Another reason to be happy I left the hill...

If legislation and the demographics of their supporters weren’t enough verification, congressmen want to verify further that they are not down with the gay, ok? TheHill.com asked Representatives who they thought was the most attractive presidential candidate, and a good chunk gave homophobic answers and/or defaulted to Clinton, because straight dudes can not gauge masculine beauty for some frivolous survey. To quote Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr:

“I don’t know. Because I’m a serious heterosexual I would have to say Hillary — who else would I say?”

A serious heterosexual? A diehard heterosexual? Not an amateur, hobbyist, or one who only dabbles in being heterosexual? Most of these comments came from Democrats, and Jackson's shows the pressure to upkeep hetero masculinity for black voters, but "a serious heterosexual?" Who says that, other than insecure frat boys and others who feel they have to prove something?

Homophobia in the black community aside, we can’t overlook the rush to reinforce heteronormative declarations post-Foley/Craig scandals. We have all responded to their downfalls with amusement, whom can not help but revel in the irony of it all, and how it is helping to bring the conservative movement and the GOP to its knees just in time for a presidential election? For many of us, it is a long awaited exposure of the right’s hypocrisy, but some hold pity for these men. To be in power and with their party and voting base, they denied themselves and felt compelled to live double lives.

But the media and the collective public does not talk about issues of coming out and the overwhelming pressure for many to stay in. Foley and Craig colleagues immediately remove themselves from their fellow Republicans, not because of corruption, but trying to stay in the club while seeking some type of personal satisfaction. They are instead reduced to the plague and a running joke, and exploited to benefit from society's disgust and ignorance of all things not hetero. Their attempts to save face only mocked further as they try to prove their straightness to a world that rejects their gayness. Truly, it is a dark time in their lives, and I hope at some point they find peace.

Most gays would say fuck them, they don’t deserve sympathy for betraying us and using people’s hatred for us for political benefit. And I have to agree: if one is too scared to be honest about their sexuality, then they choose to live a life of the privileges of being straight, but ultimately a lie. You choose not to be brave and true to yourself. But there is something we can do.

Since I have gotten here, I have heard so many cheap shots at gay congressmen. It is used as an easy laugh in mixed company, by older people to appear “hip” in front of young people, or by dudes at a party. There are the jokes that embrace the irony of it all, and then there are the ones with the intent to confirm that gay is weird, gross, and a cultural crime. Craig and Foley become a safe avenue to express homophobic attitudes, and we are in a position to recognize and address them as we would normally, despite whether they are traitors or cowards.

If we do not, then it will continue to be permissible for our elected officials to publicly disrespect the gay community, and feel obligated to make these ignorant statements. Besides, we all know Clinton is not the hottest candidate in the bunch, so why should they feel restricted to gender? It is only keeping us all from aesthetical integrity!