Wrestling with the conservative-approved model of `being gay'

[donsu]

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/chi-0506070233jun07,0,1250715.story?coll=chi-newsopinioncommentary-hed


Is it just me, or does the mayor seem conflicted?

Granted, James West has a lot to be conflicted about. Last month, the Spokane Spokesman-Review reported that it had caught the city's chief executive, a social conservative who has long opposed gay rights, in a gay online chat room making a date with a computer expert hired by the paper to pose as an 18-year-old male student. West is alleged to have used the perks of his office to lure men into sexual liaisons. What's worse, he's also alleged to have molested adolescent boys over the last 25 years under color of his authority as a sheriff's deputy and Boy Scout leader.

Plenty of material for soul searching, but that's not what I'm talking about. Indeed, West has denied the alleged criminal and ethical transgressions and has been quite clear and forceful in doing so. He is considerably less clear and forceful in talking about his sexuality itself.

Asked in a May 5 interview why he sought out young men on the Internet, West told the Spokesman-Review he could not explain, but added, "I wouldn't characterize me as gay." In an interview with the same paper four days later, he said, "I am being destroyed because I am a gay man."

Last week on the "Today" show, co-host Matt Lauer tried to pin him down. Gay? Not gay?

West's reply: "You know, Matt, bisexual, gay ..."

There's more.
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read on to see how conflicted this poor man is. therapy is recommend, after people throw him out of political life.

[Crankie Avalon]

1. Maybe he'll sign himself up...

...for one of those camps where they teach people how to stop being gay and start being heterosexual. That, the power of prayer, and soon he'll be "cured." Praise Jeebus!!!

[Gildor Inglorion]

2. Unfortunately, such "conflicts" are not that uncommon

I know several deeply closeted gay men here in rural south Mississippi. Staunch Republicans to a man, yet they go to New Orleans and are wildly promiscuous on the weekends. Frankly, it's all I can manage to be civil to them.

:puke: