Just when I thought that living on the down low was just a black thing…
Dropping a political bombshell, New Jersey Gov. Jim McGreevey announced his resignation Thursday after revealing that he is gay and that he carried on an adulterous affair with a man.With his wife standing quietly by his side, McGreevey — a father of two — spoke in calm tones as he described his struggle with his sexuality, “a certain sense that separated me from others.” It was something that he said began as a child.
“At a point in every person’s life, one has to look deeply into the mirror of one one’s soul and decide one’s unique truth in the world, not as we may want to see it or hope to see it, but as it is,” McGreevey, a Democrat, said.
“And so, my truth is that I am a gay American,” McGreevey said.
Speaking at a packed news conference in the Statehouse in Trenton, New Jersey, McGreevey admitted to an affair with a man and asked for his family’s forgiveness.
“It was wrong. It was foolish. It was inexcusable,” he said.
And McGreevey said he was stepping down from the state’s highest office.
McGreevey’s resignation will take effect in mid-November.
For the record, I don’t think that McGreevey should resign his post just because he’s gay. It would be best to say that due to the impeding media spectacle that would possibly cripple his sworn duties as governor and impact his wife and kids, he was stepping down in hopes of putting the matter to rest for the good of New Jersey.
Well I’m with you, except I think that if he didn’t mention being gay, the bombshell would have been bigger whenever the court case went public.
It must have been a cumbersome burden to have to stay in the closet to have a successful career in politics.
“I am a gay American”
Is that gay (hyphen) American?
It’s not just because he’s gay. He is about to be sued by a guy for sexual harassment. If it was just that he was gay he’d stay. Being gay is nothing compared to all of scandals and political/fiscal challenges his administration has had to face and he seems to survive. But a law suit is something he feels he can handle as Governor.
Speaking of… there’s some ad out there (I want to say McD’s, but not sure) that advertises getting a burger (or whatever) “on the down low”. I’m not even sure what they think they’re saying.
Joel: Good point.
BH: Thanks for the clarification.
Alienating constituants during a presidential election year would be reasons to step down if you were that partisan.
I would also be curious to see his voting records concerning gay rights and issues. As in did he favor or overcompensate by voting against.
I would be curious how this fits in the gay marriage debate. Or even if now that he’s out of the closet will he make his boyfriend a respectable man.