Rep. Aaron Schock: Questions About His Sexuality Are "Inappropriate And Ridiculous"
By Samantha Abernethy in News on Sep 4, 2012 8:30PM
Rep. Aaron Schock (R-IL) walked away from an interview when he was asked to address the forever-swirling rumors that the congressman is gay. Schock said questions of his sexual orientation and how it relates to his voting record are "inappropriate and ridiculous" and not "worthy of further response." Huffington Post blogger Michelangelo Signorile writes:
Asked on the floor of the RNC in an interview for my SiriusXM OutQ radio program to respond to those who’ve believed that Schock is gay and also view his vote against “don’t ask, don’t tell” repeal as a vote against members of his own group, Schock responded, “Those questions are completely ridiculous and inappropriate.” He added, when asked if he is confirming that he is not gay, “I’ve said that before and I don’t think it’s worthy of further response. I think you can look it up.” Schock then walked off, abruptly ending the interview.
As gay blog Towleroad points out, "many of the gay rumors surrounding Schock seem to be tied to his obsessive attention to his body." Well, they sure aren't tied to his voting record.
The very handsome congressman has wicked abs and often discusses his workout regimen. Schock was even accused of misusing campaign funds on a P90X program. Some outlets throw out the term "metrosexual" when referring to Schock. Queerty went so far as to call him a "GOP Beefcake." When he wore white jeans to a picnic, Gawker jumped at the chance to question Schock's orientation, and last week TMZ asked Schock to discuss Rep. Paul Ryan's (R-WI) clothing choices while the congressman walked past a rainbow flag in Tampa.
Are these questions unfair? Are these judgments of Schock based on reinforcing gay stereotypes? Queerty writes:
Rumors have been buzzing about Schock since he took office in 2009—and blew up when he sported white jeans, a pink gingham shirt and teal belt to a White House picnic in 2010. Normally we’d say it’s offensive to assume anything about a man’s sexuality by the color of his belt. But Schock supports DOMA and opposed the repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell—given how many anti-gay Republicans turn out to be closet cases, we’d have to say it’s a reasonable line of questioning.
If Schock is homosexual, he wouldn't be the first gay Republican, and he certainly wouldn't be the last. In fact the Homocon party at the RNC in Tampa looks like it was a lot of fun. Schock's sexual orientation is merely a question to distract from the real issue: He's not the only heterosexual or homosexual person voting against gay rights.