US state senator comes out as gay during press conference
By Sam Rigby
A US state senator has come out during a press conference against LGBT hate crimes.
Jim Ferlo has become Pennsylvania’s first out gay senator after speaking about his homosexuality on Tuesday (September 23).
He explained that he has been “a practicing homosexual” since his early 20s, following multiple relationships with women.
“Hundreds of people know I’m gay. I just never made an official declaration, ” Ferlo said. “I never felt I had to wear a billboard on my forehead. But I’m gay. Get over it. I love it. It’s a great life.”
The senator’s declaration was met with a round of applause, as he encouraged people to speak out if they are the victim of hate crime.
Ferlo was joined at the press conference by gay lawmaker Brian Sims, who has previously called for a gay president to be elected by 2024 – read more here.