Outrage!!!

Last night, HBO debuted a new documentary by Kirby Dick titled "Outrage", a very compelling look at closeted politicians who vote against gay rights despite their own lifestyle. It begins with a recording of the officer who busted the now infamous Larry Craig in the Men's Room at the Minneapolis airport questioning the senator about his intentions in that bathroom. A historical look at Craig behind the scenes follows including a personal account from a man that Craig picked up at a bar in DC back in the 80's. The man explains that Craig took him back to his mansion, they did the deed and then Craig stuck a $20 bill in the man's back pocket and said, "You've never heard of me, you've never seen me and I can buy and sell you 100 times over." Classy.

The film continues to out more politicians, some well known like Mark Foley and Jim McGreevey and others not-so-well known. The biggest surprise to me was the revelation that former New York mayor and Grandpa Munster lookalike Ed Koch had a long standing affair with a young man who was later scorned by the Mayor in favor of his political life, thus a running theme of the movie.

Charlie Crist, current Governor of Florida, was also outed. Known in the media for being a very eligible bachelor, Crist couldn't seem to hold down a relationship with a woman to save his life, though he really tried. He had a high profile relationship with a woman in the middle of this decade and they split up in 2007. She was questioned by the media about his rumored lifestyle while she was still in a relationship with the Governor. She said it was bogus. When reached for comment by Dick for this film her comment was, "I think it's best that I keep my mouth shut. Call me in ten years and I will tell you a story." A year later when John McCain was running for the presidency, Crist publically campaigned for McCain and rumors were that Crist was on McCain's shortlist for his VP pick. Shortly afterward, Crist got engaged to a woman he'd only known for a few months. I guess it would be better politically if your VP pick was married so that his sexuality wouldn't be a question during the campaign. Alas, Palin was picked and Crist still married though I'm sure he felt a little burnt.

But perhaps most head shaking is the story of Lousiana Congressman Jim McCrery who came up a gay, atheist liberal. When Washington came calling and promised him a powerful career, he jumped parties, joined the church, got married to a woman who wears mom jeans and procreated! That would be like Nathan Lane turning into Mel Gibson overnight.

Also outed were congressmen David Dreier, Bush cronie Ken Melman (who did a lot of Bush's dirty work during the 2004 election to help push forward the anti-gay marriage agenda) and Shepard Smith from Fox News (!!!).

Ultimately, the documentary focused on the hypocrisy of these lousy individuals and how they are not only letting themselves down but are also hurting a large minority of people in the process due to their own greediness and lust for power. It's shameful. On the other side of the token, several out and proud politicians were interviewed such as Ed Koble and Barney Frank and they spoke of how it was the best decision they've ever made to come out and how it made them feel like better politicians and better people for doing so. Koble, a Republican, stated that it felt like 40 years of burden was lifted off his shoulders. There was footage of him speaking before Congress after he came out telling those that oppose gay rights that they are ruining lives and that the constitutional right to marriage being for a man and a woman is the only amendment in the constitution that is oppressive. It should be changed for the greater good. Couldn't agree more.

If you don't have HBO, I'm sure this will hit DVD soon. It's definitely worth checking out. No matter what side of the fence you are on, it's a heavily thought provoking film. Hopefully it can change the image of this situation and give people the rights they deserve while also shedding light on some rampant government hypocrisy.