It is always sad to see a prominent public figure taken down by our festering homophobia. Which seems to be happening right now in Sacramento according to Wyatt Buchanan of the SF Comical:

Republican state Sen. Roy Ashburn of Bakersfield has taken leave from his elected position until at least Monday after his arrest on suspicion of drunken driving started a firestorm over his sexual orientation.

Ashburn, 55, has served in the Legislature since 1996 and consistently has voted against bills that would expand legal protections for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Californians. The single father of four is among lawmakers with the staunchest records against those issues.

Ashburn was arrested and booked into Sacramento County jail on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol just after 2 a.m. Wednesday. A Sacramento television station cited unnamed sources in reporting that Ashburn had spent the evening at Faces, a large gay dance club a few blocks from where police stopped him. Ashburn was driving his state-issued vehicle. Sacramento station KOVR reported there was another man in the car with Ashburn.

There has been no confirmation of Ashburn being at the club that night, which drew large crowds for a Miss Gay Latina Sacramento competition. But, three sources have told The Chronicle that they have seen Ashburn regularly at gay clubs and bars near Faces. Capitol staffers say it is an open secret that Ashburn frequently visits Sacramento's gay establishments.

Still Wonks Anonymous is laughing through his tears because there is some justice here when a man who has spent his career trying to force others back into the closet suddenly has his own closet explode in a big hot mess. It would seem that the powers that be have decided that it is time for Senator Ashburn to experience a little tough love. Wonks Anonymous prays that it does not drive him to one of those ministries that "cure" gay people.

Of course this all gives the lie to the supporters of Proposition H8 who argued that gays are accepted and powerful and not subject to discrimination particularly by the folks who supported Proposition H8.

Hide yourselves and we will agree not to hunt you down and persecute you. What more do you want?