FORUMS > All Things Gay Forum Rules

catfish5 said
He put nude photos on A4A as a congressional candidate in a socially conservative district! He made it the publics business to know his personal affairs when he ran for public office.

You're not going to get any argument from me that Paul Babeu placing pics of himself on A4A when he was running for public office (or an elected official) was all kinds of bad judgment. That action is probably what will prove his undoing, NOT the fact that he is gay. That being said, I still think there should be a distinction made between people who are "out" and gay, but not necessarily announcing it to the world, and people who are deep, deep, DEEP "in the closet" living a lie and pretending to be something they are not. Let's use Anderson Cooper as an example. Pretty much everyone, at least in the business, or who is actually paying attention, knows that Anderson Cooper is gay. Does the "general public" know? I don't think so. Is it something the "general public needs or deserves to know? Absolutely not. If Anderson Cooper were to decide to run for public office, would this require that he should have to make some big public announcement that he is gay? No, sorry, it's not a requirement that a public figure reveal every last detail of their private life. Granted, the more "public" someone becomes, the greater risk that private things about them may be revealed --- whether that public person wants them revealed or not. Paul Babeu put himself in the danger zone by using bad judgement and posting pictures of himself on a gay dating site like A4A. A public figure who does that, does so at great risk.

Regardless, in fairness, it should probably be noted that I have no doubt that many of us here at RJ (or even A4A) who may not be politicians, but who have careers as doctors, lawyers, teachers, realtors, policeman, fireman, or any other job probably have a photograph or two on this site that we more likely than not would not want posted in the newspaper or on the evening news. So all of you screaming about "hypocrisy" might want to look in the mirror.

CuriousJockAZ said

catfish5 said
He put nude photos on A4A as a congressional candidate in a socially conservative district! He made it the publics business to know his personal affairs when he ran for public office.

You're not going to get any argument from me that Paul Babeu placing pics of himself on A4A when he was running for public office (or an elected official) was all kinds of bad judgment. That action is probably what will prove his undoing, NOT the fact that he is gay. That being said, I still think there should be a distinction made between people who are "out" and gay, but not necessarily announcing it to the world, and people who are deep, deep, DEEP "in the closet" living a lie and pretending to be something they are not. Let's use Anderson Cooper as an example. Pretty much everyone, at least in the business, or who is actually paying attention, knows that Anderson Cooper is gay. Does the "general public" know? I don't think so. Is it something the "general public needs or deserves to know? Absolutely not. If Anderson Cooper were to decide to run for public office, would this require that he should have to make some big public announcement that he is gay? No, sorry, it's not a requirement that a public figure reveal every last detail of their private life. Granted, the more "public" someone becomes, the greater risk that private things about them may be revealed --- whether that public person wants them revealed or not.

If Anderson Cooper was running for public office in a socially conservative district, his platform should include his stance on social issues. If he claims to be socially conservative and against gay rights- he should be outed.

Otherwise, its really no bodys business unless he pulls a Santorum and starts bashing gays on air and throwing the gay community under the bus. Then out him

catfish5 said

If Anderson Cooper was running for public office in a socially conservative district, his platform should include his stance on social issues. If he claims to be socially conservative and against gay rights- he should be outed.

I wouldn't expect that Anderson Cooper would be taking anti-gay stances, and I suspect neither will Paul Babeu.

CuriousJockAZ said

catfish5 said

If Anderson Cooper was running for public office in a socially conservative district, his platform should include his stance on social issues. If he claims to be socially conservative and against gay rights- he should be outed.

I wouldn't expect that Anderson Cooper would be taking anti-gay stances, and I suspect neither will Paul Babeu.

Anderson cooper isnt running for public office. The GAY sheriff is running for public office which requires him to take a stance on the issues!! Big difference...

catfish5 said

CuriousJockAZ said

catfish5 said

If Anderson Cooper was running for public office in a socially conservative district, his platform should include his stance on social issues. If he claims to be socially conservative and against gay rights- he should be outed.

I wouldn't expect that Anderson Cooper would be taking anti-gay stances, and I suspect neither will Paul Babeu.

Anderson cooper isnt running for public office. The GAY sheriff is running for public office which requires him to take a stance on the issues!! Big difference...

Im not sure why you guys are so opposed to being identified as gay- like its a disease or has some negative connotation attached to it. I just dont get it..

catfish5 said

Anderson cooper isnt running for public office. The GAY sheriff is running for public office which requires him to take a stance on the issues!! Big difference...

Who says Paul Babeu hasn't and/or won't be taking stances on Gay issues? I've already seen several interviews in which he has taken pro-gay stances on a variety of gay issues, so what's your point? Just because someone is a gay Republican and running in a conservative district doesn't necessarily mean that they will be taking anti-gay stances on gay issues -- or that the district is necessarily anti-gay.

catfish5 said

Im not sure why you guys are so opposed to being identified as gay- like its a disease or has some negative connotation attached to it. I just dont get it..

I don't see why someone should have to apologize for wanting to maintain some level of privacy when it comes to their personal life. Being gay does not require that it be worn on one's sleeve or shouted from the rooftops.

CuriousJockAZ said

catfish5 said

Im not sure why you guys are so opposed to being identified as gay- like its a disease or has some negative connotation attached to it. I just dont get it..

I don't see why someone should have to apologize for wanting to maintain some level of privacy when it comes to their personal life. Being gay does not require that it be worn on one's sleeve or shouted from the rooftops.

STR8 people shout it from the rooftops. Unless you think there is something wrong with it, letting people know your gay when they ask where is your wife or GF or do u have children is not shouting anything but being honest.

This is a pretty lowest-common-denominator tactic, but I do like the fact that inistills a sense that there are real consequences to their hypocracy that can and most likely will come back and bite them in the ass (and not the way they secretly like). This is not a particularly tasteful method, and almost borders cruelty, but if some of these fuckwads and future-fuckwads might learn from this site`s existence that their deceit will only end in greater humilation the longer they stick to their charade, and perhaps we get more "rainbows stars" instead of "I was just buying meths", than it is ultimately a beneficial thing.

CuriousJockAZ said

catfish5 said

Im not sure why you guys are so opposed to being identified as gay- like its a disease or has some negative connotation attached to it. I just dont get it..

I don't see why someone should have to apologize for wanting to maintain some level of privacy when it comes to their personal life. Being gay does not require that it be worn on one's sleeve or shouted from the rooftops.

He made a stance under coercion not by his own free will.

Well, I just read that Paul Babeu story...and frankly, I didn't see Paul Babeu as a "gay homophobe." His "outing" on that website seems to be solely related to his support for Arizona's recent anti-immigration bill...and the fact that he's been on Faux news frequently and is a Republican.

I've had a lot of disagreement with many of the Republican gays on this forum...but I think people should realize that being gay does not mean that you are automatically betrothed to the Democratic party or the political left.

Barack Obama, who I do believe deserves to be re-elected, did flip flop on the issue of gay marriage, and is on record most recently as saying he's opposed to it! Granted, that's much less vitriolic than the likes of Gingrich, Santorum or Romney...but still, it's embracing inequality. And his refusal to defend DOMA may work in our favor...but make no mistake...Obama is hedging his bets by not supporting us directly. That's usually the defining characteristic of a "fair weather friend."

Moreover, the story doesn't really get into whether Jose Orozco is in the US illegally or not, aside from it being mentioned briefly just once. If he is, then why shouldn't he be deported? Don't get me wrong...Paul Babeu should be removed from his job if he knew that Orozco was in the US illegally and did nothing about it because he was sleeping with him...but that article is focused exclusively on destroying Babeu. It is no more balanced that Faux news is.

I mean, what does it say about Orozco that he was with this man who was a champion of Arizona's anti-illegal immigration efforts when he himself was allegedly in the USA illegally?

So let's come back to the main point: what do I think of "outing gay homophobes?"

The answer is, I think it's a very slippery slope, and this Babeu case is evidence of that. I think that it has the inevitable propensity to be abused in order to silence the views of closeted LGBT people who happen to identify with conservative values outside of sexual orientation of course.

If that article on Babeu had shown that he was an opponent of gay rights who routinely cracked down on Arizona's gay community, then by all means out him!

But nothing in that article revealed him to be a homophobe...rather, he was a conservative who was still in the closet, and wanted to remain there.

And yet that website still identifies him as a "prominent homophobe?" It's a seedy business meant to silence dissent! It's bullshit!

catfish5 saidletting people know your gay when they ask where is your wife or GF or do u have children is not shouting anything but being honest.

Like I said..."Hiding it" and "Not Announcing it" are two entirely different things

CuriousJockAZ said

catfish5 saidletting people know your gay when they ask where is your wife or GF or do u have children is not shouting anything but being honest.

Like I said..."Hiding it" and "Not Announcing it" are two entirely different things

Do str8 people hide their sexual orientation? Do str8 people not announce their sexual orientation?

catfish5 said
He made a stance under coercion not by his own free will.

Really? Based on what facts? You are either blatantly ignoring what I have told you about Paul Babeu here in AZ, or you're just an idiot. I have seen Paul Babeu out and about for years. I saw him last year (with a date) at the HRC dinner in Scottsdale which, if I'm not mistaken he even spoke at....he was at the 'Trevor Project" event a few weeks ago in downtown Phoenix...He was at the NOH8 photo shoot at the W Hotel a few years ago in Scottsdale to name but a few events that I saw him at -- and I don't even go out that much. So, please, know the facts before you spout a bunch of your hateful crap. Paul Babeu, for the hundredth time, has been OUT for years. It was no big secret in Arizona that he was gay. He wasn't running around with fake girlfriends pretending to be someone he wasn't. NO, he wasn't announcing he's gay to anyone who would listen -- but nor should he have to.

catfish5 saidDo str8 people not announce their sexual orientation?

No, should they have to?

CuriousJockAZ said

catfish5 said
He made a stance under coercion not by his own free will.

Really? Based on what facts? You are either blatantly ignoring what I have told you about Paul Babeu here in AZ, or you're just an idiot. I have seen Paul Babeu out and about for years. I saw him last year (with a date) at the HRC dinner in Scottsdale which, if I'm not mistaken he even spoke at....he was at the 'Trevor Project" event a few weeks ago in downtown Phoenix...He was at the NOH8 photo shoot at the W Hotel a few years ago in Scottsdale to name but a few events that I saw him at -- and I don't even go out that much. So, please, know the facts before you spout a bunch of your hateful crap. Paul Babeu, for the hundredth time, has been OUT for years. It was no big secret in Arizona that he was gay. NO, he wasn't announcing it to anyone who would listen -- but nor should he have to.

Awesome. Hes out and proud and shouting it from the roof tops. BIG GAY sheriff should have nothing to worry about and will be elected overwhelmingly in his socially conservative district....

Only in your wildest delusions.

The self loathing entitled homophobe was caught. Justice served!! Amen

CuriousJockAZ said

uoft23 saidI don't know how I feel. I mean, stopping them from promoting homophobia is great and all, but looking at that website I got a bit of a sick feeling in my stomach. Its kind of like stooping to their level I suppose.

I agree with you, but I know exactly how I feel. The practice of "outing" people to me just wreaks of vindictive, spiteful, mean-spirited and so much more. I get that gays seem to think they can justify this practice for all sorts of reasons, but it's still stooping to a level that I think no one should feel good about.

In the case of Paul Babeu, it's a prime example of gays getting their claws out and attacking before they know all the facts. Paul Babeu has not been in the closet for years...it was no secret here in AZ that he was gay, though probably not "public knowledge", nor did it need to be. Does NOT make him anti-gay or a homophobe whatsoever.

Thank you.. Im glad someone here has the same views as i do..
getting back by outing other guys is truly evil..

Branden81 said

socalfitness said

Squintz saidI don't agree with outing anybody for any reason at all.

If the homophobe wants to be in the closet, let him. I'm pretty sure that living a lie is torturous enough. Eventually they'll choose one of 2 paths:
1) They'll come to their senses and start to support their own community.
2) They'll die alone.

Either or... it's not our duty to out them, nor is it our job to see them punished.

Well said.

If you are just an average Joe and you want to be a homophobe, who cares? But if you are an elected official and you are voting against equal rights for gays and aligning yourself with colleagues who are virulently homophobic I don't see how anyone can sit back and say that we don't have the right to point out the hypocrisy. Like I said before, if you want to be a closeted homophobe then don't run for public office. Once you choose to do that you put yourself out there for scrutiny. Now I don't know enough about this sheriff yo give an informed opinion, but you are trying to tell me that if someone discovered that Rick Santorum was sleeping with men you would feel the same way?

Granted, I only read the article attached to that website...but where are you getting that he was a homophobe? When EXACTLY did he vote against equal rights for gays?

From what I gathered from that article, he was outed not because he was homophobic...he was outed because he's conservative!

And sorry...but that is WRONG!

CuriousJockAZ said

catfish5 saidDo str8 people not announce their sexual orientation?

No, should they have to?

Str8s announce it daily. Gays shouldnt have to live any different.

People like you are content on being second class citizens. Fortunately, most gays are not!

catfish5 said

CuriousJockAZ said

catfish5 said
He made a stance under coercion not by his own free will.

Really? Based on what facts? You are either blatantly ignoring what I have told you about Paul Babeu here in AZ, or you're just an idiot. I have seen Paul Babeu out and about for years. I saw him last year (with a date) at the HRC dinner in Scottsdale which, if I'm not mistaken he even spoke at....he was at the 'Trevor Project" event a few weeks ago in downtown Phoenix...He was at the NOH8 photo shoot at the W Hotel a few years ago in Scottsdale to name but a few events that I saw him at -- and I don't even go out that much. So, please, know the facts before you spout a bunch of your hateful crap. Paul Babeu, for the hundredth time, has been OUT for years. It was no big secret in Arizona that he was gay. NO, he wasn't announcing it to anyone who would listen -- but nor should he have to.

Awesome. Hes out and proud and shouting it from the roof tops. BIG GAY sheriff should have nothing to worry about and will be elected overwhelmingly in his socially conservative district....

Only in your wildest delusions.

The self loathing entitled homophobe was caught. Justice served!! Amen

You're either a troll (which is likely), or you just can't admit when you're wrong.

CuriousJockAZ has pwned your ass! ROFL!

TrentGrad said

catfish5 said

CuriousJockAZ said

catfish5 said
He made a stance under coercion not by his own free will.

Really? Based on what facts? You are either blatantly ignoring what I have told you about Paul Babeu here in AZ, or you're just an idiot. I have seen Paul Babeu out and about for years. I saw him last year (with a date) at the HRC dinner in Scottsdale which, if I'm not mistaken he even spoke at....he was at the 'Trevor Project" event a few weeks ago in downtown Phoenix...He was at the NOH8 photo shoot at the W Hotel a few years ago in Scottsdale to name but a few events that I saw him at -- and I don't even go out that much. So, please, know the facts before you spout a bunch of your hateful crap. Paul Babeu, for the hundredth time, has been OUT for years. It was no big secret in Arizona that he was gay. NO, he wasn't announcing it to anyone who would listen -- but nor should he have to.

Awesome. Hes out and proud and shouting it from the roof tops. BIG GAY sheriff should have nothing to worry about and will be elected overwhelmingly in his socially conservative district....

Only in your wildest delusions.

The self loathing entitled homophobe was caught. Justice served!! Amen

You're either a troll (which is likely), or you just can't admit when you're wrong.

CuriousJockAZ has pwned your ass! ROFL!

Really? And this is coming from someone with no pics in their profile? Post a face pic and then we will talk

TrentGrad said
From what I gathered from that article, he was outed not because he was homophobic...he was outed because he's conservative!

And sorry...but that is WRONG!

EXACTLY! What is even more disturbing is that here we have this gay man, running in a conservative district within the GOP who, if elected, would actually be an advocate for gay issues....and what do many gays do? Throw him under the bus, on the basis of no real facts other than the words of an alleged illegal alien ex-boyfriend with an ax to grind who, at the time the story was leaked via a sleazy tabloid-type local rag, would neither give his name or show his face.

CuriousJockAZ said

TrentGrad said
From what I gathered from that article, he was outed not because he was homophobic...he was outed because he's conservative!

And sorry...but that is WRONG!

EXACTLY! What is even more disturbing is that here we have this gay man, running in a conservative district within the GOP who, if elected, would actually be an advocate for gay issues....and what do many gays do? Throw him under the bus, on the basis of no real facts other than the words of an alleged illegal alien ex-boyfriend with an ax to grind who, at the time the story was leaked via a sleazy tabloid-type local rag, would neither give his name or show his face.

He can only get elected if he hides the fact hes gay. Thats not helping the gay cause. Hes a big gay joke

catfish5 said
Awesome. Hes out and proud and shouting it from the roof tops.

I will thank you to NOT put words in my mouth. I did not say he was "shouting it from the rooftops". In fact, I didn't even think it. What I said was that HE SHOULD NOT HAVE TO SHOUT IT FROM THE ROOFTOPS. Just because someone is gay does NOT mean they are required to wear it on their sleeve. One can be "out" without being O-U-T. Not broadcasting one's own sexuality isn't necessarily hiding it -- it's keeping some things private to people who generally don't need to know. Why is this such a hard concept for some to grasp?

CuriousJockAZ said

catfish5 said
Awesome. Hes out and proud and shouting it from the roof tops.

I will thank you to NOT put words in my mouth. I did not say he was "shouting it from the rooftops". In fact, I didn't even think it. What I said was that HE SHOULD NOT HAVE TO SHOUT IT FROM THE ROOFTOPS. Just because someone is gay does NOT mean they are required to wear it on their sleeve.

He is shouting it from the rooftops. Saw him on CNN saying im gay lol