California Assemblywoman Cathleen Galgiani came out on Tuesday during an interview with The Record.
Galgiani, D-Livingston, who says she didn't know she was a lesbian until "well into adulthood," told the paper that by coming out she hopes to be an inspiration to young people grappling with their sexuality.
"It sickens me that young people would think about taking their lives because of who they are," she said, referring to the recent highly publicized series of teen suicides linked to LGBT issues.
Galgiani, who was elected to represent the 17th Assembly District in 2006, was meeting with The Record to discuss a high-speed rail line through the Central Valley in California, notes The Modesto Bee.
Robin Adam, Galgiani's spokeswoman, told the Bee that when a reporter inquired about Galgiani's sexuality, which has been questioned before, "She was prepared to deal with it and responded honestly."
With her announcement, Galgiani, who was one of the 10 Assembly co-authors of the recently passed SB48 bill, which requires California schools to teach LGBT history, becomes the eighth openly gay lawmaker in the state. She plans on running for the newly drawn 5th Senate District seat in 2012.