Outed Homophobes: The Supercut

Via Towleroad, here's a compilation of some of the most notorious homophobes who have been outed in recent years.

FLORIDA: Mark Foley Attempts Comeback By Reaching Out To YOUNG Republicans

(Via - Towleroad)

Photo Of The Day - Mark Foley

The ostensible purpose of this post is to pimp my beloved Father Tony's South Florida Gay News profile of the good Mark Foley, who is a Fort Lauderdale park ranger and environmentalist and should not be confused with disgraced former Rep. Mark Foley, who also lives in South Florida. But to be truthful, I just wanted to post this photo of my favorite bartender at the Ramrod, where Mark moonlights on weekends.

Mark Foley, Mayor Of West Palm Beach?

Former GOP Rep. Mark Foley, who resigned in 2006 after it was revealed that he'd sent lewd text messages to male congressional pages, is considering running for mayor of West Palm Beach, Florida.

On Wednesday, Foley confirmed that friends and colleagues have gauged his interest in the wide-open mayoral race that so far has just two official candidates in Commissioners Jeri Muoio and Molly Douglas. Foley said he is still a long way from running for elected office, but he wouldn’t rule out the mayoral run. “I keep hearing the buzz,” Foley said. “But there’s no plan in place.” Foley said he’s not sure what other potential candidates, especially Commissioner Kimberly Mitchell, are planning. Mitchell and Foley are long-time friends, and if she decides not to run, it could open up a spot for Foley. Despite Foley’s baggage from the page scandal that forced him to resign his US Congressional seat in 2007, Foley has reemerged on the political scene as a fundraiser and host of a local radio show.

A refresher of one of Foley's text message exchanges:

Maf54 (8:08:31 PM): get a ruler and measure it for me

Xxxxxxxxx (8:08:38 PM): ive already told you that

Maf54 (8:08:47 PM): tell me again

Xxxxxxxxx (8:08:49 PM): 7 and 1/2

Maf54 (8:09:04 PM): ummmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

Maf54 (8:09:08 PM): beautiful

Xxxxxxxxx (8:09:38 PM): lol

Maf54 (8:09:44 PM): thats a great size

Xxxxxxxxx (8:10:00 PM): thank you

Maf54 (8:10:22 PM): still stiff

Xxxxxxxxx (8:10:28 PM): ya

Maf54 (8:10:40 PM): take it out

Xxxxxxxxx (8:10:54 PM): brb...my mom is yelling

Bill Maher: Sanford Vs. Foley

No Charges For Mark Foley

Disgraced former Rep. Mark Foley (R-FL) will not face charges for sending lewd emails and instant messages to congressional pages, according to sources that say an official announcement is about to be released.

Foley's attorney, David Roth, has acknowledged that Foley sent the messages to the teenagers, but has maintained that the Florida Republican never had inappropriate contact with minors. Roth had no immediate comment on the pending announcement.

State or federal charges were not able to be made because Foley apparently never met the teens in person, all of whom were over the age of consent.

Foley resigned in 2006 shortly after the scandal was made public by former Democratic staffer Lane Hudson, whom Foley had attempted to pick up in a DC bar eleven years earlier. Hudson was later fired from his job at the Human Rights Campaign for using his employers' computers to anonymously leak the story on his blog.

GOP Closet Cruisers' Profiles Exposed!

I ripped this bit of hilarity off from Queerty, who got it from a "particularly clever, presumably unemployed, bored reader." Well done, mystery man. Please come forward for some well-earned credit.

Foley Faces Possible Charges In Florida

ABC News is reporting that Florida law enforcement officials are building a possible case against disgraced former Rep. Mark "measure it for me" Foley (R-FL) for sending lewd messages to minors on the internet. The decision on whether to bring charges is said to be a month away and will depend on the testimony of the former congressional pages who received the messages.

Federal charges have not been possible because actual sexual contact with a minor was never proven. The age of consent in Washington, DC is 16. However, Foley apparently sent at least some messages from Pensacola, in violation of Florida's very strict internet predators law. Foley has resurfaced in Palm Beach after spending time in Arizona "rehab" for his drinking problem and his supposed own childhood molestation issues.

Foley is definitely a creep and an embarassment to gay people. Still, I'm of mixed opinion on these possible charges. It seems like 16 and 17 year old boys should be able to fend for themselves on the internet and that law enforcement should focus on the scumbags that target kids less able to protect themselves. On the other hand, the super-high visibilty of the Foley case could serve to give all potential child predators pause. What do you think?
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