Well Dreier's gayness is a well-established FACT.
Mitch McConnell set my gaydar off years ago.
Obviously an investigation is called for.
As for Lindsay Graham I recall stories that he was about to get married a few years back. What happened?
To me the second-day story on all of this is Internalized Homophobia -- and I'm NOT talking about Republican politcians.
I'm talking about all those gays and lesbians who keep bleating about how we shoudl feel sympathy for Larry Craig and his ilk.
Not while I can still draw breath!!!!
The longer we participate in the practice of hiding sexuality because it is detrimental to financial and social success, the longer we can expect to be treated like pariahs.
Greed should be exposed especially when it is a characteristic of a public official that is in charge of tax payer funds and of policy positions that affect the general public.
I want to know - via expose - when a politician is being rewarded financially from defense contractors when war is planned by our govt.
The same is true for political leaders that engage in behavior that they are legislating against.
I am tired of being the tool of profit for politicians of either party.
Cock sucking by Republicans is one example of expose. Another would be an examination of Hillary Clinton's plan of leaving marriage equality decisions for states to decide - particularly in light of the decision made in Iowa last week.
Self promo - i wrote about clinton/iowa in my damn myspace blog and in a diary at Pam's House Blend.
I used to be very much against outing, but I have changed my mind. I think it's time to force closeted gay Republicans with anti-gay voting records out of the closet.
Let's see what the Republican Party says about its gay members who haven't committed any crimes. That will be the true test of their ethics, and we know what the result will be.
I am just as concerned about Demo homos who also voted for anti-gay legislation including the federal marriage amendment and are still in the closet.
Why keep them in office with our support? Let's not play the double standard on party affiliation on who can stay and who must go.
Name some big demo politicos who are queerer than a three dollar bill but not rendering support to our civil rights cause.
PS David E. Love your attitude.
If it were revealed that Lindsay Graham is gay it would be the death nail for his political career, no doubt. The voters in South Carolina can't stand him for his AMNESTY vote. He said if you were against illegal immigration and amnesty that you were a bigot. He is just like Larry Craig in that he will vote for anti-gay bills and then vote to give ILLEGAL immigrants rights. I can't stand him. What about the gay Americans that have fought ALL THEIR LIFE to gain equal treatment. It's a goddamn slap in the face.
Mitch McConnell is the same way.
I generally agree with Michaelangelo's recommendation to urge mainstream media inquiries of these Republicans but suggest that the following may be more important than investigations of McConnell, et. al.:
1. Press the Republican leadership, the RNC, and the White House -- press conference, calls, whatever -- to explicitly distinguish between its treatment of Craig on the one hand and Vitter on the other. This will expose, over time if not immediately, the hypocrisy and cynical political and homophobic motivations of that crowd. In turn, the political middle ground, and particularly younger voters, will see the hypocrisy and double standard of it all, to say nothing of the political cynicism (though, what's new about that). (Polls show young voters are moving away from Republicans, partly because the latter are seen as less tolerant.) In short, let's help the Republicans weaken their political support. Remember how the Republicans piled on during the Terry Schiavo situation? It came back to haunt them.
2. Try to get more "mainstream" pundits to pursue the above line of thinking. Surely it is very helpful in this regard to have guys like Ben Stein (http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/09/02/sunday/
main3228091.shtml) say Craig was just lynched by his own party.
I'm all for exposing hypocrisy, Mr. Signorile, but let's do it in a way that we don't appear to be vindictive.
Since Craig essentially fell on his sword (no pun intended) for the Republican party, it will be interesting to see if he is still treated a pharaoh after the scandal settles down. If Craig is vindictive enough (and he has every right to be after being thrown under and run over with the Repub bus this week) maybe just maybe Craig will out the Lindsay Grahams and David Dreiers of the world....
Ever since Mr. Signorile began 'equalizing' in "Outweek," I have been behind him. "Queer In America" especially his section on Washington showed how dank and dirty Washington's closets of power truly are.
It is time that hypocrites Republican, Democrat, Independent, etc who vote anti-gay, yet lead secret gay lives are exposed.
Let's do it in the name of "National Security"
One might say that it is EXTREMELY DANGEROUS having representatives who can be blackmailed. I think these closet-cases represent serious security risks.
On the other hand, an openly gay Congressperson cannot be blackmailed.
Now, If Sen. Craig did the brave thing and came out about his sexuality, I would want him to fight for his seat. Since he did not, I want his ass out of there..
I also think RNC is really showing it's homophobic stripes... there is no denying that based on their actions and their double standards, Republican = anti-gay.
The noses of those Log Cabinites keep getting more brown every day.
I don't think Craig knows any other gay senators. I think he really believes he's not gay. I think he's more like a classic serial killer, i.e., he tries to suppress his urges but when they get out of control he goes to a restroom. I think he'll be arrested again, next time in some bathroom along I-84 in southern Idaho.
I think the deep closet cases (by which I mean closeted from themselves) are truly alone with what they see as their affliction.
Some will say that I should not even discuss unsubstantiated rumors and thus further them with no evidence (and let me point out that I do not have any idea if the rumors about McConnell are true
----------
hummm...
and you probably won't care, until someone successfully sues your ass all the way to their bank ...
don't get me wrong, I don't mean that there is something defamatory in being gay.
however, publically saying that someone did something that they didn't (i.e. be-ing gay) is clearly a problem.
"however, publically saying that someone did something that they didn't (i.e. be-ing gay) is clearly a problem."
Is it wrong to speculate that someone is Jewish? Is it wrong to speculate that someone might have blue eyes, or brown hair?
Why do you say it is a "problem?"
Sounds like the "problem" is all yours.
No, that's not it. You cannot say that someone *did something* that they did not.
Hiding behind a passive formulation "being gay" is just that - hiding.
I'll go a step further.
What if, I'm not a gay guy, and then someone spreads rumors that I am. Suddenly, I'm unable to find chicks who dig me and want to date me?
Do I get to sue the person who just ruined my ability to find a suitable marriage, either in the short-run or the long-run?
Do you know how much money Mitch McConnell has raised already to run again in KY? You can take what risk you think right, but I'd be damn sure I'd cross my t's before I attacked that ship head on, that's all ...
I wouldn't worry about all that, Amicus. Chicks, after all, have gaydar.
Well, whatever. I just wanted to drop a word to the wise, that's all.
I'll leave you with two thoughts / observations:
1. compared to the amount of money and the political stakes/power that you are tapping into here, a lawsuit is chump change for these guys and their supporters.
2. if memory serves, Tom Cruise successfully sued a tabloid and those guys are more 1-st amendment lawyered up than just about anyone...
Facts, facts:
The Tom Cruise guy said Tom Cruise "is" gay.Signorile says he doesn't know if the rumors are true or not but that they should be looked at. Perhaps they will be looked at and proved wrong.
A judge a couple of years ago ruled that implying someone is gay is no longer "defamation" as homosexuality becomes more accepted.
Let McConnell clarify all of this. All the better for all of us.
Signorile says he doesn't know ...
----
... you can give that whirl in front of a judge, I suppose.
Anyway, here's an alternative approach:
1. Take *everyone* who has a zero rating from the HRC and make an "hyprocrisy watch" list
2. Add a rank for those people who have make frequent and vituperative speeches that condemn homosexualty and more (including such things as Craig's "nasty, naughty boy" quip). With the right resources, people in the blogosphere might even be able to help flesh this out
Evaluate and interpret the list, using some of the 'deep background' information, if it exists; but not just rumor-related 'fumes'.
A framework like that might seem cumbersome, but it would keep things from looking like a 'hit job', which maybe needlessly rankles a lot of people.
anyway, just 2-cents. Now I really gotta scoot..
Going after Miss McConnell, Lindsey Graham and David Dreier is like shooting fish in a barrel. Real men go to Tehran-- I mean, real men are nailing down the facts on North Carolina Abe Lincoln impersonator Lil' Patrick McHenry, (R-NC), whose story will make Larry Craig's look like a day in the tearoom.
They knew about Craig the whole 27 years he served the GOPers!
Two of Larry Craig's stepchildren were on "Good Morning America" this morning, declaring that he wasn't gay.
That's merely ridiculous. But what's trul egregious uis the fact that at no point were they identified as his stepchildren. Aviewer tuning in would have every reason to believe they're his biological children, when they're not, thus strengthing the lie that he's straight.
ABC must be called on this!!!!!
Craig was a hypocrite. One of the worst kind. And I DO feel sorry for any old man who's generation forced them into the closet to the point where they have to degrade themselves in a public toilet stall. I don't care who it is, but what that generation of gay people had to go thru, no one should.
Hope he eventually comes out and lives his life as a normal gay man should.
Latest FaBlog: Fait Divers -- How To Lie on National Television
I only know one big-name Dem politician who is closeted, but since she votes the right way a huge percentage of the time I have no problem with her keeping her private life to herself.
I thought Craig had three adopted kids. Where's the third kid in all of this? This "full court press" type of damage control isn't something that you bow out of because you have an "appointment" on your calendar. Not showing up sends a statement.
What if, I'm not a gay guy, and then someone spreads rumors that I am. Suddenly, I'm unable to find chicks who dig me and want to date me?
Are you kidding? You'd get all kinds of attention from women, and if you were straight you'd have plenty of opportunity to change their minds on the gay issue.
Thank you Michael. As usual you are spot on in your analysis. All of these treacherous bastards who are gay and closeted and yet vote against gay people need to be dragged out of the closet.
I am sick and tired of the hypocrisy and moralising up to the Christian Reich! I don't feel sorry for any of these people. I am 50 years old and decided way back when I was 16 that I was going to he who I am, regardless of the consequences. I has been rough, but worth every minute - instead of having to lie, lie, lie - every hour of every day.
I will say this of Mitch McConnell. He has never, to my knowledge, been busted for toilet sex. But he is the quintessential old queen that many families have. "Mommy, why isn't Uncle Harold married?" "Because he is a confirmed bachelor." "Why doesn't he have a girlfriend." "Because he is married to his career." "Why does he listen to Barbra Streisand CDs all the time?" "Because he is musical." "Why does Uncle Harold have a set of porcelain thimble collectibles?" "Shut up, dear."
Mitch McConnell investigating Larry Craig for gay sex is like Dick Cheney investigating mine owner Bob Murray for being evil.
Bob Allen, why not him next?
I work in DC and have met Ken Starr several times. My gaydar went off the deep end when talking with him. Has anyone else experienced the same thing ???
Mdmark189, regarding Ken Starr...
dingdingdingdingdingdingdingding!
I've always felt that David Letterman was gay, but bless his heart, he has always been a friend of the gay community.
I have also sort of presumed that about Letterman. He has given off vibes since I've watched him, and I used to go to his tapings 'way back in NY when he was on NBC. He was "dating" a woman on his staff named Merrill Markoe, and let me tell you: bow-wow!
http://baptistsforbrown2008.word...ig-in-the-back/
In many ways, the fundraisers are more responsible than the politicians themselves. Politicians are dispensable, but the money must flow. Anyone who is queer and who raises money for homophobic politicians of any political party should be outed.
i came of age during the outweek era. Michelangelo Signorile and his outing, the conversations it started and my own inability to continue to perpetuate "the lie" led to me coming out of the close and probably saved me from from the mens room.
there is absolutely NOTHING wrong with shining a light on our elected officials. closeted/anti gay behaviour or even private drug use will sending young people to prison for the same thing.
again- the outweek era directly and positively effected me as a young gay man. thanks Michelangelo!
michael, ur awesome 
thanks
outing gays who vote anti-gay is a good thing. We are not exposing them as being gay as much as we are exposing them for their hypocrisy and lies. There is an old saying my mom used to always say to me. "If you see a person rising up to heaven due to his own will, yank him down by the leg. Its good for him"
PEEKING AND DUCKING
It seems strange that Republicans are so into boy-loving--
But why should Craig go to the Hague when he was just Karl-Roving,
By which I mean (before a snit´s thrown) acting hypocrite:
It seems high principled (and balled) folks don´t know when to quit.
What is it with these Christian fundamentalists as well
That seem to go to bed with boys which they can never tell
(If not with myriad prostitutes in seedy-bought affairs):
The coalition does much more than putting on its airs.
(I
´d rather keep my nose out from the bedroom of a brother,
But my compatriots it seems will not abide that druther:
Republicans as fixate if it leads minds to catharsis
Imagination on the pricks as penetrate dark arses.
Please, is it such a thrill to think upon what others do
In privacy? It seems to me you merely misconstrue
Images flashed continuously upon your troubled mind,
Heavily breathing--thoughts upon another man assigned.)
Look, I´m a carnal man as much as any other fellow,
But I
´m a mite annoyed with trying to drown out the bellow:
Y
´all sound like elephants in heat whatever that may sound like,
Trumpeting yearnings unfulfilled for passions all unbound-like.
Leave me in peace: beneath the sheets I have a dainty lover,
Gender of whom though you presume ´tis not yours to discover--
The creature has that suppleness, gentility of youth
While you distract as per extraction of a rotten tooth.
The object of my sweet desires and my affections is
So smooth in skin unblemished as I press and make like this,
But why is it so grave to you what sort it is I kiss?
Regardless, I and--someone--have achieved a perfect bliss.
So I imagine in the dark
It turns you on, to think and think,
But we have set the car in park
While yours is rolling off the brink.
.
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