Democratic Assemblywoman Cathleen Galgiani has publicly come out as a lesbian.
In an interview, the 47-year-old Livingston Democrat told the Stockton Record that it was not until after her 2006 election to the Assembly that she knew she was gay.
Galgiani told the newspaper that she hoped talking about her life would provide support for youth dealing with issues related to their own sexual identity.
"It sickens me that young people would think about taking their lives because of who they are," Galgiani said in the interview.
Galgiani's spokesman confirmed the report, saying the statement came during an interview on high-speed rail and other issues.
Galgiani's announcement brings the total number of openly gay state lawmakers to eight. Her addition would make the Legislature's Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Caucus, formed in 2002, the country's largest caucus recognizing openly gay legislators in the country, according to the gay rights advocacy group Equality California
Galgiani, who is termed out of the Assembly next year, is planning to run for a competitive Senate seat in the Central Valley next year. Her opponents in the 5th Senate District race are expected to include Assemblyman Bill Berryhill, R-Ceres, and San Joaquin Supervisor Leroy Ornellas, R-Tracy.
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PHOTO CREDIT: Cathleen Galgiani, D-Stockton, casts her vote on the budget cuts portion of the Democratic budget plan during the Assembly floor session, Tuesday Dec. 16, 2008. Brian Baer, Sacramento Bee.
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