Ted Haggard

[Guest zachary]

Former pastor Ted Haggard is making the rounds on tv regarding his life since his escort revealed details of their meetings in Denver, including drug use.

My question, what's everyone's opinion on the escort affirmatively revealing this information as a public service to reveal Ted's hyprocrisy re: his public views and pronouncements about gays.

I can't think of a better place to ask this question, since the majority of ads one sees contain the words "discreet," which I assume means that the provider doesn't reveal personal information.

And if you agree with the provider doing it, what's your view on the boundaries for someone doing again?

[Guest BewareofNick]

Former pastor Ted Haggard is making the rounds on tv regarding his life since his escort revealed details of their meetings in Denver, including drug use.

My question, what's everyone's opinion on the escort affirmatively revealing this information as a public service to reveal Ted's hyprocrisy re: his public views and pronouncements about gays.

I can't think of a better place to ask this question, since the majority of ads one sees contain the words "discreet," which I assume means that the provider doesn't reveal personal information.

And if you agree with the provider doing it, what's your view on the boundaries for someone doing again?

It was absolutely appropriate. This wad of fuck known as Ted Haggard was actively campaigning against us, all the while enjoying cock on the side (and not with just this escort as we've found out recently). He was also advising former President Bush on policy. So, yeah, it desperately needed to happen and I applaud the escort for doing so.

In most cases, i would say it's inappropriate to reveal a client's identity. In this case, the escort did a great service to his country.

[caeron]

I think when you're on the national stage as an anti-gay bigot, then you're an idiot if you expect an escort to keep quiet about you. There is no seal of the confessional to protect you.

[TotallyOz]

No, it was not appropriate. It was not discreet. It was not professional. Regardless of what you think of your clients, they are paying for you to keep the transaction private.

I once ran an escort service in NYC. Our largest money making weekend was the Republican Convention in Philly. We sent tons of boys down. One came back and we were watching the speeches and his client was on the tv. A very consertative man with deeply religious politics. It was not our business.

[TownsendPLocke]

While I do not disagree with Oz,an agency would not last too long if it did not give its clients some level of protection,the same should NEVER be an assumption when it comes to individual "service providers"and this idiot expecting not to be outed speaks more of his masochistic wish to be outed than of the loose lips of the escort.

You don't want to be outed?Then don't go on TV spouting your self loathing BS

[Guest BewareofNick]

No, it was not appropriate. It was not discreet. It was not professional. Regardless of what you think of your clients, they are paying for you to keep the transaction private.

I once ran an escort service in NYC. Our largest money making weekend was the Republican Convention in Philly. We sent tons of boys down. One came back and we were watching the speeches and his client was on the tv. A very consertative man with deeply religious politics. It was not our business.

Oz, I agree with you to a point. However, haggard was actively campaigning against us while secretly being one of us. That was MORE than worthy of being outed.

I am not advocating outing every gay Republican, just those actively campaigning against us.

[Guest jackhammer91406]

Former pastor Ted Haggard is making the rounds on tv regarding his life since his escort revealed details of their meetings in Denver, including drug use.

My question, what's everyone's opinion on the escort affirmatively revealing this information as a public service to reveal Ted's hyprocrisy re: his public views and pronouncements about gays.

I can't think of a better place to ask this question, since the majority of ads one sees contain the words "discreet," which I assume means that the provider doesn't reveal personal information.

And if you agree with the provider doing it, what's your view on the boundaries for someone doing again?

This is a really interesting question.

I am intrigued by the boundaries that are implied in your question.

The by word for escorts is discreet. Once that is violated an escort's reliability goes out of the window. I agree that preaching anti-gay rhetoric pretty much justifies outing in almost everyone's mind, but if I remember correctly the announcement by the escort in question coincided with the publication of a book. Do I misremember that? In a case like that where the person outing the individual is doing so while on a book tour, the motive seems suspect.

I don't pretend to know the real right and wrong of this issue. Haggard was wrong to teach against homosexuality. I know God does not condemn me for being who HE created. Haggard's struggle with his sexuality was very public because of who he was. Most of us have had to face similar pressures and judgments, but not on TV. This man and others who have influence over believers have condemned gay and lesbian young people and caused many suicides. That's hard to forgive.

There were many sad things about the documentary I saw last night; what this has done to his wife and kids and the sense of unforgiveness from the Christian community. Ironic that a believf system rooted in forgiveness would have so much trouble with the concept. I think it is the major failure of the Christian faith that it has missed the whole lesson on forgiveness. I have always felt that if I do not forgive then it makes a prisoner out of me. There is a parable I used to teach regarding forgiveness. It has to do with how to catch a monkey. Tie a banana to a tree. A monkey will grab the banana and hold it tight in his fist. As long as he holds the banana he cannot get free from the tree. Forgiveness is like that. You have to open your fist to get free. Now I am not suggesting that anyone should be forgiven for being gay I do not believe that being gay requires forgiveness. But hypocrisy, hatred and mendacity all are sins that can and should be forgivable. It's hard to do, but it is what's required if you profess to be a person of faith.

And as gay men, we need to find a way to forgive those who trespass against us and realize that coming out is a difficult thing for many.

Just my two cents worth anyway.