Grassadellia City mayor comes out after bombshell shocking book details personal details
GRASSADELLIA CITY -- The mayor of the nation's largest city has publicly addressed his sexuality after a controversial book written by a former political acquaintance revealed details of his personal life.
Kellan Kastol, the 42-year-old mayor of Grassadellia City, confirmed the book's assertion that he is bisexual.
Rumors about Kastol's sexuality have swirled for years, but the topic intensified recently when Bryan George, a former Nationalist Party official, wrote a bombshell book that accused Kastol of being bisexual and detailed Kastol's romantic relationships.
In his book "Casual Politics," released last week by the Williams-Stanstead publishing house, George claims to have firsthand knowledge of Kastol's sexuality.
The book says Kastol frequently dated both women and men during his early years in office, including another prominent Damoign politician, Conservative Senator Roman Chatskovy.
George says Kastol's alleged romantic encounters with Chatskovy were secretive because both men publicly identified as heterosexual.
Both Kastol and Chatskovy are unmarried bachelors who are known for their good looks and impressive physiques, and both have received widespread media attention for their fitness and attractiveness.
In a deeply personal, sit-down interview with the Chamberlain Network's Diane Caufield, Kastol admitted he is bisexual.
"For me, sex and sexuality...it's more about relationships and being close with someone than it is about gender. I think anyone, under the right circumstances, with the right person and a deep connection, can fall for someone of the same gender. I know I have," he said.
"For me, sex and sexuality...it's more about relationships and being close with someone than it is about gender. I think anyone, under the right circumstances, with the right person and a deep connection, can fall for someone of the same gender. I know I have," he said.
But when asked if he had a relationship or romantic encounters with Chatskovy, as Bryan George's book alleges, the mayor declined to answer.
"I'm not going to get into the details of my personal life and who I've dated and been involved with. That's between me and them. But what I will tell you, and the rest of the nation now in this interview, is that, yes, I am a bisexual Grassadellian. I have dated women and men, I am attracted to both women and men. And I'm okay with that."
The book was correct about his sexuality, but other details of the book are inaccurate, Kastol said, though he declined to elaborate.
"Bryan was right about that. I like women and men. But other details in the book about who I've dated, and other personal details about me that he put in there are not correct. There a lot of mistruths in his book, so it should really be taken with a big grain of salt," he said.
Kastol noted that George previously worked for his campaign, and had been fired.
"This book is the work of a disgruntled former employee of my campaign," he said.
Kastol noted that George previously worked for his campaign, and had been fired.
"This book is the work of a disgruntled former employee of my campaign," he said.
Back in 2012, Kastol briefly and publicly dated then-attorney general candidate Jenna Duvan. The power couple dated for about nine months before splitting up.
In 2016, Duvan was elected governor of Damoign, a position she currently holds.
Since his split with Duvan, Kastol has not had any public relationships.
It was following his break-up with Duvan that Bryan George alleges Kastol began secretly dating or "hooking up" with Chatskovy on multiple occasions.
The book describes their relationship as a "discreet friends with benefits" arrangement.
Swarmed by reporters and cameras yesterday outside his Libney home, Roman Chatskovy denied he'd had any romantic encounters with Kastol or any other man.
"I hate to disappoint you all but I am not gay, I am not bisexual. I am heterosexual, I date women, I always have and always will," he said.
He added that Kellan Kastol is a "long-time friend and colleague," and the two have worked closely on various political causes over the years because they are elected officials.
"But our relationship has always been professional and platonic," Chatskovy said.
"This book is a disgrace and an attempt to smear good people's reputations," he added.
It was following his break-up with Duvan that Bryan George alleges Kastol began secretly dating or "hooking up" with Chatskovy on multiple occasions.
The book describes their relationship as a "discreet friends with benefits" arrangement.
Swarmed by reporters and cameras yesterday outside his Libney home, Roman Chatskovy denied he'd had any romantic encounters with Kastol or any other man.
"I hate to disappoint you all but I am not gay, I am not bisexual. I am heterosexual, I date women, I always have and always will," he said.
He added that Kellan Kastol is a "long-time friend and colleague," and the two have worked closely on various political causes over the years because they are elected officials.
"But our relationship has always been professional and platonic," Chatskovy said.
"This book is a disgrace and an attempt to smear good people's reputations," he added.
When asked for his thoughts about Kastol's coming out as bisexual, Chatskovy said he never suspected Kastol was bisexual, but he's happy for the mayor.
"I'm glad that he can be who he is and he can live a more comfortable life now without that personal issue being bottled up," said Chatskovy.
Jenna Duvan was asked about the matter, including if Kastol's bisexuality was a factor in the couple's break-up.
"I didn't know Kellan was bisexual, and I don't think he knew either. This is a personal journey that's confusing and difficult to navigate, and I understand that, and I'm here to support him in any way I can," Duvan said.
Bryan George's book doesn't accuse Kastol or Chatskovy of breaking any laws or rules, but the allegations outlined in the book could negatively affect their reputations.
Legal experts say both men could file a libel lawsuit against Bryan George, but historically, unless allegations of illegal activity are made, or of activity that is "grossly repugnant to a large sector of society," or if the plaintiffs suffer irreparable damage to their reputations, courts typically don't rule in favor of politicians in libel litigation.
In the past three decades, rumors about politicians' affairs and sex lives have been deemed permissible by the courts, since the personal lives of public officials are commonly discussed by the media and average citizens.
If the book alleged that Kastol or Chatskovy engaged in illegal sexual activity, such as prostitution or sex with a minor, then they would certainly have a libel case, legal analysts say.
Bryan George defended his book in a tense interview with GNN's Michael Micardi. George said the book contains information he was given by close confidantes, friends and aides of the mayor and senator, and his own firsthand accounts.
"I stand by the veracity of this book," George said.
He denied that the book was written out of vengeance or because he was disgruntled with Kastol or Chatskovy.
"I have a duty to tell the story. There's no personal vendetta, but politicians need to be authentic and honest about who they are."
A spokesperson for Kastol later told the National Press Federation (NPF) that the mayor is consulting with his legal team on possible legal action.
Chatskovy's office said the senator was done addressing "outlandish rumors and gossip."
Kastol is now the most prominent LGBTQ politician in the country, joining other LGBTQ leaders like Monomi Senator Rill Stevens, Lial Senator Jamie Scousenovy, and Assemblyman Peter Bennelly of Damoign.
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