You wisely note the distinction between outing and reporting - I'm grateful for that. It strikes me that if you wouldn't have any problem reporting on a heterosexual male politician insisting that his girlfriend get an abortion whilst he votes consistently against a woman's right to choose, then you should have no problem reporting on a politician's sexuality if they have consistently voted to harm people who share that sexuality. This is not a question of "privacy"; it is a question of hypocrisy, and we have the right to know the ways in which our various politicians are hypocritical.
Michael, no one and I mean NO ONE can separate and explain the nuances between what should be private and public in terms of sexuality better than you. You have always been a superior communicator in this regard. Not only over the issue of sexuality. You perfectly parse apart the what and why it all matters on all issues of civil rights and how peoples decisions effect all of us in real time. Some people have a hard time these critical thinking unless it effects them directly. You clarify all that. I cant thank you enough for being one of the reasons I got my ass out of the gay clubs many years ago and onto the streets to try and make a difference. HAPPY PRIDE BABY!
I have no sympathy for anyone who is gay, in a position of power and uses that power against LGBT people through votes, legal action, etc. Lindsey Graham is a security risk at this point, because it is more than blindingly obvious he has been compromised into doing a 180 with respect to Trump, and more than that, is actively working in the Senate and on social media as Trump's defender even when such defense is in itself indefensible. Being gay should never be an issue, being gay and adversely affecting other gay people is a big issue and should be treated as such. Karma paid a long over due visit on Lady G.
The article is spot on. The LG supporters here are insane. Who said they oppose socialism? Let's repeat again what that means...don't drive on highways, don't call 911, don't file for social security when you retire, don't use Medicaid or Medicare, don't send your kids to public schools, don't cash that stimulus Covid check, don't file or pay your income tax so it won't be used for infrastructure, don't pay a toll on the highways and bridges, don't pay any local sales taxes, don't renew your driver's license or license plates. Then come back and let us all know how that works out for you. There is no "radical left" agenda to turn everyone gay. And Lindsey Graham is the biggest lap dog in the Senate. He'll say anything to be elected. And the reason he kisses Trump's arse is so that Trump won't out him. Bigly.
I live in S.C. from CT I have many gay friends and I love them with all my heart What Linsey has done to hurt them is wrong I want him kicked out of the closet and stopped
Fascinating piece. As a Cis who is a lifelong (& second generation) defender, supporter & fan of LGBTQ community, I've been told over the years that it's not a straight person's place to reveal someone's orientation...unless, like Lindsey & Schock, that person is demonstrably harming their community. (In other words, for example, actors, actresses who prefer to keep their orientation quiet are off-limits). I see the logic in this & agree, but having known several LGBTQ folk who lived entire lives & died closeted, or semi-closeted, IMO the longer hiding one's true self on behalf of careers or family/church judgement is enabled, accepted & protected, the longer society in general will perceive it as something bad, shameful & unnatural...when at this point in history, we know without a doubt that's bunk. The more public figures who come out proudly, the further we depart from old negative attitudes...the more public figures who defy their parties or bosses or management teams & come out, career be damned, the more it won't matter. From my observation, the closet must be a terrible place to be, something that clouds one's entire world view. Someone very close to me died closeted & it explained so many of his unresolved issues.
(IMO, if more closeted Republican men would fully accept who God made them to be, all that repressed shame & guilt & rage would go away & perhaps so too many of their disastrous & repressive policy ideas.)
As long as sexual orientation is a political issue - which it always is - then a politicians sexual orientation is relevant. Call it outing or reporting, I don't care, I just want the politician to address it.
Suggested edit: Instead of writing "though it was an open secret in Washington and in queer circles that he was gay throughout that entire time", it might be better to write "thought throughout that entire time it was an open secret in Washington and in queer circles that he was gay"
As one of the Plaintiff same sex married couples in the Louisiana Marriage Equality Lawsuit in 2015, thank you thank you thank you Michelangelo Signorlie for your dedication and service to the LGBTQ Community. You are one of our heroes. Keep up the great work.
A genie is S-Q-U-E-E-Z-I-N-G herself out of the proverbial bottle....and out will come the lime-green sludge that is it's afterbirth. And the aftermath will be as sleazy as his closeted sex life. There is a healthier, more self affirming way to handle this, but His "sale by" date has passed.
The Dowager Countess Lady Graham must go! Her old school self loathing Victorian ways have no place in 2020. South Carolina & the nation deserve far better.
This is exceptionally well written. One point you raised that I hadn't thought of was the level of deception someone is capable of stooping to. It's so true. The lies that are told to keep your orientation a secret only leads to more lies and more deception and even worse behavior. Great post!
You wisely note the distinction between outing and reporting - I'm grateful for that. It strikes me that if you wouldn't have any problem reporting on a heterosexual male politician insisting that his girlfriend get an abortion whilst he votes consistently against a woman's right to choose, then you should have no problem reporting on a politician's sexuality if they have consistently voted to harm people who share that sexuality. This is not a question of "privacy"; it is a question of hypocrisy, and we have the right to know the ways in which our various politicians are hypocritical.
Michael, no one and I mean NO ONE can separate and explain the nuances between what should be private and public in terms of sexuality better than you. You have always been a superior communicator in this regard. Not only over the issue of sexuality. You perfectly parse apart the what and why it all matters on all issues of civil rights and how peoples decisions effect all of us in real time. Some people have a hard time these critical thinking unless it effects them directly. You clarify all that. I cant thank you enough for being one of the reasons I got my ass out of the gay clubs many years ago and onto the streets to try and make a difference. HAPPY PRIDE BABY!
I have no sympathy for anyone who is gay, in a position of power and uses that power against LGBT people through votes, legal action, etc. Lindsey Graham is a security risk at this point, because it is more than blindingly obvious he has been compromised into doing a 180 with respect to Trump, and more than that, is actively working in the Senate and on social media as Trump's defender even when such defense is in itself indefensible. Being gay should never be an issue, being gay and adversely affecting other gay people is a big issue and should be treated as such. Karma paid a long over due visit on Lady G.
The article is spot on. The LG supporters here are insane. Who said they oppose socialism? Let's repeat again what that means...don't drive on highways, don't call 911, don't file for social security when you retire, don't use Medicaid or Medicare, don't send your kids to public schools, don't cash that stimulus Covid check, don't file or pay your income tax so it won't be used for infrastructure, don't pay a toll on the highways and bridges, don't pay any local sales taxes, don't renew your driver's license or license plates. Then come back and let us all know how that works out for you. There is no "radical left" agenda to turn everyone gay. And Lindsey Graham is the biggest lap dog in the Senate. He'll say anything to be elected. And the reason he kisses Trump's arse is so that Trump won't out him. Bigly.
I live in S.C. from CT I have many gay friends and I love them with all my heart What Linsey has done to hurt them is wrong I want him kicked out of the closet and stopped
Fascinating piece. As a Cis who is a lifelong (& second generation) defender, supporter & fan of LGBTQ community, I've been told over the years that it's not a straight person's place to reveal someone's orientation...unless, like Lindsey & Schock, that person is demonstrably harming their community. (In other words, for example, actors, actresses who prefer to keep their orientation quiet are off-limits). I see the logic in this & agree, but having known several LGBTQ folk who lived entire lives & died closeted, or semi-closeted, IMO the longer hiding one's true self on behalf of careers or family/church judgement is enabled, accepted & protected, the longer society in general will perceive it as something bad, shameful & unnatural...when at this point in history, we know without a doubt that's bunk. The more public figures who come out proudly, the further we depart from old negative attitudes...the more public figures who defy their parties or bosses or management teams & come out, career be damned, the more it won't matter. From my observation, the closet must be a terrible place to be, something that clouds one's entire world view. Someone very close to me died closeted & it explained so many of his unresolved issues.
(IMO, if more closeted Republican men would fully accept who God made them to be, all that repressed shame & guilt & rage would go away & perhaps so too many of their disastrous & repressive policy ideas.)
As long as sexual orientation is a political issue - which it always is - then a politicians sexual orientation is relevant. Call it outing or reporting, I don't care, I just want the politician to address it.
Suggested edit: Instead of writing "though it was an open secret in Washington and in queer circles that he was gay throughout that entire time", it might be better to write "thought throughout that entire time it was an open secret in Washington and in queer circles that he was gay"
Given how much heterosexuals hate "faggots", this just might work!
As one of the Plaintiff same sex married couples in the Louisiana Marriage Equality Lawsuit in 2015, thank you thank you thank you Michelangelo Signorlie for your dedication and service to the LGBTQ Community. You are one of our heroes. Keep up the great work.
A genie is S-Q-U-E-E-Z-I-N-G herself out of the proverbial bottle....and out will come the lime-green sludge that is it's afterbirth. And the aftermath will be as sleazy as his closeted sex life. There is a healthier, more self affirming way to handle this, but His "sale by" date has passed.
The Dowager Countess Lady Graham must go! Her old school self loathing Victorian ways have no place in 2020. South Carolina & the nation deserve far better.
You know he won't fare too well if he follows his Fuhrer to Roosha.
NOTE: to anyone reading this post. Lindsey Graham under the guise of Emma “his drag game “is trolling this thread LOL it’s hilarious!
"But Mammy! Oh Mammy! I don't know nothin' bout givin' BLOW JOBS!" --Miss Lindsey 🤣🖐️
This is exceptionally well written. One point you raised that I hadn't thought of was the level of deception someone is capable of stooping to. It's so true. The lies that are told to keep your orientation a secret only leads to more lies and more deception and even worse behavior. Great post!