Letter to the Editor

Homophobia: the fear of being the same

To the Editor,

In a recently published issue, The Leader printed an editorial regarding the case of Idaho Senator Larry Craig, who recently gained media attention after he was arrested during a police sting operation in a Minneapolis Airport restroom. During the initial arrest Craig pleaded guilty after supposedly making advances towards an undercover police officer through a series of signals. Recently, though, Craig is attempting to have his plea of "guilty" removed from the record, stating that he was confused and did not understand the charges presented to him. Craig has been asked by a Senate Republican Leadership Ethics Committee to resign.

In the published Editorial, The Leader questioned exactly what Larry Craig was guilty of and went on to argue that it was the Senate's homophobic attitude that cost Craig his seat. The article cites the case of Louisiana Senator David Vitter who admitted that he had used the services of the "D.C. Madam," after his name was found amongst her phone records, Senator Vitter also went on to publicly address the matter, stating that he had committed a "serious sin" and that he would turn to God for forgiveness.

The article published in The Leader suggests that the case against former Senator Craig was forced because his transgressions were of a homosexual intent, while Senator Vitter's crimes were heterosexual in nature, marking them forgivable.

This is not a homophobic response, but the punishment of a liar. Larry Craig was not asked to resign because he was caught soliciting gay sex, but that he is trying to lie about it. He was caught red handed and is panicking to salvage his political career; he is seeking to have the court system justify his lie by removing his guilty plea. The relation to the case of Senator David Vitter is a moot point. Senator Vitter, though wrong, he was honest about his wrongdoings and was granted a second chance. If Larry Craig had stood by his actions and apologized for his adulterous intent, perhaps he would be granted a second chance too.

The Senates actions are upheld by the often overlooked principle that the law was designed blind, not to the actions and details of the situation, but to the individual. No where is there any evidence that Larry Craig was asked to resign because he may be a homosexual; he was asked to resign because he is a liar. In a world where there is a constant outcry for truth and honesty amongst politicians, Larry Craig's punishment should seem justly delivered before the eyes of the people.

To suggest that the Senate is a homophobic group of individuals is a repugnant idea. Publicizing this idea through the case of Larry Craig is using homophobia as a "Red Herring" to dramatize what is already a very public and very difficult situation for Larry Craig and his loved ones. On any given day, people, gay or straight, hit on people in bars and restaurants or even lines at the grocery store and this is not considered a crime. However, if any of these people happened to be married and members of the United States Senate and then lie about their actions, it could be considered a crime.

Patrick Mahoney
Undergraduate Student