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Cory Booker: 'People who think I'm gay, some part of me thinks it's wonderful'

Newark Mayor Cory Booker said he isn’t bothered by rumors about his sexuality given that he hasn't yet settled down with that special “life partner.”

Newark Mayor Cory Booker said he isn’t bothered by rumors about his sexuality given that he hasn't yet settled down with that special “life partner.”

“People who think I’m gay, some part of me thinks it’s wonderful. Because I want to challenge people on their homophobia,” said Booker during an interview with The Washington Post published on Monday. “I love seeing on Twitter when someone says I’m gay, and I say, ‘So what does it matter if I am? So be it. I hope you are not voting for me because you are making the presumption that I’m straight.’”

The U.S. Senate candidate said a pastor friend once told him flatly, “you need to get married” even though he came seeking mayoral guidance about how to help Newark’s rising murder rate.

After that unexpected spiritual-turned-romance advice, the New Jersey Democrat said he started to date more. But, he still prefers to keep his love life out of the spotlight.

“Because how unfair is it to a young lady to put them in the spotlight if they haven’t signed up for that yet?” Booker said.