BAKERSFIELD, Calif. -- State Senator Roy Ashburn of Bakersfield has sent a letter to the office of the Senate President Pro Tem saying he is on a leave of absence "on personal business" through Sunday, March 7.

"It happens," said Nathan Barankin, Communications Director for
Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg.

"A senator is expected to provide advance notice where possible when they are going to be absent," said Barankin.

Ashburn has remained out of public sight and not reported for work since his arrest for a DUI, reportedly after he had been at a gay night club called Faces in Sacramento.

Christopher Cabaldon, the mayor of West Sacramento who is openly gay told KOVR TV that Ashburn is often seen at gay bars in Sacramento.

As a legislator, Ashburn has repeatedly voted against gay rights legislation. And now the owner of FACES is calling for Ashburn to resign.

"If he doesn't want to vote for any of our gay rights he shouldn't be here...I think he should step aside," owner Terry Sidie told KOVR Sacramento.

Ashburn's so called "double life" is offensive to the gay community because of his anti-gay voting record.

"I really think that it's going to be the public and the way he handles this in the community, I would be surprised if he doesn't step down," said
Bill Otton of the Sacramento Gay & Lesbian Center to KOVR.

Ashburn's letter appears to indicate he will be absent from his job
in Sacramento through Sunday, March 7. But he could then request additional time off.

Numerous calls placed to Ashburn personally have not been returned.
Staff at his Sacramento office would not say where Ashburn is, saying they do not know his whereabouts.