Republican politician says childhood abuse made him gay for five years

A Republican candidate for governor in the US state of Missouri has told voters that childhood abuse led him to be gay for five years, but that he has since “overcome” the “evil”.

Bob Dixon – who is now married to a woman and opposes marriage equality – revealed in 1991 that he lived as a gay person for five years until 1988, when he underwent a religious awakening.

The politician has now attempted to allay conservative voters in the gubernatorial campaign by issuing a statement putting his “teenage confusion” over his sexuality down to abuse he suffered in his childhood.

In the letter, Dixon said he had now put the “confusion” behind him, and that what was “intended for harm has resulted in untold good”.

He went on: “I have overcome, and will not allow evil to win.”

Defending his personal past, he added: “There are people who to this day try to turn politics into a blood sport. This sort of approach discourages many good people from public service.

“While it is disappointing, I will have no fear of those who wish to tear down others for their gain. I will have no part of it.”

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