Ken Mehlman, former Republican Party Chairman and campaign manager to President George W. Bush, says he's gay.

Mehlman recently told a reporter for The Atlantic magazine that he's a homosexual and now wants to become an advocate for same-sex marriage.

"It's taken me 43 years to get comfortable with that part of my life," Mehlman said.

Mehlman added that while in Republican leadership, he tried to convince the party not to attack gay marriage, but could not go against the prevailing consensus.

His advocacy work will begin with a fundraiser for a gay rights group in California.