Schocking Hypocrisy

Most people have probably never heard of Rep. Aaron Schock (R-IL), but recently he’s been receiving both love and contempt from the gay community and the liberal media.
 
Before we begin, the Editorial Board must get a few things straight.

Schock, who represents the 18th Congressional District of Illinois, is gorgeous.
We’re talking about a ripped body that was featured on the cover of Men’s Health magazine. And with perfectly combed hair and a fashion sense that makes J.Crew models jealous, we can’t ignore Schock’s genetic talent.

Unfortunately, Congressman Schock has one glaring flaw — he’s one of the most homophobic Representatives in the U.S. House. Schock has voted against the repeal of the military’s “don’t ask don’t tell” policy, doesn’t support the overturning of the Defense of Marriage Act and has advocated for a federal ban on gay marriage.

Recently, the Congressman has faced a particularly large influx of rumors about his sexuality.

Schock, who is not married and not currently dating anyone, has become a target of openly gay journalist Itay Hod. Hod claims that Schock was caught showering with his male friend. Yet these claims have not been confirmed at this time.

We at the Editorial Board hold our field in a very high regard. And we feel it’s the duty of journalists to make claims that they can back up with evidence. These unsubstantiated claims discredit journalists and journalism as a profession.

Still, Hod’s claims have reignited a debate in the gay community on the ethical perimeters of outing closeted conservative politicians, especially when they hold such anti-gay voting records such as the one Congressman Schock holds.

In 2011 Indiana state Representative Phil Hinkle, a conservative anti-gay politician who voted in favor of Indiana’s proposed ban on same-sex marriage,  ended his own career when it was revealed Hinkle had solicited a young man on Craigslist and offered him up to $140 if the young man showed Hinkle “a really good time.”

The revelation was supported by emails obtained by the Indianapolis Star. And just like that, a hypocritical politician that did his part to deny people like him their rights was ousted from the Statehouse.

We don’t know if Congressman Schock is gay or straight. We don’t know if he showers with his friends for fun or to conserve water. And, unfortunately, Hod has not presented any concrete evidence to prove anything. Instead, Hod has used arguably offensive stereotypes about gay men to back up his claims about Schock’s sexual orientation.

If Schock is in fact gay and continues his despicable voting record against the LGBT community, then Congressman Shock deserves whatever public shaming may come from denying rights to a group he may actually belong to.

But until a smoking gun, such as the one that ended Hinkle’s career, can be presented, rumors will be just that — rumors.

We believe that Congressman Schock, gay or straight, should be able to expect that journalists will use facts when accusing him of something. Hod has not done that.

But when someone does, the media will no doubt be ready.

Because no one likes a hypocrite, even if they look impeccable.

­— Follow the Editorial Board on Twitter @IDS_Opinion.