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Queerty came up with an interesting post that relates to my post a few days ago on the politics of outing politicos. Seems many agree with Kerry Eleveld (and me) that hypocritical policians need to be exposed. Besides, I couldn’t pass up the chance to use a picture like this… […]

The first openly gay congressman, Gerry Studds, died early Saturday morning at 69. I have to confess I don’t remember his time in office but I was saddened to hear of his passing. I also felt guilty for wanting to giggle that the first out congressman had to be named Studds and his age the puerile joke number 69. But as I read the New York Times article I started to become squeamish about more than my own inappropriate laughter.

Studds had his own Foley-like scandal that surfaced over 20 years ago.

But in a 1970s world without instant messaging Studds didn’t type flirt, he actually had an affair with a 17 year old page. The scandal broke 10 years after the affair, and yet Studds was reelected the next year. I’m glad that the early 80s saw the first gay congressman, and that something like this was uncovered. But it also gives me shame. And its unfortunate that the first out congressman had to be one such as this. I’m certainly willing to debate that someone who is 17 may be old enough to make their own relationship decisions, however, it is clearly an abuse of power and position for a politician to become involved with an underage page during or near their service in Washington. And while I realize that Republicans have tried to counter the present Foley scandal with this much older one, I’m actually surprised that it hasn’t made a louder noise.

Perhaps Democrats are starting to be able to spin words and cover up difficult realities as well as their opponents…whom I’ve both criticized and envied for this ability.

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In celebration of this national phenomena I just want to give you a mildly amusing little video wherein a woman in a closet suit asks passers-by whether she should come out of the closet. Stick with i… […]

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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