State Senator Roy Ashburn came out to radio host Inga Banks on her show on the KERN station in Bakersfield this morning.

“I am gay. And so, those are the words that have been so difficult for me for so long,” said Ashburn.

Ashburn was charged with a DUI last week after apparently leaving popular Sacramento gay club Faces. The politician has a long history of blocking gay rights bills in California.

From SFGate:

Ashburn did not specifically say that he was at a gay club the night of his arrest, but said, “through my own actions I made my personal life public.”

He defended his voting record, saying he cast votes that his constituents wanted. Ashburn represents the 18th Senate District, which covers a huge swath of the central and southern part of the state.

“I felt my duty, and I still fell this way, is to represent my constituents,” Ashburn said, adding later that “I don’t think it’s something that has affected or will affect how I do my job.”

The senator is expected to be back at the Capitol today when the Senate meets for a 2 p.m. floor session.

“I pray to God that I can find peace and I want to go back to work in the Senate and work hard for the people who sent me to the Legislature,” he said.