It was announced on Monday by a conservative Republican California state senator who has voted against numerous gay rights measures that he is homosexual.

Since he was arrested last week on drunken driving charges, Sen. Roy Ashburn who disclosed his sexuality during a radio interview with KERN, Bakersfield, said he had spent "restless nights" and gone through "soul searching". Reports were published that Ashburn had just left a gay club in Sacramento when he was arrested.

Ashburn has been on personal leave from the California Senate since his arrest March 3. On Monday, he disclosed his homosexuality saying these "are the words that have been so difficult for me for so long."

He further said," But I am gay. But it is something that is personal. I felt with my heart that being gay didn't affect my way of doing my job."

The Los Angeles Times reported that Ashburn said he made his "personal life public" as a result of his behavior.

The newspaper also reported that Geoff Kors, executive director of Equality California, which advocates for same-sex marriage, said it was "unfortunate (Ashburn) helped spread the bigotry that forced him to stay in the closet."

Kors said," We hope he now takes this opportunity to educate people in his district and throughout the state that his sexual orientation is irrelevant." (With Inputs from Agencies)