WASHINGTON, DC–The sudden resignation of Aaron Schock, the 33-year old Republican Congressman from Illinois, has taken some observers by surprise. Schock is best known for his $40,000 Downton Abbey-style office re-do and his super-fitness, including a famous bare-chested Men’s Health magazine cover shot.
Under investigation by the Office of Congressional Ethics, Schock had reportedly spent taxpayer money on luxury hotels, private jets and lavish dining experiences. But he looked set to go the distance in efforts to clear his name after paying back at least some of the expenditures and retaining a legal team to sort out the mess. He was also viewed as a promising high-flier and someone who, as fellow Illinois Republican, Rep. John Shimkus observed, “brought some excitement and youth to the party.”
Consequently, Schock’s abrupt departure, effective March 31, reignited persistent gossip that the young Congressman might have quit to conceal his sexual orientation.
Unsubstantiated rumors that Schock is gay have swirled on the internet for several years. But given Schock’s lamentable voting record on LGBT equality — earning him a 0% score on the Human Rights Campaign’s Congressional Scorecard — the notion that he dumped his political career to hide his sexuality seems like a long-shot. Schock voted against LGBT hate-crimes legislation, against the repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell, against employment nondiscrimination laws protecting gays and lesbians, and for the Defense of Marriage Act.
But while Schock never met a selfie he couldn’t take — and post — on his Instagram site, he is also likely the only Congressman with a personal photographer on his payroll, an issue at the heart of the ethics investigation.
That would be Jonathon Link, hired last September and who traveled with Schock to India, paid for by the Global Poverty Project. House rules allow a member to accept private money for a companion’s travel expenses only if the companion is a staffer, spouse or child. Link is none of these. Nor did Schock disclose that Link traveled with him.
Are Schock and Link a couple? The answer, of course, should not matter, but one wonders whether it is still political suicide for a Republican Congressman or Senator to declare themselves gay?
Gregory Angelo, executive director of the Log Cabin Republicans who advocate for LGBT acceptance within the party, would not comment on this question because, as he wrote in an email to the Florida Agenda, he does not agree with the “unsubstantiated claims about Schock that perpetuate gay stereotypes.”
But if Schock did decide to throw in the towel to hide his sexual orientation, then this would suggest that not nearly enough progress has yet been made within the Republican party and among its voters to accept elected officials for their political effectiveness rather than condemn them for their sexual preferences.
