“I am gay, I’m a Latino, I’m a state senator and it’s OK,” he said, his voice breaking slightly.
Gallardo said he was not bullied into making his announcement and said his decision to talk publicly about his sexual orientation had nothing to with his political future.
Gallardo, a two-term senator, last week announced he will run for the Democratic nomination for the District 7 seat being vacated by U.S. Rep. Ed Pastor, D-Ariz. He is one of three announced candidates.
The issue of his sexual orientation is much bigger than any of his personal political ambitions, he said.
SB 1062 would have offered a legal defense for individuals and businessesfacing discrimination lawsuits if they could prove they acted upon a “sincerely held religious belief.” Many viewed it as a thinly veiled attempt to legalize discrimination against gays and lesbians.
Gov. Jan Brewer vetoed the bill after days of protests that ranged from civil-rights backers to business leaders to clergy.
