Up until now, I've posted excerpts, and humorous re-enactments of the Senator Larry Craig (R-Who'd have guessed?) arrest story. It's time for a little commentary.
Most of the pundits and talk-show hosts have squeamishly danced around this issue. They seem shocked that this sort of behavior occurs. They wrongly allude to the "fact" that this is gay behavior. They try to draw comparisons to invalid other scandals, such as Bill Clinton's affair.
Look, here it is, plain and simple. The sort of people that engage in this specific type of behavior tend to be men who do not consider themselves "gay." They're usually married, often have children, and can also be prominent members of society. They just have these urges they don't know what to do with. So, what to do?
They seek anonymous sex, in parks, rest stops, dirty book stores, the gym, and yes public restrooms. The reason should be obvious. Other men in similar circumstances, are also there, and in the case of restrooms, and gyms (and often dirty book stores) are partially or totally naked. Anybody who has ever dated, or looked for a quickie hook-up knows that there are signals and signs that the other person is interested. Once the fish is on the hook, nature takes its course.
Yes, other people exhibit this behavior. Exhibitionists would be one group. Sex addicts too. Even some out gay men are in for the illicit thrill of snagging a "straight" guy. But this is not exclusively a gay thing, it's just that segregated restrooms offer more opportunity for men seeking men. The bushes in the park ensnare all kinds. I can't explain George Michael.
In the case of Sen. Craig, my feeling is that it is the closet that is the problem. He's probably invested a lot of time and energy constructing a heterosexual life. He doesn't see himself as "Jack" on Will & Grace, or "Will" either. So he thinks he's NOT GAY! HE NEVER HAS BEEN GAY! He's fooled himself into thinking his compartmentalized sexual urges are separate from his sexuality. As long as prominent people think there is something wrong with homosexuality, this sort of behavior will continue.
Just my two cents.
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