Should we leave Craig in the closet & let him keep suppressing gay rights?

[BigBearJohn]

... just because some think that "outing" gays is not right?

Here's my take on it: If a representative is a closeted gay
and he does not vote to condemn gay rights, then it's fine with
me if he stays in the closet. However -- if a closeted representative
votes to suppress gays and gay rights, then I feel he deserves to be
outed. His hypocrisy needs to on display for all to see.

[enigmatic]

1. I agree with you

Nothing more needs to be said.

[mark414]

2. basically

obviously the ultimate dream is that no one has to be closeted and we never have to even think about this sort of thing, but yer right.

[Philosoraptor]

3. throw a concussion bomb into his closet

he keeps his hypocrite costumes in there.

[BOSSHOG]

4. My two cents worth (everybody read)

If it weren't for republican and "christian" hate there would be no reason for anyone to be in a closet.

In the closet should not be the focus. Christian hate should be.

I find it rich that those who benefit from those who hate in the name of Jesus Christ believe they have to keep their sex lives secret.

[helderheid]

11. WOW. Excellent 2 cents!

[sandnsea]

17. Intentionally fueled by Republican partisan politics

That's the point, that's what needs to be exposed. I can't see any way to do it except outing Republican gays because that proves what they're doing has nothing to do with 'moral values' and everything to do with raw power.

[DURHAM D]

5. L.A. Times has an article about the "pink purge" and

what a conundrum the Repug party has on its hands three weeks before election. What to do? What to do? What to do?

[AndyA]

6. I think you're right.

It's the hypocrisy, nothing else.

How can you trust anyone to protect your rights when they won't stand up for their own rights?

[Bluebear]

7. I have a friend *extremely* allergic to cigarette smoke.

Oops, wrong thread :hi:

I agree with your premise, btw.

[Redbear]

20. That was funny.

At times like these, I think we should remind ourselves:

What would Archie Bunker do?

[in_cog_ni_to]

8. Larry Craig is gay?

Is that who was outed on Ed Schultz?

[Philosoraptor]

9. My Stars! Let the eagle sore!

[in_cog_ni_to]

15. Sorry...I wasn't shocked, but obviously you were.

IF Craig is gay, his RW, religious wacko nut job GAY HATING voters should know it. He's a hypocrite who votes against gay rights. Out his ass.

[Monkeyman]

10. He is the Chaiman of Veterans Committee in the Senate

The most anti-veteran Chairman ever he gets what he deserves out him

[BurtWorm]

12. You're not gay unless you say you are.

If someone else says you are, but you deny it, there's always the reasonable doubt that you're not even homosexual. In which case, others' insistence that you're gay takes on the unfortunate character of an accusation, which has the further unfortunate effect of making being gay seem like a crime or a shame.

It's a double-edged sword, until the object of the outing admits he or she is gay.

[soothsayer]

13. except for those pesky videos of him having gay sex at union

station (if they exist, anyway)

[BurtWorm]

19. If they exist.

[slackmaster]

22. Yeah, if they exist

Videotapes and rumors of videotapes.

:rofl:

[BurtWorm]

29. If they don't exist, are they still "pesky?"

:crazy:

[slackmaster]

31. Until they materialize and get Webbed or MSM'd they are just rumors

Let's leave it at that.

[orleans]

28. "You're not gay unless you say you are" unless you're a dem

if you're a dem then you're gay

we're all gay!

and the media is all liberal!

oh, and we're all practicing satanists too.

(who forgot to tell you?)

[Kurovski]

14. No, out all the hypocrites, All of them. Straight and gay alike.

"RE: Outing. Exposing Hypocrisy, is Exposing Hypocrisy, No Matter the Topic."
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x2416518

[sandnsea]

16. They're putting gays in physical danger

It's a whole lot more than denying equal rights. They've created complete hysteria over the evils of gay people which is causing gay people to be beaten and killed. You can almost understand some religious nut who actually believes that, but when it's being done by people who ARE gay for pure Machiavellian power play purposes - I just don't undestand anybody who thinks it's wrong to out the gays and the tactic.

It's like saying the military record of Cheney and Bush doesn't matter when they're smearing war heroes.

[Zhade]

18. Exactly - it's outing the hypocrisy, not the orientation.

Dangerous secretly-gay anti-gay homophobes who are actively working to destroy our (and their) rights must be exposed as the hypocrites they are and be politically disarmed. It's the ethical thing to do - sacrifice the hypocrisy to weaken their power. It's a no-brainer.

To enable the further destruction of equal rights to cover up someone's orientation seems homophobic to me - the message sent is that keeping gayness secret is more important than equal rights.

Well, to put it politely, FUCK THAT.

(Btw, anyone else notice that DU's dictionary doesn't recognize the word 'homophobe'? They should probably add it.)

[slackmaster]

21. The whole "Larry Craig is gay" story is getting fishier by the minute

Several DUers have posted that it's common knowledge that Craig has been gay all his life, but none has responded when asked for verifiable sources.

Mike Rogers says he has interviewed three men who say that had sexual encounters with Craig, but none of them are willing to go public.

If Craig has been known for some time to be gay, why wasn't he outed years ago? He's made plenty of anti-gay statements and anti-LGBT rights votes. There have been many appropriate opportunities.

Someone is taking someone for a ride here. I wonder who.

[elehhhhna]

23. Closeted politicians are VERY suceptable to BLACKMAIL. Period.

How in the hail do y'all think DeLay kept the Queens of Congress in line? Free cookies? I think not.

[Dragonbreathp9d]

24. Agreed, and I'm a huge GLBT ally

[stepnw1f]

25. "Yes... it isn't nice to pick on hypocrites" (nt)

[dsc]

26. and his replacement will be whom?

This is Idaho, not Pennsylvania. Any Idaho Senator is going to be horrid on gay rights.

[kdpeters]

27. Examine your intentions and there's your answer

This type of outing seems vindictive and mean-spirited. The reason being to punish and embarrass. Though we fight homophobia, we're nonetheless tempted to exploit it when it works to our advantage. I understand why when we feel we're defending ourselves, but I just don't think it's a good idea.

HOWEVER ....

Double lives are destructive and those who lead them a danger.

We know that many of the most virulent homophobes are lashing out at what they hate in themselves. Men on the down low subject unsuspecting wives to risks they never agreed to. Mark Foley, Jim West and the Catholic priesthood. Suppressed sexuality will find an outlet, and self-hatred, as with any hatred, can only eventually hurt someone.

I used to always categorically oppose outing, but I'm coming around to the conclusion that people who know Dr. Jekyll should beware of Mr. Hyde. These people are victims of homophobia, but more like the victims who in turn become the victimizer. This is about homophobia and the ripples of destruction it causes. It's not about Craig.

[donheld]

30. K & R bigbear

Exactly right :toast: