DALLAS — In an effort to defuse a whisper campaign about his sexual orientation, a member of the Texas State Board of Education has acknowledged in an email to media organizations that he is gay.
George Clayton
George Clayton (R-Richardson), who took office in January after defeating a longtime incumbent and now faces re-election next year as a result of recent re-drawing of boundaries for the board’s 15 positions, said that political rivals — members of the Golden Corridor Republican Women’s Club — had circulated emails questioning his sexuality and living arrangements, reported the Dallas Morning News.
“To avoid the tyranny of misinformation and innuendo in this political race, I wish to say that I, in fact, do have a male partner who lives with me in my home in Richardson, Texas,” Clayton wrote in an email sent to media organizations.
He blamed Geraldine “Tincy” Miller of Dallas, whom Clayton unseated last year and who is expected to run again for the seat, for raising the issue. Miller has denied any involvement.
“I hope this frank announcement satisfies Tincy Miller and the ladies associated with the Golden Corridor organization,” Clayton wrote. “All of us can now move on with discussions concerning education instead of being overly preoccupied with my personal life.”
According to the Texas Freedom Network, Clayton’s announcement was prompted by a recent email from Susan Fletcher, president of the Golden Corridor organization, in which she suggested to members that Clayton’s personal life “needs to be investigated.”
“What are his living arrangements in Richardson? With whom does he live? It’s not appropriate to comment further — but this needs to be investigated,” she wrote.
Clayton becomes the first known openly gay Republican elected official in Texas history.
Filed under: Texas
Florida teen fighting criminal charges related to same-sex relationship
Wash. florist who refused flowers for gay couple’s wedding files suit against state
Anti-gay marriage activist commits suicide on alter at Notre Dame cathedral
Texas judge enforces ‘morality clause’ to split up lesbian couple
Catholic school: Transgender student must wear girl’s graduation gown
Another Ore. bakery refuses to provide wedding cake for same-sex couple
Sex and the teenage girl: The Kaitlyn Hunt tragedy
UPDATED: Police call fatal New York City shooting an anti-gay hate crime
Iowa anti-gay activist explains his opposition to gay marriage: ‘It’s awful’
Details emerge in case against teen accused of lewd behavior with girlfriend
Scottish cardinal to atone for sexual misconduct with younger clergy
BREAKING: French president signs marriage equality bill into law
Everything is bigger in Texas – even the homophobia
Obama delivers LGBT-inclusive commencement address at all-male college
Pa. school still refuses to announce transgender grad by his chosen name
why does it “need to be investigated”? If the lady had a life of her own, she wouldn’t care so much about his.
Come out, come out wherever you are! Hail and well-met fellow Texan!
oh my god he’s gay, better get the pitch forks and torches! get over it people; why must there be an investigation?
perhaps they’re interested in setting him up with a nice man?why else ”investigate”?
Very weird, an investigation?
Exactly why does there need to be an investigation? As long as he does his job well, who cares?!
Great for him and us and for all too!!!
Sounds as though Susan Fletcher is the one who needs to be investigated.
Who would have thunk it???? They’re everywhere!
Yaaay Dallas!
When will this not be a big deal?
I love him… “I hope this frank announcement satisfies Tincy Miller and the ladies associated with the Golden Corridor organization,” Clayton wrote. “All of us can now move on with discussions concerning education instead of being overly preoccupied with my personal life.”
That is an awesome line. I hope it does happen but knowing idiots and bigots like I do… That’s likely not the case.
Good luck, I hope you don’t suffer profeshonally for it.
Republicans tend to go on about how government is too big and how it infringes too much on people’s rights (guns, taxes, smoking, etc.). Strange, then, that these very people are the first ones to stick their noses into the most private of areas, such as who one loves and a woman’s right to opt for birth control.