"It has taken me 43 years to feel comfortable with this part of my life," said Mehlman. "Everyone has their own way to travel the path, and for me, in recent months, I told my family, friends, former colleagues and current colleagues, and have been wonderful and to offer support. process has been something that has made me a happier person and better. It's something that I would have done years ago. "
Mehlman, who ran the Republican National Convention 2005-2007, said he came to the decision to come in part because he would like to play a greater role as an advocate for same-sex marriages.
He said earlier this year, participated in a fundraiser for the American Foundation for Equal Rights, an organization that has fought the Proposition 8 ballot initiative to ban gay marriage in California. An appeals court ruled earlier this month that the ban will remain in force until December, to overrule the decision of a federal judge that the ban was unconstitutional.
Mehlman became the highest profile Republican national figure to come out as gay. Another prominent Republican, former U.S. Attorney General, Ted Olson, has led the legal fight against Proposition 8.
Ambinder Mehlman acknowledged that had he been open about his sexuality before, might have tried to push back against some of the national Republican agenda, including efforts by former Bush adviser Karl Rove in 2004 and 2006 to bring the initiatives of the same sex getting marriage on the ballot in states across the country:
"It's a legitimate question and I understand," said Mehlman. "I can not change the fact that I personally was in this place when I was in politics, and I genuinely regret that. It was very difficult, personally." He asks of those who doubt his sincerity: "If they can not offer support, at least to understand offer."
Michael Steele, current chairman of the Republican National Committee, issued a statement in support of Mehlman. "I'm happy for Ken," said Steele. "The announcement, often a very difficult decision that was accentuated when in the public arena, it reaffirms to me why we're friends and I respect personally and professionally."
Clarke Cooper, executive director of Log Cabin Republicans, which is suing the federal government to block the military "do not ask, do not tell" law, said the organization welcomed the decision to Mehlman.
"Log Cabin Republicans is very supportive and grateful for Ken is coming," said Cooper. "Being gay and being conservative are not mutually exclusive. As a fellow alumnus of Bush, I also look forward to Ken helping me and our colleagues to build a stronger more inclusive Republican Party."
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