California Assemblywomen Comes Out

California Assemblywoman Cathleen Galgiani has come out as lesbian, making her the eighth openly gay member of the state legislature.

Galgiani, D-Livingston, said that by coming out now, she hopes to send a positive message to young people who are struggling to come to terms with their sexual identity. "It sickens me that young people would think about taking their lives because of who they are," Galgiani said. Galgiani, 47, said it was not until well into adulthood, after she was elected to represent the 17th Assembly District in 2006, that she knew she was gay.

Galgiani will be term-limited out of office next year and plans to then run for the state Senate.