Former Republican Lawmaker Aaron Schock Has Come Out As Gay

[Lunabell]

Source: Buzz feed

During his six years in Congress, Schock voted against many measures supported by the LGBTQ community, including hate crimes legislation and the repeal of "don't ask, don't tell."


Chicago Tribune / Tribune News Service via Getty I
Former Republican member of Congress Aaron Schock came out as gay on Thursday in a long statement posted to Instagram and his personal website.

Schock spoke about his years of struggling with his sexuality and estrangement from his conservative family, and added that if he were in Congress now, he would "would support LGBTQ rights in every way [he] could."

During his six years in Congress representing Illinois, Schock consistently voted against policies supported by the LGBTQ community, including the 2010 repeal of "don't ask, don't tell," which allowed gay and bisexual people to openly serve in the military, and the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act.

Read more: https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/ellievhall/aaron-schock-gay-comes-out

[msongs]

1. yawn, he's been acting out for months and months nt

[bitterross]

2. Well duh!

Who didn't know?

[Cirque du So-What]

3. This comes as quite a surprise

to no one.

[mopinko]

24. not any that saw his downton abbey office decor.

[Siwsan]

4. Shame on his family

That is all.

[Newest Reality]

5. When...

When, just when, is this culture going to openly investigate and try to mitigate the blatent projections of people's internal, psychological struggles into our political infrastructure?

It is more than obvious, as we see again and again, that, rather than getting rational and reasonable information or legislation from individuals who are have powerful, internal conflicts, (which is their problem, not ours) we get the results of their attempts to deal or cope with their problem and it seems to have always had an often severe, negative impact on society at large.

To me, that one problem is the cause of a host of others and worthy of attention, debate and a call for solutions. Our government, (and other institutions) really shouldn't be used as a form of much need therapy that we pay for and that were not designed to fulfill that function for any individual and their needs. We should not pay that multi-faceted price in the future.

[jimfields33]

6. Their problem not ours

Good grief do you have any idea how hard it is to come out? Nice looking after the 16-year old and the 50-year olds who make this courageous decision. Funny how glib you make it.



I’m speaking from experience. It is NOT easy like you seem to think or don’t care as as you say, “it’s not our problem”.

[Newest Reality]

7. I was not focusing on...

I wasn't focusing on one topic, in this case, if I didn't make that clear. It is far more prevalent than that.

I'm sorry you took it as glib and I fully understand your bias and the projection.

[jimfields33]

9. Hey were good always

But just wanted to show it is hard as hell to come out.

[Newest Reality]

14. Oh,

Of course. I empathize with that. No question.

Sorry. I should acknowledge here that aspect of the story which I used as a springboard. I hope my points didn't diminish the struggle suffering in any way. This culture has a long ways to go, still, but progress is being made in that respect, at least, and that's thanks to those who are brave enough to take the risk.

[flibbitygiblets]

13. I didn't read anything in the above post advising people to come out.

Nor did I read anything about coming out being "easy". I think most of us here get that is most certainly is not. (I have some experience with this as well.)

What I got from the above post was a message that people's internal struggles (and perhaps even self-hatred--reading into the meaning here) causes some to act against the best interests of LGBTQ people. And that when such a person has the ability to shape public policy and laws, that's dangerous.

[LisaM]

30. Yes, and they're forced into voting against their own interests and beliefs as a cover.

Maybe "forced" is the wrong word - no one made him run for office - but he apologized for his votes, and it suddenly clicked with me that these closeted lawmakers cast anti-LGBT votes for reasons I can't fully understand.

I'm really glad he made that statement about regretting his votes. It goes a long way with me when people actively seek forgiveness.

[flibbitygiblets]

35. Just goes to show how we desperately need more OPENLY gay men and women in congress

Mayor Pete did a lot of good by showing how human he is, and how much good he could (and still can) do for our country.

(TBC I am not asking closeted people to come out. I'm asking openly gay people to consider running for office. We will support and defend you!)

[beastie boy]

8. Buttigieg envy?

Younger, smarter, better looking, more successful and doesn't have to lie to himself every day.

Damn, it sucks to be a Republican!

[jimfields33]

12. Jesus. Democratic supporters take their lives daily for being gay

Stop!!!!!

[greenjar_01]

10. Tell me something I didn't know when I woke up this morning

[LenaBaby61]

11. "Former GOP lawmaker Aaron Schock has come out as gay."

During his six years in Congress representing Illinois, Schock consistently voted against policies supported by the LGBTQ community, including the 2010 repeal of "don't ask, don't tell," which allowed gay and bisexual people to openly serve in the military, and the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act.

Typical GOP, now party of putin ideology 🙄

[CurtEastPoint]

21. THAT is the problem w/Closet Boy. I could give a F if he's in or out but he DID DAMAGED TO US.

[rownesheck]

15. I, for one,

am not "schocked".

[beachbumbob]

16. he was an asshole republican congressman to begin with

[Behind the Aegis]

17. Not really all that "shocking".

He has been inching out of the closet for years. The downside, besides his past homophobic bullshit votes and actions, is this is just one more person heterosexists will throw up as an example of "See?! Homophobes are really secret gays!". Basically, absolving heterosexuals of ever being homophobes. Awww heterosexism, the privilege of straight people that keeps on giving...black eyes to the GLBT community!

[NurseJackie]

18. I see what you did there.

[JudyM]

36. This is making me think. Thanks, BTA.

[GulfCoast66]

38. Thank you. Have not thought of this angle before being a white straight guy.

I will endeavor to no longer make comments about homophobes being secretly gay. I can now see how damaging that can be.

You helped educate me tonight. Thank you.

[Hulk]

19. Again....this is how these selfish Neanderthals think....

“If it affects me?.....I’m for it.” If it doesn’t affect ME, I couldn’t care less about anyone else! ZERO empathy of any kind.

My US rep, jamie hererra-buetler from Washington state is another perfect example. If her own baby wasn’t born with a pre-existing condition, she couldn’t care less about families with pre-existing conditions. In fact even more hypocritical, she cares about herself having that guarantee, but doesn’t give a rat’s ass about anyone else having that peace of mind, and consistently votes the ACA down. (Ignorant bitch)

Fuck this self centered piece of shit, and the whole boat he floated in on.

[Skittles]

40. I agree

certainly it is a character flaw

[NurseJackie]

20. Here's a multipage letter... I doubt he'll find the LGBTQ community eagerly welcomes him.

but I could be wrong.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B9W8bGvjTp-

[Boomer]

31. I can empathize with the pain and the struggles, BUT...

...the minute you lash out at others to cover your own perception of sin, to shift focus away from your own situation by making other people, then you're scum.

Only the most craven, morally corrupt, and selfish people will act this way. It's worse than a straight person's actions, because as a gay person you know damn well the damager you're promoting.

[sdfernando]

22. My GADAR went full tilt to the right

the 1st time I ever saw him and heard him. I knew it then even if he didn't.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

23. He loved power above even his own inner self. . . . nt

[Joe Nation]

25. Maybe ALL Republicans are secretly gay or they are Lindsey Graham.

N/t

[Farmer-Rick]

26. So it was more important to him to have power and stolen loot

Then to admit who he really is.

What a total tool of the filthy rich.

[Firebrand Gary]

27. Fu@k. That. Guy.

Someone should tell disgraced Congressman Schock, that a real profile in courage can be found in Pete Buttigieg! Aaron gets ZERO applause from me for what he’s done to his own community to further his political career.

#Loser

[SunSeeker]

28. He didn't "come out." He was outed.

From the article:

"...he was photographed partying with and making out with men."

[Perseus]

29. How sad it is that he struggles with his sexuality, but in order to remain in the corrupt party

he is willing to throw his LGBTQ fellows under the bus by voting against them and himself. The hypocrisy within the republican party has no limits.

Everyday I hit my head against the wall in hope that something with rattle inside to help me understand why anyone with education can be a republican. I understand the deplorable, they just don't know any better than to hate, but educated people who do not have anything to gain from supporting republicans because they are not part of the 1%? Not even that, I mean, OK, be a republican, but to support trump??? That goes beyond comprehension.

[NurseJackie]

32. You done messed up Ay Ay Ron

[LuvNewcastle]

42. LOL!

[bluevoter4life]

33. Schocked, Schocked I tell ya

Last edited Thu Mar 5, 2020, 09:58 PM - Edit history (1)

Not really. How many anti-gay GOPers have come out in the last few years? He has done significant damage to our friends in the LGBTQ community.

[YOHABLO]

34. Oh poor Schock, he struggled with his sexuality meanwhile voting against the LGBT community.

Hey Schock: No one cares. Get it ?

[Miigwech]

37. Go and fu*k yourself schock ... you turned on yourself

and well, go and fu*k yourself for all the harm that you did in voting against Gay Americans. It is not so easy to come out when you have been an antagonist for Gay Rights

[GulfCoast66]

39. Ok. Feeling pretty nuanced here. First, being straight he did not directly vote against my life.

So do not have personal reasons to hate the dude. Actually, never heard of him. Well except he did make things harder on some of my friends which I note

But I feel sorry for the guy. I also was raised in a conservative Christian home. But not nearly as conservative as the Apostolic. They are hardcore. The southern Baptist church I was raised in was liberal by comparison.

Anyway, it took me 15 years of inner struggles just to be able to admit to myself that I do not believe in the Christian concept of god. Any concept, really. And that decision cost me absolutely nothing. No need to tell my family or friends that I think might be offended. Basically changed my life not at all. Except to make more empathetic and supportive of communities that I was once taught were wrong. Which is ironic. Giving up my religion made me more loving. I can’t imagine the pain of people raised like me who happen to be gay even though I am friends with some.

But I realize actions have consequences. I doubt he will ever be accepted by the community he is now a part of. Hopefully he can find a way to help others in his circumstance to find peace. And I do hope he can find acceptance in his family who he clearly loves.

So ok. I’m a softy. But hell, I was a pretty dickish republican for much of my life. Of course, I was never in office so my vote was not very powerful. I do know people can make a total change.

Just rambling. Hope I did not offend anyone.

[RhodeIslandOne]

41. I'm sure people here were reprimanded for pointing out Schock's overplaying of his conservatism.

But the closet case always gets outed in the end.