Another conservative with a record of voting against LGBT rights comes out.

California State Senator Roy Ashburn told a Bakersfield radio station this week that he is gay. But he only made the announcement days after he had been arrested for driving while intoxicated. Ashburn had been at a Sacramento gay nightclub earlier that evening.

Ashburn, according to an LA Times report, voted against the bill to allow same-sex marriage in California. And he voted against legislation that passed last year designating May 22 as Harvey Milk Day.

Ashburn represents the Bakersfield-Kern County region, one of California's more conservative areas. He defended his voting record after he came out, saying it reflects the wishes of his constituents.

We've seen other politicians and conservative religious leaders living double lives. After all, their oppression of the LGBT community is often rewarded with power and money.

But then they get caught in some kind of compromising situation, and their secret life is exposed.

I guess it's a good thing that Ashburn is coming to terms with his sexual orientation, but I don't feel sorry for people like him.

The damage they do to the community is immeasurable. And it isn't only in the form of failed legislation like California's same-sex marriage bill.

Their actions seed feelings of self-hate and isolation in others.

And I can't help think that on some level they know it.