Gay Republican elected lawmaker from Pennsylvania comes out

[JayQueer]

We have another one!!

Pennsylvania state representative Mike Fleck, a Republican whose conservative district covers rural Pennsylvania and where Republicans outnumber Democrats 2-to-1, has come out publicly -- on the record, and voluntarily -- as a gay man.

He says he is a conservative Christian and still plans to stick with the Republican party because he believes in smaller government. He has a very conservative resume: he was a Boy Scout and Eagle Scout, he went to Jerry Falwell's Liberty University for college and he worked as a district executive for the Boy Scouts of America. Both organizations are very anti-gay and forced him deeper into the closet.

Mike Fleck says he struggled for years with his sexuality and tried "Christian counseling" to make his same-sex desires go away. He got married to a woman, but he told his wife he was gay and they separated last year.

I can relate to Mike Fleck because I have a lot of conservative beliefs and I have struggled A LOT (and still am) with accepting my sexuality too.

He's really cute!! He looks handsome and masculine!

http://www.politicspa.com/republican...m-gay-2/44597/

[xbuzzerx]

If his district is conservative I wonder if he'll be able to keep his seat now.

[TX-Beau]

WE have another one?

Gay man working for the homophobes, yeah, there's something to celebrate.

[JayQueer]

If his district is conservative I wonder if he'll be able to keep his seat now.

Here's an article from a local newspaper in his area. They interviewed his (straight) Republican friends & colleagues.

http://www.altoonamirror.com/page/co...t.html?nav=742

"It's been the most incredible day of my life," said Pennsylvania Rep. Mike E. Fleck of Springfield Township, Huntingdon County, who on Saturday announced that he is gay.

Fleck, a 39-year-old divorced Republican, who is about to begin his fourth term in the Pennsylvania House representing Huntingdon County and parts of Blair and Mifflin Counties, said the announcement "was about being honest with my constituents."

He explained, however, "It was a big step coming out. It is something I have been working toward for months."

The reaction has been overwhelming, Fleck explained in an interview late Saturday night.

He said he decided to tell the residents of the 81st District he was gay through an article in the Huntingdon Daily News, his home county newspaper. That article appeared Saturday.

He told his very personal life story in what turned out to be one of the longest articles that paper has ever run, and the reaction has been overwhelming.

[TX-Beau]

Yeah, the reaction will be overwhelming when his party stabs him in the back for being a godless faggot - after he stabs us all in the back by supporting haters and 'phobes.

[Rolyo85]

Well, according to JoeMyGod, record shows he has never voted on gay issues, so at least on that front he's clean. Other than that - not topic-worthy.

JayQueer, you are not struggling with your sexuality.

[TX-Beau]

Jayqueer thinks he's hot, and "masculine," evidently, ergo - this thread.

[Rolyo85]

Eh, the guy is semi-legit. THey need more non-offensive gays in that shithole of a party. And frankly, I'd rather be dealing with JayQueer's erection topics rather than Drones and Benghazi...

[eastofeden]

I want to see what happens when he is faced with voting on GLBT issues. That is the only time his sexuality will be an issue for me one way or the other.

[JockBoy87]

"It's not a one issue party."

Translation:

"I'm going to make excuses for GOP prejudice instead of fighting for change."

[rareboy]

JayQueer, you are not struggling with your sexuality.

I want to see what happens when he is faced with voting on GLBT issues. That is the only time his sexuality will be an issue for me one way or the other.

Translation:

"I'm going to make excuses for GOP prejudice instead of fighting for change."

Sums it up for me.

[medic1]

I am just wondering if this was a pre-emptive strike on his part , perhaps/maybe one of the men that he has had sex with while
being married and being a true Christian was going to out him ?

And as other`s have said let`s see what happens next .

Though if i were an American Republican in a State that is by the sound of it quite a Republican stronghold , i would have a great
feeling of betrayal and would be wondering if i could ever trust someone who betrays and marries a woman to hide his own sexuality .

Just Saying..................

[rareboy]

Fleck, a 39-year-old divorced Republican, who is about to begin his fourth term in the Pennsylvania House representing Huntingdon County and parts of Blair and Mifflin Counties, said the announcement "was about being honest with my constituents."

He explained, however, "It was a big step coming out. It is something I have been working toward for months."

http://www.altoonamirror.com/page/co...t.html?nav=742

Uh.

Gee.

Interesting that he waited until after the election to be 'honest' with his constituents.

This tells me everything that I need to know about this Republican politician.

[Ninja108]

I think it's going to come out one of the people he was screwing behind his wife's back was going to out him.
I've said it once and I'll say it again,the current Republician party platform on LGBT is to make them second class citizens,period. I can't support them even if I do agree with many other GOP issues as long as that's the case.

[chance1]

Eh, the guy is semi-legit. THey need more non-offensive gays in that shithole of a party. And frankly, I'd rather be dealing with JayQueer's erection topics rather than Drones and Benghazi...

We'll try to do better

[chance1]

I think it's going to come out one of the people he was screwing behind his wife's back was going to out him.
I've said it once and I'll say it again,the current Republician party platform on LGBT is to make them second class citizens,period. I can't support them even if I do agree with many other GOP issues as long as that's the case.

Scary that your default reaction is that

Perhaps your hope as well

Why assume the worst about the guy

And the "he sucks" reaction needn't oughta be guys

Not everyone is as clean and perfect as y'all

[palbert]

It's a beginning.

See no reason yet to disparage him.

NY's gay marriage passed with necessary Republican votes.

Just sayin' ....

[palbert]

Pennsylvania's General Assembly does not appear to have a disproportionate abundance of openly gay Democrats:

Fleck becomes the first and only legislator currently in Pennsylvania's General Assembly who is openly gay. In the next legislative session, he will be joined by now-Rep.-elect Brian Sims, an openly gay Democrat from Philadelphia.

http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/ind..._says_hes.html

[chance1]

Pennsylvania's General Assembly does not appear to have a disproportionate abundance of openly gay Democrats:



http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/ind..._says_hes.html

I remember (sorta) a line re Pennsylvania and their electorate

In between Philly (far east) and Pittsburgh (far west) is Alabama

[xbuzzerx]

Scary that your default reaction is that

Perhaps your hope as well

Why assume the worst about the guy

And the "he sucks" reaction needn't oughta be guys

Not everyone is as clean and perfect as y'all

Since he's Republican he clearly deserves massive benefit of the doubt, well beyond what you'd ordinarily give a politician.

Unlike Obama or any Democrat, naturally.

[TX-Beau]

Yeah and he self-describes as a "conservative christian."

So recently closeted - and married (to a woman) Conservative Christian Republican - comes out and we are supposed to assume he'll be voting left on Gay issues why?

Did GoProud teach us nothing?

I bet his wife found out, threatened to out him and voila!

"...I've been trying to be honest FOREVER - (I just needed that damn election to be over)

So all of you inclined to think a self defined Conservative Christian Republican is going to be a social liberal, ask yourself this, WOULD HE HAVE BEEN ELECTED IF THE PUBS KNEW HE WAS A FAG?

It would be nice if he said a big fuck you to his Pub base, but how likely is that.

[xbuzzerx]

The fact that he strategically waited until after the election to be 'honest' really sums up my initial concern in my first post about "I wonder if he'll keep his seat now." Not to mention what it says about integrity.

[JayQueer]

Yeah and he self-describes as a "conservative christian."

Many gay men DO identify as conservative Christians. Some accept they are gay, but also believe that their faith calls on them to choose a life of celibacy. Other gay conservative Christians believe that gay sex is permissible (not sinful) only as long as it is within a monogamous, committed relationship with another man. This is called "Argument A" vs "Argument B", and you can read more on the Gay Christian Network (http://www.gaychristian.net/)

So recently closeted - and married (to a woman) Conservative Christian Republican - comes out and we are supposed to assume he'll be voting left on Gay issues why?

Why not? Other posters pointed out that Rep. Mike Fleck has never made a public statement, or taken a vote on a gay rights issue or measure. So he has no record of anti-gay votes or actions. There is no hypocrisy.

Did GoProud teach us nothing?

I bet his wife found out, threatened to out him and voila!

His wife has known for over a year, and they chose to end the marriage one year ago. The article says they are still close friends. So your accusation holds no water.

"...I've been trying to be honest FOREVER - (I just needed that damn election to be over)

Coming out is a personal decision. That was up to him when he wanted to come out. If he wanted to remain closeted, that would have also been his choice. And again, he never rallied against gay people or voted on anti-gay measures so there was no hypocrisy to expose.

So all of you inclined to think a self defined Conservative Christian Republican is going to be a social liberal, ask yourself this, WOULD HE HAVE BEEN ELECTED IF THE PUBS KNEW HE WAS A FAG?

It would be nice if he said a big fuck you to his Pub base, but how likely is that.

Rep. Mike Fleck NEVER said he is going to be a "social liberal". Just because he is gay, he must now share all of your political views??

Newsflash: there are openly gay men who believe in God, paying off the deficit, the right to bear arms (2nd amendment), oppose affirmative action, oppose abortion, and believe we should be drilling for oil in the US..

[JayQueer]

The fact that he strategically waited until after the election to be 'honest' really sums up my initial concern in my first post about "I wonder if he'll keep his seat now." Not to mention what it says about integrity.

I think it says he has a lot of integrity.

Coming out is a personal decision. He could have chosen to remain closeted if he wanted to, and it would have probably been easier, given how rural and conservative his district is. Coming out takes a lot of courage, regardless of the age you are when you do it..

[Rolyo85]

Newsflash: there are openly gay men who believe in God, paying off the deficit, the right to bear arms (2nd amendment), oppose affirmative action, oppose abortion, and believe we should be drilling for oil in the US..

...and that marriage is between a man and a woman ^_^

[xbuzzerx]

I think it says he has a lot of integrity.

Coming out is a personal decision. He could have chosen to remain closeted if he wanted to, and it would have probably been easier, given how rural and conservative his district is. Coming out takes a lot of courage, regardless of the age you are when you do it..

Good luck with that "it's a personal decision, nothing to do with your job" argument when he has to run for re-election to conservatives.

[Rolyo85]

Gay men who believe they should stay celibate ate self hating

[xbuzzerx]

Gay men who believe they should stay celibate ate self hating

Yeah let's not beat around the bush. "There are many gay men who are conservative Christians" is true but it's also romancing the truth which is that the conservative half of this country has not come to grips with the fact that being gay is not an 80's fad that will just go away with prayer and watching enough football, and approach it politically as something that will destroy the moral fabric of the nation.

So yeah being in the closet and then "Surprise conservative voters! I'm gay!" after the election isn't exactly forward progress to me. When we see how he votes and when we see if he keeps his seat there will be something to comment on. Until then, there's nothing to say here except that it looks like he either lied on purpose knowing he couldn't win the election as a gay man in a conservative district or he was preempting someone outing him.

[chance1]

more "my way or the highway" bullshit

from the all knowing intolerant progressive klan on CE+P

funny (sad) how they're just like the people that hated them

there's no reason to hate this guy and no reason to assume the worst

other than an individual's (the one judging) hateful insides

[xbuzzerx]

more "my way or the highway" bullshit

from the all knowing intolerant progressive klan on CE+P

funny (sad) how they're just like the people that hated them

there's no reason to hate this guy and no reason to assume the worst

other than an individual's (the one judging) hateful insides

Oh please spare us the hot air.

The only reason you aren't here saying the guy is a liar and probably a child molester is because you're gay yourself. Otherwise that would be the stock Republican response I'd expect about this story.

[JayQueer]

Gay men who believe they should stay celibate ate self hating

I disagree. I think gay men who are promiscuous and have sex with random men they find on Manhunt or Grindr or Scruff are far more "self-hating" and have other personal issues than a man who accepts his sexual orientation and willingly chooses not to have sex.

[xbuzzerx]

I disagree. I think gay men who are promiscuous and have sex with random men they find on Manhunt or Grindr or Scruff are far more "self-hating" and have other personal issues than a man who accepts his sexual orientation and willingly chooses not to have sex.

The only possible reason to make that decision is because you believe gay sex is wrong.

Yes, that is self-hating if you are a gay male.

[chance1]

the options are:

1 - tolerance - perhaps with empathy (optional)
2 - intolerance

the progressive klan chooses door # 2 always after whining their whole lives about the intolerance they encounter

yawn

[eastofeden]

I missed the conservative christian part the first time..that changes everything. They are the oppressive control freaks of the world...seeking to define everything for everyone else...I loathe them. Gay and conservative christian = cognitive dissonance.

[TX-Beau]

more "my way or the highway" bullshit

from the all knowing intolerant progressive klan on CE+P

funny (sad) how they're just like the people that hated them

there's no reason to hate this guy and no reason to assume the worst

other than an individual's (the one judging) hateful insides

Blah blah blah blah.

Bite me Chance, there's no reason to give this guy the benefit of the doubt, and no reason to believe rainbows blow out his ass.

[TX-Beau]

I missed the conservative christian part the first time..that changes everything. They are the oppressive control freaks of the world...seeking to define everything for everyone else...I loathe them. Gay and conservative christian = cognitive dissonance.

Gay and conservative christian = internalized homophobia.

[xbuzzerx]

the options are:

1 - tolerance - perhaps with empathy (optional)
2 - intolerance

the progressive klan chooses door # 2 always after whining their whole lives about the intolerance they encounter

yawn

Yes. Yawn. A gay male part of a political apparatus that throws millions of dollars at denying him his own equal rights.

And we're not full of sympathy. Horrible!

[chance1]

Blah blah blah blah.

Bite me Chance, there's no reason to give this guy the benefit of the doubt, and no reason to believe rainbows blow out his ass.

no idea about the rainbows

and i don't bite or suck members of the intolerant progressive klan - it's a mood killer

honestly TX there's no reason to hate this guy or to not view a republican coming out as anything but good

you need to find some gray in your life - perhaps a gray v-neck sweater to start

and tell your sidekick (he knows but is blocking it out) that he's in the cornfield until he turns over a new leaf

gay republicans is a good thing - it's a sign of change/tolerance

[Rolyo85]

I disagree. I think gay men who are promiscuous and have sex with random men they find on Manhunt or Grindr or Scruff are far more "self-hating" and have other personal issues than a man who accepts his sexual orientation and willingly chooses not to have sex.

Like buzzer said, making that decision implies one believes gay sex is wrong, and that IS self hating.

Also, I have sex with random men I meet on Grindr. I have the personal issue of really. Loving. Sex. So spare me the sour grapes please. We all know how much dignity YOUR personal choices as far as relationships and sex include, you're really in no position to be making any sort of judgmental statement here

[xbuzzerx]

no idea about the rainbows

and i don't bite or suck members of the intolerant progressive klan - it's a mood killer

honestly TX there's no reason to hate this guy or to not view a republican coming out as anything but good

you need to find some gray in your life - perhaps a gray v-neck sweater to start

and tell your sidekick (he knows but is blocking it out) that he's in the cornfield until he turns over a new leaf

Yes there is a reason to see it as something other than good. Republicans have to wait until after an election to come out. What does that say about the party?

I love how the intolerant side is us.

[chance1]

Like buzzer said, making that decision implies one believes gay sex is wrong, and that IS self hating.

Also, I have sex with random men I meet on Grindr. I have the personal issue of really. Loving. Sex. So spare me the sour grapes please. We all know how much dignity YOUR personal choices as far as relationships and sex include, you're really in no position to be making any sort of judgmental statement here

LOL

u don't get it

JQ unlike u has opinions but doesn't force others to be with his program

u could learn from him but that'd require skills u lack

and your attacks on JQ are limp ......... yep

[xbuzzerx]

LOL

u don't get it

JQ unlike u has opinions but doesn't force others to be with his program

u could learn from him but that'd require skills u lack

and your attacks on JQ are limp ......... yep

Only by virtue of the fact that any logically reasoned argument is completely incomprehensible to the political right. They know the real way to do things, pick your conclusion first and work backwards.

[TX-Beau]

no idea about the rainbows

and i don't bite or suck members of the intolerant progressive klan - it's a mood killer

honestly TX there's no reason to hate this guy or to not view a republican coming out as anything but good

you need to find some gray in your life - perhaps a gray v-neck sweater to start

and tell your sidekick (he knows but is blocking it out) that he's in the cornfield until he turns over a new leaf

gay republicans is a good thing - it's a sign of change/tolerance

gay republicans is a good thing - it's a sign of change/tolerance

In a party that just went HARD right on everything - they suddenly embrace the gay because one guy who's been lying for years comes out.

Can I have some of what you're smokin?

Just wait and see, of course you will probably neglect to see when he gets his sorry pink ass kicked to the curb by the right because he's a deviant child molesting queer.

Lie down with Pubs, get up with fleas.

[JockBoy87]

the progressive klan chooses door # 2 always after whining their whole lives about the intolerance they encounter

You know dit is n bietjie snaaks I thought for a moment I was reading Matt Barber on OneNewsNow

[TX-Beau]

JQ unlike u has opinions but doesn't force others to be with his program

Cry me a river. If you think disagreement is "Force," you really need to pick up your cross and do two laps around the house so everyone can see you, crucifixion promptly at 2:00p.m.

WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!@ ROLYO FOR FORCING ME TO READ HIS POSTS!!!

[xbuzzerx]

Cry me a river. If you think disagreement is "Force," you really need to pick up your cross and do two laps around the house so everyone can see you, crucifixion promptly at 2:00p.m.

WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!@ ROLYO IF FORCING ME TO READ HIS POSTS!!!

He's a Euro dictator

[palbert]

What determined hatred for someone who has just made a consequential step.

I give him the benefit of the doubt until I know how he votes.

As of next year PA has only 1 other gay Assemblyperson.

Some of you should run for office -- or remain preachers.

Not everyone has seen the burning bush.

[TX-Beau]

Hatred isn't the emotion, it would be closer to contempt, and really, why is it that every time a Pub comes out there are people who treat that like it's the second coming?

I came out at 19 - you may idolize me now.

the rest of that is pretty much just blather.

[chance1]

Cry me a river. If you think disagreement is "Force," you really need to pick up your cross and do two laps around the house so everyone can see you, crucifixion promptly at 2:00p.m.

WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!@ ROLYO FOR FORCING ME TO READ HIS POSTS!!!

silly boy - disagreement is grand

the intolerant progressive klan isn't about disagreement

that's too ....... agreeable

it's about demonizing and belittling

just like rolyo did to JQ

ur probably numb to it is my guess

as for the the republican congressman

i agree with palbert - but u know that

[xbuzzerx]

What determined hatred for someone who has just made a consequential step.

I give him the benefit of the doubt until I know how he votes.

As of next year PA has only 1 other gay Assemblyperson.

Some of you should run for office -- or remain preachers.

Not everyone has seen the burning bush.

We don't hate him.

We hate that he's part of a political ideology which probably drove him deeply enough into the closet to have a fake marriage in the first place, that he's still part of that ideology, that he probably couldn't have won his seat if he'd "had his consequential step" before the election and not after, and that rather than denouncing this aspect of the whole right-hand half of the spectrum, its supporters here naively and limply try to say this is something to celebrate probably shortly before the guy gets eviscerated in the back by his own party.

Yay. Mr. random dude whoever from PA came out. Good for him. What are JQ and Chance going to be saying when this guy gets wrecked by his own party? "Oh, he was too Democrat anyway?"