No More Shame

I'm not sure but I guess it's normal for minorities to want role models. I don't like the word and have stayed away from essays or discussions where people keep insisting that I should have a role model. So, I'm not surprised that gay folks want their own role models and threaten to out them if they dare to live in the closet. In a recent article in Out magazine, Michael Musto's article The Glass Closet talks about gays we know are gay but continue to avoid the question. And I say, so what? Don't get me wrong, I would like it if Jody Foster came out but the fact that she she lives a quiet life makes her a role model to me. But I will offer this caveat, I am all for outing a closeted elected official whose votes scream anti-gay.

So, this brings me to the governor turned gay icon. I remember the day Jim McGreevey came out as a gay American. It was a Friday afternoon and I was in my car listening to talk radio when I happened to turn the dial to a news station. When he said the words I wanted to throw up in my car but thought it best not to mess up my clean car. I was furious and very disappointed in the back slapping that ensued shorthly thereafter that Governor McGreevey was one of us. I didn't welcome him with open arms then and I sure as hell don't now.

But, if I thought I had heard and seen it all before I'm once again surprised at McGreevey's arrogance and total disregard for anything moral. And unfortunately we live in a society where people like McGreevey is exempt from shame. He like many others are allowed to continue on a path that says it's ok to make a mockery of marriage vows, engage in indiscriminate sex in the backrooms of bookstores and lie to your constitutents while using their hard earned money by using state troopers to take you on trysts. But instead of holding McGreevey accountable for his horrid behavior we offer him a book deal, parade him on Oprah Winfrey where he talks about his "religion" and how hard it was to hide his orientation. And on top of it he wants custody of his daughter. Does anyone else see a problem here but me?

But the two most recent episodes in McGreevey's life are the real slap in the face of decent behavior. This article by Jonah Goldberg makes my point. It's an old article but it supports my point. And here is McGreevey getting paid for his pain as a gay American. I love the quote from Senator Lesniak, "He has a lot to offer. I wouldn't mind going to the class myself if I were a student." You gotta love it, McGreevey teaching ethics. But here is the real kicker folks. And who will he minster to, little boys? And we wonder why our society is so screwed up. So much for psychological tests.