The former Republican mayor of Folsom, California revealed that he is gay in an ad he took out in a local newspaper. Glenn Fait, who also served on the city council, came out in an effort to persuade people to vote against Proposition 8, a ballot initiative that would ban marriage between same-sex couples in the state.

“I have lived in Folsom most of my life,” the ad reads. “As a gay man, I have a personal interest in Proposition 8. My civil rights are at stake.”

The Sacramento Bee reports that Fait, 65, wanted to take a step above merely donating to and volunteering for the opposition effort.

The Bee writes:

Fait, an associate dean at McGeorge School of Law, is not the first to out himself over Proposition 8. Earlier this month, the Rev. Geoffrey Farrow, a Fresno priest, announced to his parishioners that he is gay and asked them to vote against the initiative. Diocesan leaders removed the priest from his position.

No on Proposition 8 leaders said such public revelations have been rare, and they weren’t aware of others.

“If there was ever a moment in our movement that demanded courage and acts of personal sacrifice, this is it,” said Kate Kendell, executive director for the National Center for Lesbian Rights and a member of the executive committee of No on Proposition 8.

Fait said he felt compelled to buy the ad and announce he is gay because “it is a civil rights issue.” He has no plans to marry but doesn’t want anybody else to make that decision for him.