Ashburn Gets Pink Brick Award

Roy Ashburnx390 (Screen grab) | Advocate.com

California state senator Roy Ashburn has been chosen by San Francisco’s LGBT Pride Committee to receive its annual “Pink Brick” award as the person who most angered the committee, reports the San Francisco Chronicle. Ashburn, who has an antigay voting record, made headlines last March when he was arrested for driving while intoxicated in Sacramento and it was reported he’d just left a gay bar. Ashburn has voted against bills on such issues as the statewide Harvey Milk Day and gay marriage, and had even hosted an anti-gay marriage rally.

Ashburn eventually came out as a gay man on a radio program broadcast from Bakersfield a few days after his arrest but stated he would continue voting against gay rights as it reflects his conservative district.

"This is the very first time in Pink Brick Award history that an out gay person is the recipient," said Amy André, executive director of SF Pride, in a written statement. "By selecting Sen. Roy Ashburn, the LGBT community is sending a strong message to the world that LGBT people — especially those with the political power and privilege to further LGBT rights — have a responsibility to work toward liberation for all."