A conservative running for a seat in the Virginia House of Delegates admitted that she had an affair with a female student back when she was a junior high school gym teacher in the 1970s.
Linda Wall told the Associated Press that she was a different person 40 years ago when she had sexual relations with the unidentified student, who was a minor at the time. In 2006, she admitted under oath that she had been involved with a minor during a defamation hearing.
"I've never tried to hide that I was in homosexuality," she said. "If anybody Googles me, they would find that out there.”
Wall said her conversion to Christianity stopped her addiction to marijuana, and changed her sexual orientation. Since then, she lobbied the Virginia General Assembly to oppose gay rights, marriage equality, and adoption for gay parents as a member of the Family Foundation.
She was never criminally charged, but could still face charges if the former student steps forward. According to the AP, the state of Virginia does not have much of a statute of limitations on sexual offenses.
Wall, a conservative with no party affiliation, is running against Democrat Connie Brennan and Republican Matt Fariss for an open seat in Appomattox, Va., vacated by Del. Watkins M. Abbitt, who is retiring after 26 years. The AP obtained the information about Wall's sexual past from Paul Jost, a former political challenger who sued Wall for defamatory claims she made during the Republican primary.
On her website, Wall touts her past work in antigay lobbying, and said she would continue to ensure the state pass no gay rights laws.
"For two years, I worked with groups in the state to help pass the Marriage Amendment to the Constitution of Virginia defining marriage as a union between one man and one woman," she said. "I will defend that amendment and oppose any legislation that attempts to create or recognize any other union, partnership, or legal status to which is assigned the rights or benefits of marriage."
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