USA: New documentary film explores the public and private lives of allegedly closeted gay politicans

Record ID: 278390

  • Title: USA: New documentary film explores the public and private lives of allegedly closeted gay politicans
  • Date: 26th April 2009
  • Summary: NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK, UNITED STATES (APRIL 23, 2009) (REUTERS) (SOUNDBITE) (English) "OUTRAGE" DIRECTOR KIRBY DICK, SAYING: "Well, I am straight, but I do have an axe to grind, and I think everyone, straight or gay, should have an axe to grind about a human rights issue that is as important as what we're talking about. It's like, if you look back at the civil rights er
  • Embargoed: 11th May 2009 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Usa
  • Country: USA
  • Topics: Domestic Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVACNYDBCC76D5Z1FTHHDN5MONUW
  • Story Text: "Outrage," a new documentary film on allegedly gay politicians living in the closet claims to "out" three prominent civil servants, premieres in New York City.

    "Outrage," A new documentary film about alleged gay politicians with anti-gay voting records premieres this weekend as part of the Tribeca Film Festival in New York City. The film could carry political implications as it claims certain prominent government officials are homosexuals living double lives as straight men to curry favor with the voting public.
    In the film, Academy Award nominated director Kirby Dick names as closeted gay politicians Republican Governor of Florida and 2012 Republican presidential nominee front-runner Charlie Crist, former Idaho Senator Larry Craig and former New York City Mayor Ed Koch.
    Dick says that his intention with "Outrage" was to reveal what he believes to be the hypocrisy of closeted gay politicians who vote against the gay community in order to stay in office. He also wanted to bring this issue to light, as it is a topic not often covered in the mainstream press.

    "My hope is that by shedding light on the closet, that it will help change the way politicians themselves act," says Dick.
    "I am hopeful by talking about the closet, that politicians to be will see that that is the wrong decision to make, both personally, and also in terms of their political career, and that we are entering a time where politicians can run as "out," whether it's Republican or Democrat, and win."
    The film is comprised of interviews with several sources claiming proof that Crist, Koch, and Craig are gay men, but also highlights the stories of other prominent politicians and political insiders that live out in the open as homosexual. Openly gay members of the United States Congress Barney Frank and Tammy Baldwin participated in "Outrage," and former New Jersey Governor Jim McGreevey and his ex-wife Dina Matos are profiled as well.
    McGreevey stepped down from his post in 2006 after his very public revelation that he was gay and had an affair with a male staffer.
    As for the allegations about the governor of Florida, the filmmaker relies on interviews with various sources who claim to have met two of Crist's former sexual partners. The film also contains an interview with a man who claims that he had a sexual encounter with Larry Craig many years ago in Washington D.C. Craig, whose June 2007 arrest at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport on suspicion of lewd conduct in a men's restroom became a national scandal, resigned later that year, but maintains he committed no wrongdoing. Both Crist and Craig's extensive ant-gay voting records are criticized in the film.

    "Outrage" took more than two years to complete, most of which was spent verifying sources and cross-referencing accounts. As for legal concerns, Dick has none -- according to him, everything in the film is factually accurate.

    "If they decide to legally come after me, that will become as big a story as the film, and all it will do is help ticket sales," says Dick.
    "And I know in this country, A -- what I said is true, and B, I have a right to say it, so I am not concerned."

    "Outrage" premieres as part of the 2009 Tribeca Film Festival on April 24 and opens in a limited release on May 8.
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