“Openly” is the key word. Did his wife know? Did anybody in his life actually know? Or is he just using this as a front to justify his support of anti-LGBTQ legislation, using the identity as a shield from criticism?

Even if he is gay, but wasn’t out, this is pretty clearly a lie he’s telling to win votes.

It may not be important at all if he wasn’t openly advocating for rolling back the rights of LGBTQ people.