Anti-Gay Texas Lawmaker Resigns, Seeks Higher Office

After making national waves in August for making anti-gay comments, San Antonio, Texas, Councilwoman Elisa Chan submitted a letter of resignation on Monday, announcing she will leave her position in two weeks in order to pursue a higher office, My San Antonio reports.

"I have done my best to represent the conservative values of these fine people. The people of this district take an active role in deciding policy, giving their input, volunteering their time and listening to the views of their neighbors," Chan, 47, wrote to San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro and council members. She also said she is proud of the city and "what we have accomplished."

Chan's last day as San Antonio's District 9 councilwoman will be Oct. 18, the lawmaker's campaign spokesman Craig Murphy told My San Antonio.

Chan came under fire in August when a former aide leaked a secret recording where the lawmaker allegedly made anti-gay remarks during a meeting.

"I don't think homosexual people should do adoption," Chan said in the recording. "They should be banned by adoption. You're gonna confuse those kids. They should be banned. If you wanted to choose that lifestyle, we don't want to discriminate you, but it shouldn't affect the young people. How terrible that we actually allow them to adopt?"

The ordinance the group was debating, which passed in September, prohibits discrimination based on veteran status, sexual orientation and gender identity for city jobs or jobs contracted with the San Antonio.

Chan allegedly went on to say, "It is actually, what you call, suggestive, for the kids to be corrupt, which is against nature. I'm telling you, anything that is against nature is not right. You know, to be quite honest, I know this is not politically correct. I never bought in that you are born, that you are born gay. I can't imagine it.

"When I say that it's ... behavioral preference, they say that, 'No, you're born with it.' But I never bought into that," she added." I think it's just disgusting just to even think about. All the definitions. ..."

Chan, however, defended her statements soon after she made international headlines.

"The comments from the staff meeting on May 21st were and are my personal opinions and thoughts as guaranteed to me by the 1st amendment to the U.S. Constitution," Chan said. "It is unfortunate that a former member of my D9 Council team betrayed the trust of my staff members and me. I will fight, I will always fight for our freedom of speech, especially in a private setting."