Political Outings

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a blog has outed a GOP Rep, causing his resignation. There's evidently more to come. Is sexual orientation in any way relevant to the public at large, even when a gay lawmaker supports a gay marriage ban? Do politicians have a right to privacy in their personal lives?

― g@bbneb (gabbneb), Wednesday, 1 September 2004 00:49 (twenty years ago)

A right to privacy in their personal lives? Probably. An expectation? Not any more.

The blog in question: http://www.blogactive.com/

― Layna Andersen (Layna Andersen), Wednesday, 1 September 2004 08:37 (twenty years ago)

Hypocrasy from an elected representative? Whatever next.
I'm of very mixed opinions about this. On the one hand, I don't blame whoever took this action for being frustrated and 'outing' someone who stands against progress for gay rights.

More strongly, however, this person has a right not to discuss their private life. Is the fact that a gay person followed the party line and voted against gay marriage any more reprehensible than the fact that a straight person voted against it? They voted not to allow some people the rights enjoyed (taken for granted, perhaps) by others in their society. Why should their sexual orientation be an issue? I'm assuming this person is standing as a reactionary - why, then, be surprised when they turn out to be precisely that?

Ultimately, the policies his person supports are (or should be) far more important than what (or who) he likes to do in his spare time.

― hobart paving (hobart paving), Wednesday, 1 September 2004 10:03 (twenty years ago)

Goodness, there were a lot of brackets in that (weren't there?).

― hobart paving (hobart paving), Wednesday, 1 September 2004 10:10 (twenty years ago)

So why did he resign then? Why didn't he just say, "yeah - so I'm gay. so what?"

― dave225 (Dave225), Wednesday, 1 September 2004 11:15 (twenty years ago)

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