Outing Ken Mehlman

Last week's outing of Ken Mehlman by Bill Maher on Larry King was a tasteless act, a shameless attempt for a cheap laugh.

I've never been in favor of outing, although recent events like the GOP's shameless gaybaiting and the examples of Foley and Haggard make it tempting to see outing in a new light.

I don't know whether Mehlman is gay or not. Like everyone else in DC, I've heard the rumors, just as I heard the rumors about Foley (which does not make the Mehlman rumors true).

And that what makes outing so problamatic. Unless you've had sex with the guy, how do you know?

But the real problem I have with it is the self-righteousness of it. Sure, it's easy to feel like you have the moral high ground in the case of a Haggard, who's paying for gay sex while supporting one of the most anti-gay provisions on the state ballot.

But what if he was opposing a hate crimes bill? Do you out him then? Not all gays favor hate crimes legislation. Who decides? Madonna?

The irony of outing, though, is that everyone already knows. Even Lou Dobson knew about Haggard. Everyone knew about Foley. And if Mehlman is gay no one who has a gaydar or good fashion sense will be surprised. Memo to all who are in the closet: people know. And your attempts to stay "hidden" only make you look silly, not only to friends and family but to the gay prostitute who's sucking your dick.