At Different Points In My

For Me, Living In The Closet Corroded My Ability To Have An Honest, Open Relationship With My God, My Loved Ones, My Constituency And Myself.

When I Came Out Publicly, Some Photo Editors Had A Field Day Searching For Pictures Of Me With A Limp Wrist Or Some Other Stereotypical Gay Signifier - As Though, After Decades In The Public Eye, They'd Suddenly Come Across A Trove Of Shots Where I Looked Like A Cher Impersonator.

Throughout My Life, I Have Grappled With My Own Identity, Who I Am. As A Young Child, I Often Felt Ambivalent About Myself; In Fact, Confused.

We Need To Seek Wise Leaders Who Will Seek Common Ground Among Americans Instead Of Dividing Us Further For Political Gain. As Citizens, We Must Embrace Those Who Embrace Ideas, Thoughtfulness, Civility And Kindness To Others No Matter What Their Political Beliefs.

Of All My False Identities, The Strategies In My Campaign To Be Accepted, Being A Sworn Republican Is The Hardest To Explain. In My Later Political Life, I Can Only Be Described As A Kennedy Democrat, Eager To Pursue Equitable Treatment For The Least Fortunate.