Newspapers / Q-notes (Charlotte, N.C.) / June 13, 2009, edition 1 / Page 15
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SOUTH CAROLINA Ketner apologizes for *outing’ S.C. Republicans Rock Church Myrtle Beach Openly lesbian pol says U.S., state officials are gay by Matt Comer . Q-Notes staff Linda Ketner, an openly lesbian 2008 South Carolina Democratic candidate for Congress, issued an apology on Friday, June 5, for comments she made claiming three Palmetto State Republicans were closet ed gays. The bombshell state ments were made in a FireDogLake interview on June 1. “We have more gay people serving in South Carolina than probably in any place in the United States; they’re just not out of the closet,” she told blogger Howie Klein. “We have an awful lot of people in the closet — Lindsey Graham, Glenn McConnell who’s our Senate president pro tern, our Lt Governor [Andrd Bauer].” Later in the comment section of the web site, Ketner clarified her remarks, “By the way, in Howie’s intro, he quoted me as saying sev eral members of state and U.S. government were ga)^’ she said. “1 don’t know that for sure, having never been intimate with any of them. Those are the rumors.” Dn June 5, Ketner wrote on her blog: “I’ve always been resolute about never outing any one, believing strongly that every person gets to decide when or if he or she comes out. I let myself and others down in a recent off-the- record chat with a reporter. I obviously don’t have knowledge of the sexual orientation of any individuals mentioned. What I do have is respect and appreciation for their service to this state.” She added, “My sincerest apologies to any of you rightfully upset with me.” Graham, McConnell and Bauer have all been the subject of rumors claiming they are gay. Those rumors have never been confirmed and the three have either denied it or stayed silent. All three are single. In 2002, a divorce Sir Speedy PRINTING • COPYING • DIGITAL NETWORK Fast, Friendly and Courteous Service Printing •Typesetting • High Speed Copying • Binding • Notary • Invi tations • Laminating • Resumes • Business Cards • Full Color Copies • Rubber Stamps • Holy Union Announcements • MUCH MORE! 301 North Caswell Road (Across from Mercy Hospital, comer of 5th St.) (704) 375-8349 / FAX (704) 342-1066 action between Bauer and his wife allegedly accused the official of having an affair with another man. No documents ever surfaced to confirm that rumor. Q-Notes contacted the offices of each of the elected officials and left messages for their spokespersons. Those calls remained unre turned at press time. Washington, D.C., blogger and activist Michael Rogers, who has worked for years outing anti gay, closeted politicians, said individuals should be careful making accusations without certainty or proof. “As always, I support the reporting on closeted, anti-gay politicians who work against the interest of the gay communit)^’ he told Q-Notes.“l am careful to only report on cases of which 1 have 100 percent confidence and encourage others to not use rumors, whether longstanding or recent, as a basis for outing.” Rogers, whose work is show cased in the 2009 film “Outrage,” said South Carolinians should do the appropri ate research into allegedly closeted politicians’ records and actions and have all the facts before going public with any evidence. Ketner’s race against Brown was historic. If successful, she wodd have been the state’s first openly gay or lesbian elected official, along with Charleston’s Nick Shalosky, who won a seat on a constituent school board through a write-in candidacy. Ketner lost her race 52 percent to 48 percent. She is being encouraged to try again in 2010.1 Private Christian Commitment Cerenibnies Pre-registration and pre-payment is required by June 24. Package includes: • Commitment Certificate • Pre-marital counseling • A pre-decorated Chapel tent with air conditioning • A bouquet and or boutonniere • Music • Accommodations for up to 6 guests in attendance for ceremony For more information and pricing, visit www.rockchurchmyrtlebeach.com. What a wonderful way to spend your special day in Myrtle Beach at Red, White, and Pride 2009 at the TYain Depot. 736 8th Ave. North • Myrtle Beach, SC 29577 E-mail: rockchurchmb@aol.com • Tel: (843) 283-0918 “We are a non-jenominational Christ-centered church where ALL are welcome.” ^online q-poll^ Vote at www.q-notes.com Does openly gay Charlotte City Council candidate Owen Sutkowski have a chance at beating incumbent Patsy Kinsey? CHAREESTQN 221 Ashley Avenue ~ Historic Downtown Charleston CharlestonChapel.com filvil Unions & Ceremonies’^ JUNE l3.2009*([jNotes 15
Q-notes (Charlotte, N.C.)
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June 13, 2009, edition 1
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