Gov. Charlie Crist named by blogger and the film 'Outrage,' citing closeted gay politicians

As Florida Gov. Charlie Crist considers whether to enter the competitive race to replace Sen. Mel Martinez, some public talk has turned to the issue of his sexuality, thanks to Outrage, an independent film focused on politicians who are accused of hiding their sexual orientation.

During this appearance on an Arlington, Va., cable newschannel, Crist's name surfaced during a conversation on Outrage. The film names Crist among several political figures alleged to be hiding their sexual orientation, using comments from people who claim to be past lovers in addition to other material.

The newschannels' segment featured blogger Mike Rogers, whose blogActive site features similar reports on political figures, and host Doug McKelway in a heated argument that distracts from some key questions which deserve an answer:

Does the movie make a strong case for its allegations against each subject, and were the subjects given a chance to respond?

Is it ethical to reveal a politician's private sexual orientation, just because someone feels their policies are anti-gay?

Is there a difference between a politician who does not reveal his/her sexual orientation and a politician who creates a public image different than his/her private life?

Is it fair to a require a politician who may be gay or bisexual to publicly acknowledge their sexual orientation when they are involved with legislation impacting gay or bisexual issues?

I'm not sure how I feel about these issues; there seem to be strong arguments on both sides. Making all this tougher to navigate is the GOP's longstanding demonization of gay people in electoral politics and the damage a politician can receive just by having his/her name included in these discussions.

Here's the clip.

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[KELLI2L]

Before calling Gov Charlie Crist gay - shouldn't proof be shown. I would like to see the proof please. . .

[Scott]

Eric, I'm surprised you are conflicted on this.

Let me ask you, if Clarence Thomas in a Supreme Court decision overturned the Loving decision and suddenly inter-racial marriages were illegal again, would you point out that he is married to a white woman?

At least last I checked he was. Since she is his second wife, he may have divorced her in the middle of chemotherapy ala Newt Gingrich or he may have moved onto a third wife (and third divorce) ala Rush Limbaugh.

[Mike Bear]

Charlie Crist is good governor and a wonderful lover

[Bush Cheney 2012]

Homosexuals who actively or passively support Crist, please stop! You are undermining our future. Think of Step n Fetchit represeting African Americans in the Senate. That would be wrong. It is no more correct than for Crist to "represent" us with a wink and a nod while he rails against corruptors of Family values in the Senate with Mitch McConell. Be proud. You think he'll be stealth, or a long term threat. Get real. He will sell out because if he leads a lie in his personal affairs, how can you expect him to be honest with you. Wake up!

[Bush Cheney 2012]

Priceless. This commentator is defending Larry Craig asking for homosexual sex in a public men's room. Disgusting. This is the problem I have with Fox News, Larry Craig, Crist, and this reporter. I have young children and I do not want to take my daughter or son into any bathroom and see or hear two men having sex. These folks all talk and preach about family values, but they support this repulsive behavior because it's between to consenting adults (typically conservatives). Enough. Not in a public restroom. Why can't this reporter get it?

[RagsTTiger]

I don't really don't think the last sentence of your article was needed to tie up the content.
Ever hear of the Log Cabin Republicans?
This film is an outrage. The film's purpose was designed only to inflame not to educate.
The director tried every verbal trap he could on the hosts. The interviewer was having none of it. Kudos to them.

[Jason]

Let's get this straight, when gay elected officials vote for laws that discriminate against the gay population of this country their asses need to be hung out for the world to view. When they live one life in the light of day and another at night, at the same time voting for legislation that is destructive to gay citizens, they deserve to have their real lives splashed across the papers. Too many gays Americans have been bashed and murdered because of bigoted laws passed by dirty politicians with dirty agendas.

If you are gay and have not been working against the gay community you have no worries, stay in that closet as long as you wish. But if you are gay and voting for laws that discriminate against gays, get ready for that door to swing open WWWIIIDDDEEE. The days of "treat the gay any old way" are over, and somebody always knows what you have been doing.

[Mike Rogers]

Thanks for the props!
Mike Rogers

[Robin 'Roblimo' Miller]

I have the old NSA/CIA security clearance attitude toward gay politicians: I don't care about your sexual orientation as long as you don't hide it and, therefore, make yourself subject to blackmail over it.

There's also the hypocrisy angle. I spent enough time living and writing in the DC area to almost automatically expect the loudest "family values" thunderers to be caught eventually with a boy -- or at least a callgirl.

[KansasGirl]

Exactly when do Republicans demonize gays?

[beltwaybandit]

Indeed, there are very sound arguments on both side of this issue.

But in the end, this seems much ado about nothing. A guy with an agenda takes advantage of an opening in the media to score points for his agenda. It's called Beltway 101. It's a way of life in DC.

I find it interesting that the recent fuss about Miss California in the Miss USA contest followed similar lines...a guy with an agenda takes advantage of a media opening and runs with it to further his agenda. Except in his case, Miss California turned out to be a little different in real life than her supporters portrayed her. But to her credit, the answer was hers and she has stood by it.

I would point out to LittleBro that the pot stirring character in this story is Rogers. And in the Miss USA contest, it was Perez Hilton.

My question to LittleBro is, what's your point? Beyond calling Eric some names, what is the point to your post?

Or wasn't there one?

[Eric Deggans]

Ouch.

What did I do to provoke such an energetic response LittleBro?

What I do on the blog is offer a little reporting, a little expert interpretation and a little discussion.

I try not to act like i have all the answers. But I feel, after 20 years covering arts, entertainment and media, that I have a few.

So I'm sorry if you find my posts and comments pompous, but I don't agree. I'm not talking about this stuff to stir the pot, I'm talking about this stuff because I think it is important and interesting.

Two more points: You can't judge a blog's traffic by the comments.

And this may be the first time I've ever been compared to Rush Limbaugh by anybody.

[LittleBro]

You're right - it's YOUR blog and I have no right to post on YOUR hlog. Except it's really the St Pete Times' site you use.

But - you're nothing if not pompous. You are not different from the hypocrites you enjoy skewering in such important matters as Dancing with the stars and Idol and the other pap you study so carefully. The real problem, though, is you are no different from such idiots as Rush Limbaugh who exist simply to stir the pot.

You're certainly no "journalist," Mr Deggans. And while you like to think of yourself as a "critic" and an "advocate" for "viewers," you're simply a talking head in search of an audience. Based on a quick count of your commenters, you're approaching ten.

Now - quickly - delete.