Gays comment on Foley resignation ("he lived as a closeted gay man")

[Human Torch]

Posted on Sat, Sep. 30, 2006

Gays comment on Foley resignation
BY STEVE ROTHAUS, [e-mail]

http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/15643524.htm

''He was a homophobe who needed to be exposed,'' said journalist Michael Rogers, whose website, http://www.blogactive.com/, reported on Rep. Mark Foley of West Palm Beach for three years. ''I first started to report on Foley in March 2003,'' said Rogers, who is gay. 'The reason why -- he's antigay. He voted for the Defense of Marriage Act and has not renounced that vote. He refused to acknowledge that he supported the repeal of `don't ask, don't tell.' He would not sign on as a co-sponsor. He should be held accountable for not supporting that or co-sponsoring. ``No community is expected to harbor their own enemies from within. He is an enemy of our community, yet he wants to step into our community and put us at risk. He puts every one of us in a bad light.''

In 1996, The Advocate, a gay newsmagazine, outed Foley. During his 2003 run for U.S. Senate, several Florida newspapers reported the old Advocate story. Foley has never publicly said that he is gay. On May 23, 2003, he called a news conference and said that the innuendo about his life was ''revolting and and unforgivable'' and that he would not discuss his sexual orientation.

''Elected officials, even those who run for the United States Senate, must have some level of privacy,'' Foley said during a half-hour conference call with newspaper reporters from across Florida. ``My mother and father raised me and the rest of my family to believe that there are certain things we shouldn't discuss in public. Some of you may believe that it's old-fashioned, but I believe those are good ideals to live by.''

Rogers said Foley's problems come from being in the closet. ''I do believe that he had unhealthy sexual advances to these guys because he was living his life as a closeted gay man,'' Rogers said. ``Healthy gay men who are mature and dealing with their sexuality in a mature way don't hit on kids who are 16 years old. What's his signature issue? You don't know whether to laugh or cry.''

[goddess40]

1. He's a pedophile = big difference

If were hitting on people over 21 it would be different. I heard Randi Rhodes say she knew about him but didn't and wouldn't out him but I'm sure that would have been different if she knew he was hitting on kids.

[Phredicles]

2. Yeah, "gay" does NOT equal "preying on the vulnerable",

which is what Foley has done.

While Foley's hypocrisy certainly deserves to be castigated, it's his abuse of power and of his office (a drearily typical Rethuglican crime) that truly warrants condemnation (to say nothing of criminal charges!).

[madrchsod]

3. i don`t get what the hell this guy is trying to say...

if you have a healthy sex life you won`t be a pedophile? i maybe wrong but this guy should back that statement up with some facts...

[kestrel91316]

4. I think he's saying that the self-loathing drove him to it. It's easier to

hide your gayness if you just prey on the young, who can be easily threatened and intimidated.

IF hiding it is what you want to do............

[Sinti]

6. Well, obviously sex with children is NOT a "healthy" sex life

so yes, if you have a "healthy" mind re: sex you won't be a pedophile. ;)

OTOH, boys or girls doesn't generally matter that much to these types. The power gets them off.

[DURHAM D]

5. Foley - shouldn't someone mention that what he is

signifies the true meaning of the word Chicken Hawk.