Last week's National Enquirer put Condoleezza Rice on the cover, as part of a story titled "Who's Gay and Who's Not?" This London Times piece classes the Condi story with "the steady flow of salacious and often thinly sourced sex-related stories" that it sees in American media. In some cases -- Rudy Giuliani using public funds to pay for his protection while visiting his girlfriend--it seems like you can make a case for this kind of information (or speculation) entering the public sphere. But the Condi Rice issue, well, I'm not sure why it's anyone's business. If she is gay and is part of an administration whose policies have been hostile to gay Americans, does that make her a hypocrite? Doesn't she have the right to be a hypocrite if it is part of preserving her privacy? Do other lesbians feel betrayed that she doesn't use her influence and her standing to make lesbianism more acceptable? It seems complicated, as does the Idaho Statesman's ongoing investigation of Larry Craig, which has now turned up many more men claiming to have had sex with Craig. Craig continues to deny the accusations, which makes him look increasingly foolish, but again, should sexual orientation even be part of the discussion?
Reader Comments ( Page 1 of 2)
1. I do not recall any instances where Ms. Rice spoke or acted in any way at odds with her PRIVATE life. That she is a member of a political party whose policies are at odds with the actions of some of its influential members is beside the point. Please let me know if my poor memory makes this comment incorrect.
alan at 1:45PM on Dec 4th 2007
2. Should sexual orientation be part of the discussion, you ask?
Of course it shouldn't, but let's be clear - it is the Republican party establishment that MADE sexual orientation the issue. Look, I don't believe most elected Republicans give a hoot about who is gay or not, but it is about winning votes and keeping power. As long as they know a small portion of the GOP finds being gay immoral, they will say and do what they have to - include villifying gays, and support draconian anti-gay legislation.
That is why when a gay sex scandal breaks in the GOP, they fall harder. Larry Craig's political career is over - why? Is he a hypocrite? A sleaze perhaps? Sure, but those are a dime a dozen in Washington. He did not commit a felony.
I have no idea whether Condi Rice is a lesbian or not, and I do not care. The Republican party needs to re-think their stance on gays and learn to be more "compassionate" as they like to claim they are.
David S. at 4:01PM on Dec 4th 2007
3. get a life , people, who cares
shamsi at 4:49PM on Dec 4th 2007
4. Greenman, you're an idiot! Just like the rest of you liberal idiots, you like to spew out inaccurate information in hopes that at least one other fool will believe it. You jerks can never respond, in truth anyway, to a legimate question. Let's see if you can prove me wrong. You state that the current administration policies "have been hostile to gay Americans". Can you provide any facts or evidence to support this allegation? I didn't think so....
M. Stephens at 5:10PM on Dec 4th 2007
5. It matters is she's gay because that information can be used against her in untold ways by foreign governments and other power brokers to gain what they want from the U.S. government. If she is gay, and unwilling to be open about a lifestyle that is an aberration in the opinion of many Republicans and Christians, she is disingenuous, and open to blackmail.
lou at 6:13PM on Dec 4th 2007
6. ""administration whose policies have been hostile to gay Americans"..
OK Ben, just because Bush doesn't hang out with intoxicated gay men dressed like nuns doesn't make him hostile towards gay Amaericans.
Willet at 6:13PM on Dec 4th 2007
7. Im just very glad that Condi has someone to share her life with. She seems a lonely gal with much to offer and she plays the pianer too, dont she?
And the fact that she is on Bush's side.... makes me tingle and giggle : )
angel at 6:13PM on Dec 4th 2007
8. As gay member of American society whose rights have been trampled upon by the Bush Administration, Condalezza Rice being a homosexual would disturb me greatly as it did when I found out that Cheney's daughter, who was his campaign manager, is a lesbian.
People in positions of power who are members of oprressed minorities who sell out other similar people for their own material and egoistic desires disgust me. I would find this woman loathesome and souless if this is the case. She would be in te same category as Senator Craig.
nrthdude1 at 7:07PM on Dec 4th 2007
9. I don't care if she's a lesbian or not. She's still accessory to crimes against humanity!
Alaras at 7:59PM on Dec 4th 2007
10. I doubt that Lesbians in the US feel betrayed by Condi being a Lesbian....if she is one. They sure didn't take any stand during either of the Bush elections when it was stated that Cheney's daughter is a Lesbian - knowing the Bush Administration's feelings on homosexuality. Nothing said about her having a baby with her Lesbian partner. It would just be parr for the course that one more Republican that fights tooth and nail to deny the rights of Gays and Lesbians in the United States of America and to fight legislation against Hate Crimes against Gays and Lesbians - was a CLOSET CASE! I'm beginning to wonder if there are any politicians in the Republican Party that aren't GAY and CLOSETED! It's always the ones who protest the loudest - that seem to be the ones that are being OUTED! Isn't that interesting?!?!?!
Dan at 10:09PM on Dec 4th 2007
11. More low life press comments. Everyone who is single is a fag per the press. When will the press get respect - they will never get mine.
Mike at 10:20PM on Dec 4th 2007
12. Why do gay people whine about their rights? Havn't you gotten enough? I don't care, I just don't want it shoved in my face. Can't we just keep things that we don't want our children to see, private?
flaguy at 11:01PM on Dec 4th 2007
13. It is unfair to speculate and gossip about the lady's sex life. Besides I heard she munches muffin with Laura Bush while George watches and eats popcorn.
Randy Lake at 12:50AM on Dec 5th 2007
14. I voted that it DID matter whether she was GAY purely as, if she has to live a lie to exist in this phony phony American world how bad is that? Cheney in denial and his daughter a parent by donor but we have to advocate man/woman relationship for Gods sake?.....get real and get up to date America ....too much phony, phony, phony in all you do and say.....what a reputation to develop?
Patrick Lockyer at 8:54AM on Dec 5th 2007
15. Who cares whether this woman is gay or not. That is her business, her life!
This is not the issue with Ms. Rice, the issue is that she is part of the most incompetent and corrupt administration EVER!! They talk out of both sides of their mouths at every turn!
Patty at 12:33PM on Dec 5th 2007