Benjamin N. on Reichen's 'Rape' in the Air Force

[Buddy2]

In the latest '15 Minutes", Ben writes the following:

"Gay reality star and D-lister Reichen has once again gotten the spotlight to swing his way thanks to a tall tale involving a sexual assault. Seems this muscular mess wrote about a past ‘rape’ in his new book with great detail: The only problem being that he ended up leaving a hickey on his assailant’s neck as well as ‘cumming in two minutes.’ Funny, that doesn’t sound like any rape I’ve ever heard of. If Reichen plays his cards right, he may be able to sell his life story and film rights. Granted, it’ll be produced by Falcon, but it’s exposure just the same I guess."

Now I like Ben more that Reichen Lehmkuhl, but having served in the military I know that what Reichen describes could happen in our homophobic air force, army, navy etc. Rape happens, but the daily gossip and spying is nearly as bad. The DADT policy is not working and may be worse that the days when it was an open secret as to who was gay.

I can't stand Bush and believe that the war in Iraq is a huge mistake. I am not questioning whether or not Ben had "other priorities" than the military like Dick Cheney. Good for Ben for not getting involved in the military. And yes, I know that many people believe that Reichen is a fame whore.

But I would be interested to know if Ben talked to anyone in the military now, or discharged recently before writing the Reichen item. Even if the 'rape' is slightly exaggerated in the book, my guess is that Reichen faced more homopbobia in the Air Force than Ben has in him entire life.

[TownsendPLocke]

Who the fuck does BN think he is?BN has been caught up in so many inaccuuracies(read lies or nontruths-take your pick)that he is the last person who should be chiding anyone-including a "d-lister"(as opposed to a whore-ooops "escort"such as BN)about lies meant to "bring the spotlight"back opon oneself.

Jeeeeesus christ BN stick to doing what you do well-making old geezers feel "special"by tying them up and spitting Dom at them!

[BenjaminNicholas]

Buddy, let me clarify a little...

I got an advance copy of Reichen's book, where he describes the 'rape' in a tone usually set forJackie Collins novels. He romanticizes it. He talks about 'leaving a hickey' on the neck of one of his attackers and also 'cumming in about two minutes.'

Who the hell has an orgasm when being raped?

Reichen changed his tune about this happening when he figured out that this could be a marketable chapter. I just hope that innocent servicemen aren't brought up on charges if he decides to take this silly charade any further.

BN

[Lucky]

Ben it is a serious misconception that a male rape victim would not come during the attack. You do a disservice here by suggesting that orgasm equals consent.

[Buddy2]

Benjamin,

I need to read the book immediately, because of my interest in Riechen's military experience not because I particular like (or dislike) the author.

I appreciate your thoughful response, but reserve the right to comment again after finishing the book.

Reichen's "Here's What We'll Say" is difficult to find. The library, Barnes & Noble and Borders do not have it, but the local gay and lesbian bookstore has four copies. I just reserved a copy and will pick it up either later today or first thing tomorrow.

You were lucky to get an advanced copy.

B

[Guest mbarz]

Here's what I read on another form:

Queerty.com:

"As is requisite for any celebrity (however pseudo) memoir, there's a painful tale that Reichen's never before disclosed.

Reichen's comes in the form of a hazing-related sexual assault while at the Air Force academy. It seems that poor Reichen was snatched from his bed, blind folded and taken to a room where he was forced to do naked push-ups...into another cadets mouth!....yes, we read the scene in which he gets his wee-wee sucked. Reichen writes:

"I was so sexually aroused, yet feeling so violated, that I didn't know what to do. I struggled to move away from them but they held me tighter. The motjon of getting away felt so good between my lefs that I kept moving up and down. It only took me about two minutes to come, and when I did, the guy in front of me had turned his body somewhat so that my face was on his chest. I must have given him a hickey on his chest as I sucked on his skin while I came."

So, it seems there was no actual "rape" or anal penetration, he was just "forced" to fuck some guys face and was traumatized. I know I feel sorry for him...maybe he really did deserve that HRC award afterall.

mbarz

[Buddy2]

Whether or not the rape scene is true turns out to be one of the least important parts of the book. We have more in common than I realized: in addition to serving in the military we also grew up in the same Massachusetts rural, comservative community. Reichen hated growing up in a trailor park.

He's still very angry about those years to the point of naming the two bullies who teased him in the 7th and 8th grades. He also declared that they must be gay, without providing any evidence. The book may surprise the two men's wives and many kids.

I admire many things about Reichen, particularly his leadership while at the Air Force Academy against the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" military policy. He is a superb organizer ( and self admitted great friend) and by senior year led a group of 60 men who were able to have active gay sex lives despite the military staring over thier shoulders' at every moment.

Reichen decided to attend the Air Force Academy because of his love of flying, given to hm by his beloved grandmother. Reichen did well in all the basic training and advanced infantry training requirements. By his 2nd year, Reichen was openly showing his contempt for the rules and regulations at the Academy. The comtempt may have been routed in his opposition to the DADT policy, but extended far beyond just that. As ridiculous as many of the rules and regulations are, Reichen never understood that there was a basis logic to the training rules, if not the gay policy. He may have been the worst trainer of underclassmen in the Academy's history, usually becoming buddies with the guys. There' plenty of sex in these sections of the book.

At times Reichen's arrogance is just amazing. Senior year he started dating a friend's ex a few days after they broke up. Yet, he has no idea why the friend is so upset that he almost ruined Reichen's great sexual protest v. the DADT policy.

Yes, Reichen loves airplane, but that seemed to be his only reason for choosing the Air Force Academy. Okay, he's only 18 at the time. He never looks back and discusses the fact that the Academy was the wrong place from him from day one -- far beyond the sexual issues.

Give Reichen credit for purring all the good and the bad in the book, just not sure he understood the difference.