James Vacca, a city councilman from the
Bronx, came out gay Friday on Twitter.
“After talking w/ my friends &
family I've decided to come out publicly as a gay man,” Vacca
wrote. “Now back to the Golden Girls!”
The Democrat's revelation, which was
marked with the hashtags #outandproud and #comingout, was greeted
warmly.
“I'm honored to know you and stand
with you,” New York Governor Andrew Cuomo messaged in response.
The 60-year-old Vacca has represented
the 13th District of the Bronx in the City Council since
2006.
He told The
New York Times that as a public official he thought coming
out was “an important thing” for him to do.
Vacca, who is in the process of getting
a divorce from his wife, added that he was “overwhelmed” by the
positive response.
“It's heartwarming,” he said. “I
never expected this. I thank all the New Yorkers who have been so
kind.”