The state of Kentucky has never been a bastion of LGBT tolerance and support but one exception has always been the city of Covington, whose citizens rose up and spoke out forcefully against Mayoral candidate Dara McDowell , whose stated election plank was economic issues, job creation, tourism and to fight the “homosexual agenda”

After announcing her anti-gay election platform McDowell created a firestorm of emotions among the citizens ofCovington,KY which is known as one of the few cities inKentuckywith a progressive, all inclusive city charter.

“I’m concerned about leaving behind a town for my children, for all children, that is pro-homosexual agenda.” McDowell had said according to the River City News who has been covering this story.

“(Homosexuality) is a choice, I think it’s important to respect choices, but to promote it? I see the undercurrent of that (in Covington).” McDowell has also said that she would oppose gay pride festivals in the city which has held such an event the past two years. “I see what happens at gay pride parades and I don’t want them in my town,” she said.

Immediately after the River City News broke the story about McDowell’s and for weeks afterwards of continued online debate on The River City News Facebook pages. The citizens of Covington fought back against McDowell and her statements that Covington was faced with moral depravity by the city its human rights ordinance that offers protections to gay citizens, annual gay pride festivals, and the recent passage of domestic partnership benefits that would cover the same-sex partners of city employees.

McDowell finally relented last week and dropped her Mayoral bid.

“I realize that I am being biased, I can see that in myself and I do want to be that way. I do need to come to terms with that myself and I recognize that.” McDowell said “For me, I do want to advance the city economically nd I do feel like I have some good ideas, some very good ideas because Covington is such an untapped resource. I do feel like I had a vision for the city but the moral issue held me back. I am deficient in that area and I do need to work on that but I’m not ready to yet.”

Despite her statement though McDowell who admitted to being an “ex-lesbian” hasn’t changed many of her anti-gay views though. “(The agenda) is basically masterminded by Harvard graduate individuals that just have an agenda to basically promote homosexuality and that’s what I’m against. When I was a homosexual, I just believed that I was born that way and that kept me trapped in that and I don’t want that for anyone. I feel like I am so much better off in understanding that was a choice. It is a lie that you don’t have a choice, but it comes across as hateful and not accepting and I don’t want that to happen.”

McDowell does intend to further her studies on the issue of homosexuality by reading her Bible more, asking God for insights, and talking with pastors and other Christians.

But thankfully that will not be happening as Mayor of Covington, Kentucky thanks to its many LGBT supportive citizens.

*Source: The River City News