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Jim West, 55, the former mayor of Spokane, Washington, who was recalled from office in 2005 because of an Internet gay-sex scandal, died Saturday. The cause was complications from recent cancer surgery, the Associated Press reports.
7 Comments:
The actions of Mr. West were vile and disgusting however, at the same time, his is a textbook case of how destructive the closet is to gay and lesbian people. His obituary should definitely reflect how a man so tortured worked against his very nature.
posted by Anonymous, at
7/24/2006 9:20 AM
No - they were his beliefs that drove him to destructive behavior not anyone else's beleiefs. He chose to fight against gays and then partake in homosexual behavior. There are other people with better character that choose to come out of the closet and live. There are those who chose to withold and still are people of fine character. No one did this to this man except himself. Don't blame others for his behavior.
posted by Anonymous, at
7/24/2006 2:20 PM
Actually, I disagree. I do blame others. I blame a society that makes it impossible for a man or woman to be who they are without the probability of riducule or worse. The closet is a dark and lonely place. It's sad that a gay man should have to feel the need to attack what he is and wear a mask of heterosexuality when in reality, he only wishes for happiness with a member of his own gender. He died without achieving that happiness. He deserves pity. Nothing more.
posted by jekelhyde, at
7/25/2006 11:43 PM
The closet is a choice. You either choose to live fully and freely or in fear. "A life lived in fear, is a life half lived".
When Oscar Wilde went on trial for his homosexuality, people said that he should stay in the closet. Maybe back then there was not choice, but see Jim McGreevy, from New Jersey, he is a true hero who dared to come out and start living.
posted by Anonymous, at
7/26/2006 12:42 PM
Not everyone is that strong. Be glad that you are strong enough to face down those who would inhibit your life. Pity those who arent.
posted by jekelhyde, at
7/26/2006 4:28 PM
