With the eruption of the Mark Foley scandal, as well as this week’s impending National Coming Out Day, the question of politicians and their personal lives in one that seems to be on American minds. And while outing celebrities has always been one of those sentiments that rings with: "oh let them be, but everyone already knows so I’m going to continue to gossip anyway." But the question of outing does become more serious when talking about politicians that hide in a protective closet of shame and self-loathing that can lead to using their power to deny rights to other gay Americans. Kerry Eleveld has a piece in today’s New York Blade that addresses this issue directly. And though I find it unfortunate, on some level, that politicians must have their personal lives so intensely scrutinized, the reality is that they do, and everyone should be on a level playing field in this regard so hypocrisy is not a secret. It is this concept that makes me want to reproduce Eleveld’s article in its entirety but I will highlight a specifically significant portion near the end (though I encourage you to read the whole thing).
Mark Foley’s problem was not that he was gay, it’s that he solicited teenage boys. The fact that his gayness was only scrutinized in the mainstream press after he was tied to "naughty e-mails" has now inextricably linked his sexuality with his inappropriate advances.
Another interesting media source (as I hope we bloggers are now considered) is BlogActive. Which has come under attack for its outing of gay politicians. And if Eleveld’s article hasn’t convinced you why this is not only acceptable but necessary then BlogActive writer Mike Roger’s many posts just might. This clip seems a good introduction though his most effective points comes near the end. I think its important to note that he specifically says he is not targeting celebrities, or even politicians as a whole. It’s not about gossip or prurient interest, but public interest.
For more on what local bloggers have to say on the Foley issue ORBlogs has a great feed on the whole Foley hullabaloo.
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Local performer Lee Kyle Turner is hard to miss. Alter ego Splendora, the deliciously larger than life drag queen sports not only the usual diva accoutrement but sleeves of tattoos and a 6 foot 10 inch frame. But though he’s the talk of P-town these days, with his talented trash talking persona following him everywhere he goes, Turner is aware of his more visceral background and too-real-for-comfort redneck roots. And while he may seem imposing now, 
I really don’t have much to say about the greasy looking, smiley, gay ex-Governor of New Jersey. Yeah, the one surrounded in scandal concerning promoting a man for sleeping with him; the one that was on Oprah yesterday. I didn’t watch it. But this little 