Gerry Studds, the first-ever openly gay US congressman, died this past Saturday. The timing was certainly ironic considering his name has been in the news lately in relationship to the scandal surrounding former Representative Mark Foley. Both congressmen were involved in controversy regarding their involvement with young men in the Congressional page program.
But, if I may be allowed a moment of inappropriate levity and revert to the adolescent sense of humor that lurks not far beneath the surface of my seemingly-mature deportment...
Does it seem somewhat humorous that the first-ever openly gay congressman has the last name "Studds"? And more, does it strike anyone else as morbidly hilarious that the first-ever openly gay congressman died at age 69?
I thought so.
On the other hand, when I was reading Studds' obituary on the New York Times website, it struck me that, in my experience, this is the first time I have ever read an obituary (particularly in a major newspaper) in the US in which a gay man's partner is referred to as his "husband." Studds and his partner Dean Hara were married in 2004 in Massachusetts, being among the first in that state to be wed after gay marriage was legalized there.
Today's Holidays:
Tuesday, October 17, 2006
A Completely Inappropriate Observation
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2 comments:
Of course, Congress deneid Studds' husband the survivor benefits (pension, etc) that accrue to hetero spouses.
Anonymous...
Well, perhaps after November 7, we will be able to see some better progress toward seeing that remedied!
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