Schock The Monkey

No Me Digas. Op-Ed: Keith Price

In the middle of the CoronaVirus Outbreak, the crashing of the global economic market, and the definite lack of competent leadership to navigate many of the other current emergencies, former Rep. Aaron Schock decided to come out of the closet. The idea that Schock would try to shock us about being gay, especially with his Downton Abbey inspired congressional office, seems a little shifty. You’d think that it certainly would have been bigger headlines, but only for a certain concerned, catty, and thirsty few.

The news was met with a mixed bag of emotions. My sweet friend, Adam Sank, wrote a fantastic open letter, expressing how many of us felt:

“Congratulations on coming out, Aaron. I think I can speak for most LGBTQ people when I say that we can identify completely with the fear, loneliness, and struggle that come with speaking one’s truth…What we cannot identify with is your becoming a U.S. Congressman and then voting against LGBTQ rights while you were in office. You didn’t just “take the position” of opposing marriage equality. You actually voted in favor of adding a Constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage.” -ADAM SANK, comedian

Adam goes on to do what many of us felt was a well thought out, well-informed, and articulately bitchy read. The finger snaps heard throughout the community were plentiful and strong. How can you argue against his point? To have someone now seeking refuge in a discriminated group, while actively having worked on legislation against that same group is still baffling to me. In 2020, the self-loathing in which many members of our community still bathe themselves is unreal.

We all know the decision to come out is always with the individual.

There are so many factors that are involved. As a comedian, I had to find a way to have it make sense to me, too. Of course, after the dogpile, there came a lone voice in the distance, Michael Aycox. He’s a former United States House of Representatives “candidate”, United States Navy Veteran, and an advocate for change. He holds an MA in Strategic Communication and Campaign Management. He’s also the founder of One Mississippi, an organization whose purpose is to break down divisiveness and advocate for those whose voices have been silenced. Oh yeah, I forgot. He’s also gay.

He recently wrote an op-ed piece calling on the LGBT community to show forgiveness to Aaron Schock:

“What Aaron Schock lost on March 5, 2020, was not so different than what so many in the LGBTQ community experience throughout their lives: familial rejection, negative stereotypical statements, and a damned career. This once Republican Prince had officially fallen. It brought him far away from the party doctrine he once devoutly protected. It was a betrayal of his accolades of conservatism, but it was real…I do not propose loving him because he is pretty. I suggest loving him because, in many ways, he is not so different than you and me. Our community has enough hatred.” – Michael Aycox

I love how Aycox calls him a fallen “Republican Prince” and making sure to note that he is “pretty”. The fact that he even puts that kind of imagery in his defense tells me that if Aaron Schock looked like Woody Allen, then his op-ed piece might have had a different tone. I noticed that Mr. Aycox made no mention of how we should also forgive Jussie Smollett. Could it be because Mr. Aycox is from Mississippi? In some circles, Mr. Smollett would certainly be sexualized, but he might have to wait a long time for talks of forgiveness from that same circle. He is certainly having a hard time, too.

In comparing both Schock’s and Smollett’s transgressions, one must be objective. Paying someone to beat your ass in the cold Chicago streets while claiming it was a hate crime in order to get noticed on your TV show, is a bit much. His crime of wasting law enforcement’s time is a separate issue. It’s true that his wolf crying affects the next LGBT person, especially people of color, who find themselves in the same situation for real. It was a selfish and shortsighted act, but he took advantage of an ALREADY racist and homophobic society. He did not create it. Don’t hate the player. Hate the game.

As an elected official, Aaron Schock was actively working to enact legislation that would affect EVERY member of the LGBTQ community. He protected the Republican doctrine in order to advance as their prince, I mean princess. It’s also a selfish and shortsighted act, however, the impact of one over the other seems undeniable. Had it not been for a federal probe to slow his roll, along with his interior decorating tastes, and his latent desire to be a thirst trap on Instagram, he probably would still be in the closet.

No one should tell the LGBTQ community to forgive and forget the harm he caused as an elected leader on institutional issues important to LGBTQ people.

Many of which, he will benefit from now that he is out. However, if he ends up at some major Pride event as some sort of celebrated speaker or grand marshall, then we will continue to be doormats for a six-pack and an ass on which you can bounce a quarter.

But here’s the truth. If THAT man came up to you in a bar and tried to pick you up, you would at least let him talk to you — right?. Possibly let him buy you a drink? Most definitely take him back to your room? But, here are the “search your soul” questions: If you already know his political leanings, then how long can you avoid talking politics? How long can you keep a conversation political before you are absolutely repulsed enough to walk away? My only solace is that Aaron Schock and I will probably never be in the same room. If by chance it does happen, then because of his Instagram account I already know that I am not his type. He is definitely NOT an ebony loving, chubby chaser.