When this first broke, I thought that I wasn’t going to comment on it. I changed my mind after watching this news conference.
On several of the blogs that I read, there have been really shocking and horrific comments made about the sheriff. The most venomous and unfair remarks I’ve read were from blogs that cater to the gay world. Even the comments in blogs of the religious right weren’t as hostile.
This left me wondering what about this man had generated such venom. So when I saw a link to this news conference if figured I’d have my morning coffee and see what this guy could possibly say that would generate so much anger from the gay community.
This is a long video. I like a lot of what this man says. Those items we disagree on… well nobody’s perfect!
Sheriff Paul Babeu Press Conference from Paul Babeu on Vimeo.
Several things struck me about this guy.
He strikes me as genuine.
He’s doing his best to hold it together during a very public exposure of his sexuality. He comes across as a very private person and having something as personal as your sexual behavior splattered across the world wide news machine has to be difficult. I give him credit for hanging in there.
Sheriff Babeu explains his life philosophy pretty well. He says he’s a man of duty, and that duty and honor are both at the top of his priorities even when duty and honor may result in personal difficulties. He points out that he’s never lied about being gay. From another published comment attributed to Sheriff Babeu, He’s also never worn being gay on his sleeve.
Sheriff Babeu explains why he contacted an attorney to represent him in a disagreement with Jose. One of the things that caught my attention later in the news conference is that Sheriff Babeu refused to discuss the particulars of the relationship. It’s hard to make out but I think one of the reporters off camera asks something about the length of time the relationship lasted and when it ended. Sheriff Babeu only responds, “prior to September” and goes no further.
The Sheriff states a couple of times that he’s a single man, and that he’s done nothing wrong or illegal in dating other adults. At one point the Sheriff tells someone in the crowd that the minute details of his personal life aren’t anyones business. The person in the crowd doesn’t like that answer but quiets down pretty quickly.
During the whole interview I saw nothing but a guy dealing with a tough situation with a commendable amount of grace under pressure. Hell, I’d vote for him.
Sheriff Babeu didn’t come across as a racist, hatemonger, liar, or abuser of power. So I was still at a loss to understand why the gay community as represented on the mainstream gay blogs were so hateful in their comments about this guy.
Then the Sheriff addresses the allegation that he threatened to have Jose deported.
AH HA! Here we go, THE HOT BUTTON ISSUE! Immigration…
Because every gay person should be completely happy with, and supportive of illegal immigrants. (Even though a large percentage of them are devoutly Catholic and by church doctrine are opposed to gay rights)
Sheriff Babeu says that he didn’t threaten Jose with deportation, and goes on to say that to his knowledge Jose’s immigration status was the same as anyones.
The commenters on the gay blogs and some of the blog sites themselves have locked onto this single allegation and in one of the most hypocritical twists of logic have tried, convicted, and condemned Sheriff Babeu without any evidence whatsoever.
How can the gay community demand justice, freedom, and equality while at the same time stomping all over those very principals?
Sheriff Babeu, is an example of both what is right … and wrong in this country.
Here’s a guy that just lives his life. He works, contributes, serves his country, serves, his community, dates, and has bad breakups. He’s no different than any of the rest of the people in this country. In fact he’s the ultimate guy next door.
Here’s whats wrong in this country.
By saying “I’m Gay”, somehow all the contributions this man has made are thrown into question. Many people, in politics, the media, and some in the communities he serves will now look at Sheriff Babeu differently and few, will even seek to limit his freedoms.
Is it any wonder at all that folks like the Sheriff work so hard to keep their private lives private?
Our society creates and reinforces an environment where your choices are;
Be gay, open, honest…. And stigmatized… In corporate America, You’ll never gain promotions, achieve anything of note, or move up the corporate ladder to success. In the political arena, with few exceptions you’ll have to be a Democrat, can’t be conservative, and will probably not be taken seriously and therefore your career will always be limited. OR Hide.
Given those options which would you choose?
I hope that Sheriff Babeu is a tough as nails. I think the next few weeks are going to be very hard on him.
I sincerely hope that his friends continue to rally around him and that he’s never lacking for support.
