POCA, WV (LOOTPRESS) – A West Virginia Republican legislator took to social media this weekend to tell constituents his sexual orientation is gay.
Thirteenth District Delegate Joshua Higginbotham discussed his sexual preference during a brief, 2-1/2 video posted on his social media site.
The delegate said he had not informed voters of his orientation because some members of his family were unaware of it.
“I was afraid they might disown me,” he said looking directly into the camera. “They know now and we’re okay.”
Higginbotham emphasized that he is not ashamed of his preferences and he always wanted to share the facts with voters. Elected at age 18, the delegate is now in his third House term at age 24.
Right wing members of the GOP had always expressed some concern that Higginbotham was a proponent of pro-LGBTQ+ legislation. An organized effort to unseat him was unsuccessful last year.
Higginbotham’s announcement drew a quick response from Allen Whitt, President of the Family Policy Council of West Virginia. On his page, Whitt denounced Higginbotham for not representing “Republican family values” and called on the delegate to resign.
Whitt’s organization generally represents far-right wing values. He ran unsuccessfully against iconic Republican U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito in the 2020 GOP primary.
Higginbotham’s announcement came too late on a weekend for other party elected officials and leaders to be contacted.
We will continue to update further developments.