Posted on 03/30/2006 10:19:26 AM PST by SmithL
West Sacramento Mayor Christopher Cabaldon has anxiously kept his sexual orientation a secret his entire political career.
He broke his silence on the subject Wednesday night at the annual State of the City dinner at West Sacramento City Hall.
"The pressure and the stigma and sometimes the all too casual bigotry in this town made it painfully clear when I first ran for office that I could either serve this community or I could be a gay man. But I could not be both," Cabaldon said.
His disclosure - planned well in advance - concluded a speech focusing on levees, "walkable" communities and schools. After celebrating the accomplishments of the city and discussing the future, he disclosed that he was gay.
Cabaldon said he decided to disclose he's gay to make it easier for other gays and lesbians wrestling with making their sexual orientation public.
In an interview this week, Cabaldon said when he began his political career, he thought he couldn't disclose the matter. So rather than lead a double life or a secret life, Cabaldon said he decided he couldn't have a personal life.
"Nobody could really out me before because I wasn't dating," said Cabaldon. "I'm still not dating or anything like that."
His heartfelt address Wednesday night brought the crowd of 150 developers, business and political leaders to a standing ovation, some with tears in their eyes.
Developer Bryan Taylor said, "We couldn't be more proud of our mayor."
The 41-year-old mayor's unusual "coming out" will be carried in documentary form on an MTV Networks cable channel featuring gay-themed programming. A crew working for the Logo channel has been shadowing Cabaldon for the better part of a week. The program is expected to air in July.
(Excerpt) Read more at sacbee.com ...
And BTW I'm a **********.
Isn't that precious!
Did someone ask ? Must be a slow newsday in W. Sacto.
To quote an old Onion headline, Area Homosexual Thinks Hes Still In The Closet.
It's a fruit growing region, doncha know?!
I think that might be the kind of grin a fella develops when he's gotten lucky in a San Francisco bath house.
Who has the Beavis & Butthead graphic for West "Sac"? LOL
THUPER
My Gaydar must not be calibrated. How do you tell from a headshot of a guy in a business suit?
Now I can sleep at night knowing what another politician does with his penis.
One of the most heartwarming aspects of the Gay Culture is that the most devastating thing one gay can do to another is reveal their homosexuality, i.e., 'out them'.
Well, he could've done that the first year he was mayor, couldn't he? When West Sac was still largely working-class conservative. But gays have been flooding into that town for years, converting everything into lofts. And now he's got the votes. And he damned well knows it. What a liar.
"coming out" will be carried in documentary form on an MTV Networks cable channel featuring gay-themed programming. A crew working for the Logo channel..."
I gotta pay $5.00 extra for the SPEED channel on Comcast cable but I "get" the LOGO channel as part of my package. Just what a good ol' boy from Indiana wants... quality gay themed programming.
Why can't these people just keep their sins to themselves like the rest of us?
And so what... Did he find Mr Right now? LOL
I'm so proud. thanks for sharing. /sarc not req'd
We hear that gentrification is "bad" for communities but Christie Hynde (of the Pretenders) cited what you state as a "good thing" about homosexuals and their personal wealth (an Austin Chronicle interview from a daily edition in March 2006).
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