Thursday, August 04, 2011

It's not a good idea for Armstrong Williams to criticize homosexuality

Armstrong Williams
I could hardly believe it when I read about this unbelievable degree of audacity coming from conservative columnist Armstrong Williams:
People naturally chafe under rules and customs that limit their choices. We all want immediate gratification. But moral wisdom teaches us restraint. The essential choices we call virtues were distilled over centuries of trial and error – from the time when homo-sapiens were not even aware of the biological processes of reproduction, through the Roman times when polygamy was the norm. Homosexuality was ultimately shunned because of its effects upon the social structure, when, in ancient Greece men's passion for boys became a distraction that weakened the state from within. It is interesting to note that among meditations of the Roman ruler and philosopher Marcus Aurelius is a passage praising his father for overcoming his love of boys.

Williams was commenting on a favorite issue for so many conservatives, i.e. the so-called destruction of American morality. His column is a rambling piece of nonsense which manages to criticize Islam, Rupert Murdoch, Jesse Jackson, the media, Catholic priests, and of course homosexuality.

What strikes me as blatant audacity by Williams is the fact that he would actually have the nerve to criticize homosexuality seeing that he was sued in 1997  for sexual harassment by his male trainer, Stephen Gregory:

Gregory alleges in a suit filed a year ago that Williams repeatedly kissed him on the mouth, grabbed his buttocks and genitals, and climbed into bed with him on business trips. After rebuffing Williams, Gregory charges, the talk- show host retaliated by docking his pay and ultimately firing him.

Gregory went into more details as to the alleged incidents in a 1997 edition of Washington City Paper:

According to Gregory's complaint, Williams became more and more affectionate during these hotel stays and at work. Though he can't remember exactly when, Gregory alleges that Williams began to touch him more often—pats on the shoulder, gentle hugs, slaps on the butt—in the middle part of 1995. "It felt strange, but it was very subtle at first," Gregory says. "I just tried to ignore it; like, 'Oh, that's just him.'"

But it got worse, according to Gregory. After their workouts at the Y, Gregory would drive Williams to work. He says Williams would often rest his hand on Gregory's knee during these short drives.

Williams was allegedly even more aggressive when traveling. In the summer of 1995, according to the lawsuit, Williams tried to climb into bed with Gregory one night when they were staying at the Drake Hotel in New York. It was the first of "numerous occasions" in 1995 and early '96 when Williams did so, Gregory says.

The article, by the way, is a serious barn burner which not only talks about Williams but other DC notables.

Of course Williams denied all charges, but later settled out of court. Why? According to political journalist Doug Ireland, Gregory allegedly produces affidavits from other men who supposedly Williams had, shall we say, shown interest in.

And it gets more interesting. David Brock, openly gay former conservative journalist and founder of Media Matters,  made a claim about Williams in his book Blinded by the Right. Brock said that:

Williams once made a pass at him in Williams' apartment, allegedly asking Brock if he was "dominant or submissive in bed."

Please bear in mind that I am not outright calling Williams gay because I don't know. These things I mentioned, however, are facts.  And they are facts which Williams probably should have kept in mind before making the comments he did about homosexuality.

He should have known that someone reading his column would resurrect them.


Hat tip to Right-Wing Watch.


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Truth Wins Out exposes another phony ex-gay activist and other Thursday midday news briefs

TWO Special Report: Meet Janet Boynes, The Bachmann Family’s ‘Ex-Gay’ Minister - Pay attention wannabe gay activists. THIS is how you take the fight to the religious right. Truth Wins Out reveals the schizophrenic world of lies of yet another "ex-gay" minister with unapologetic accuracy.

Bachmann, Romney, Santorum Promise "Presidential Commission To Investigate Harassment Of Traditional Marriage Supporters" - Of course it were about signing a pledge to protect the gay community from harassment, these folks would claim that "it's not needed."

Citing new research, psychology group supports gay marriage - Not bad, APA.

Obama Administration Gives States More Money For AIDS Drug Funding - While I am not happy with everything President Obama does, I sometimes wonder why some of our progressive leaders feel the need to bury positive news. I heard about this from very few progressive sites. They must have been busy with their "Obama is the devil" bitchfest.

Same-sex households skyrocket in Illinois - That ought to piss off NOM.

New York Times Publishes Glowing Tribute To Anti-Gay Hate Group - What the hell is the New York Times smoking?



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Home Depot marches in a gay pride parade. Oh the horror!

For the longest time, Home Depot has been attacked by the religious right for its support of the the lgbtq community. And now, thanks to a video pilfered from someone else, the American Family Association has obtained "stunning footage" of the organization's float in the recent San Francisco gay pride parade:



Someone hide the children (sarcasm alert).

Hat tip to Jeremy Hooper

Related post - Home Depot attacked for supporting THE GAYS



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