"Today in History" -

[bcohen7719]

From the "Turtle Box Bulletin." This event took place

today (October 3), but in 1980.

 

BC

 

Congressman Arrested For Soliciting a Teen Male Prostitute: 1980. Rep. Bob Bauman (R-MD) had a history of voting for anti-gay bills in Congress. He voted twice to deny federal funds to lawyers dealing with gay rights itsues, and he backed a “family protection bill” that would have explicitly legalized discrimination in housing and employment based on sexual orientation. He was one of the brightest stars of the far right, serving as chairman for the American Conservative Union. But on this date in history, Bauman was arrested by D.C. police for “soliciting sex from a sixteen-year old boy.” It turns out he had a habit of cruising gay bars in Washington, D.C., a habit he blamed entirely on alcohol. A judge bought his story and accepted his not guilty plea in exchange for entering a six-month alcohol rehabilitation course. Voters in his district didn’t buy it though. Despite a the Ronald Reagan-led Republican landslide in November, Bauman lost his Congressional seat, and his wife walked out the following June.

 

In 1986, he wrote his memoir, The Gentleman from Maryland, not because he wanted to tell his story but because he was broke. He wrote that his downfall was orchestrated by the Carter administration, House Speaker “Tip” O’Neill and a Maryland senator who considered him a potential rival. As for himself, he told one interviewer, “I still don’t like being gay. If I had my druthers, I wouldn’t be gay.” Bauman is now an attorney for the Sovereign Society, a group which provides expatriation services for Americans looking for offshore tax havens.

[+ Charlie]

Bob Bauman was neither the first nor the last Republican politician whose loudly professed dislike of gays turned out to be a projection of his fears of his own sexual desires, so I'm not sure how historic this date is for anyone but Bauman himself. I remember him as a rather small, nerdy-looking guy, very intense, who was always looking for publicity, but quick to blame others when it turned negative.

[Diverdan]

Fortunately, I don't remember this guy, not that there is anything redeaming to remember. He certainly has an interesting career now and I wonder if he still hires~! Thanks for this posting, and thanks Charlie for your additional comments. I agree that Bauman was neither the first nor will he be the last of right wing nuts who unfortunately can't accept whom they truly are.