talk-show interview on March 9.
Harboring an anti-gay sentiment, Sen. Ashburn has consistently voted against gay rights in a multitude of bills. This includes bills acknowledging out-of-state same-sex marriages, as well as declaring May 22 “Harvey Milk Day.” Harvey Milk was the first openly homosexual man to be elected to office in California.
Even after Ashburn, a father of four, revealed the truth about his sexual orientation, he continues to partake in the anti-gay deliberation.
Ashburn explained, “I’ve always believed that I could keep my personal life personal and my public life public” This statement is a fallacy in his case.
Ashburn is so opposed to his own sexual orientation, that he cannot accept himself. He proceeds to live a lie. It is not his personal life that strikes the public as tragic or deceitful, it is the fact that his actions are inconsistent with who he is.
It is truly a shame that one would live a reality and speak against this very reality. To be in “the closet” seems to be the most excruciating pain a person could ever feel.
The phrase “in the closet” is actually more appropriate than most people realize. It expresses shutting oneself in darkness — with baggage and grief — in an enclosed space, hidden from public view. It is denying one’s individual beauty and unique soul.
It is unfortunate that some people are so wrapped up in trying to assimilate into of society, that they heave the truth as far away as possible.
Wayne Besen, the founder of truthwinsout.org, a nonprofit group protecting homosexuals, bisexuals and transgender individuals from anti-gay slander and propaganda, hit the nail on the head when he commented on the Ashburn situation. Besen states, “They’re willing to harm themselves to protect an image of who they’re not.”
Ashburn claims to be protecting the wishes of his constituents to justify his decisions. This strikes me as clearly identifiable cowardice and hypocrisy. How the public could elect such a weak individual into a position of such power is overwhelmingly miserable.
Ashburn declared he would not be running for public office after his term ends this year.
It is disturbing that his embarrassment is so clear. Although I disagree with the mans anti-gay sentiment, my heart goes out to him; he feels such a colossal desire to run from himself.
While Ashburn is caught in his lie, many others living among us are caught in similar lies. It is imperative to embrace every aspect of one’s existence as life rarely gives us second chances.
Rebecca Eisenberg is a sophomore philosophy major and a columnist for the Daily 49er.