|
EARTHA JANE MELZE
Friday, September 30, 2005
Shortly after the public learned on Sept. 28 that House Majority Leader Tom DeLay had been indicted for allegedly violating campaign finance laws, initial media reports suggested that his replacement would be Congressman David Dreier, who has refused to answer questions about his sexual orientation.
DeLay (R-Texas) announced Wednesday that he would temporarily step down from his post as majority leader, in accordance with House rules. Within hours, the Washington Post and other media outlets cited unnamed House Republicans to report that House Speaker Dennis Hastert has already selected Dreier, chair of the powerful House Rules Committee, to replace DeLay.
Dreier, now in his 13th term, has voted against most pro-gay legislation, though last year he opposed the Federal Marriage Amendment, which would have prohibited states from enacting gay marriage laws.
Last September, LA Weekly reported that Dreier has lived with his chief of staff, Brad Smith, and speculated that both men are gay and possibly a couple.
During an interview with gay journalist Michelangelo Signorile at the 2004 Republican National Convention, Dreier refused to say whether he is heterosexual, fueling longstanding rumors that Dreier is gay.
With media coverage focusing on Dreier, a number of gay bloggers and groups posted items questioning his sexual orientation in direct or indirect ways.
The Stonewall Democrats, a gay partisan group, issued a press release calling on Dreier “to be honest” and “openly discuss” his legislative agenda and whether he would allow the FMA to again come up for a House vote.
By late afternoon Wednesday, Hastert announced that Rep. Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) — not Dreier — would take over Delay’s leadership role and that Dreier and Rep. Eric Cantor (R-Va.) would share some of the responsibilities of majority leader.
Several prominent gay bloggers quickly speculated that the withdrawal of Dreier’s name for the top spot was related to the rumors of his sexual orientation.
The National Stonewall Democrats issued a second statement, criticizing Blunt as “flamboyantly out” in his opposition to gay rights and claiming Dreier was pulled from the position “after much speculation over [his] record.”
Asked to explain the coy language, the NSD’s John Marble said that when Dreier’s name was floated, there was a “moment of hope” that Republicans might head in a more moderate direction on social issues.
Now that Blunt will occupy the top spot, Marble said, “We know the Congress will continue the anti-gay tact of DeLay, and very well may take it a step to the right.”
The Log Cabin Republicans did not issue any public statements as of press time on Wednesday night.
|
