MISSOURI
Advocate
BY BIL BROWNINGJULY 28 2015
Missouri State Senator Bob Dixon is running for governor and claims that childhood abuse and “teenage confusion” caused him to be gay for a few years.
Dixon’s campaign issued a statement Monday touting his “faith in God” and support for “traditional marriage” while condemning any opponents who try to use his past against him.
“Through the years, I have publicly spoken about being abused as a child and the confusion this caused me as a teenager,” said Dixon in the statement. “There are literally thousands of Missourians who will understand how heartbreaking childhood abuse can be — though few might be willing to acknowledge it.” …
David Clohessy — the St. Louis-based director of the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests — spoke to reporters Monday about Dixon, noting his support for legislation to help “protect kids from predators,” but stopped short of endorsing him.
“As best we can tell, he’s the first statewide candidate in Missouri history to disclose that he was molested as a child,” said Clohessy. “We are sad for his trauma but grateful for his candor. Adults who have the courage to talk publicly about having been sexually assaulted, at any age by any predator, should be applauded.
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