South Carolina
Lieutenant Governor Andre Bauer has called rumors he is gay “silly.”
The
conservative Republican has dodged rumors of his sexual orientation
for years, but early last week, activist blogger Mike Rogers, who
claims a perfect outing record, called Bauer “a closeted anti-gay
politician” in a blog post at blogactive.com.
Bauer, who assumed office in 2003 after serving in both chambers of
the Legislature, often appears alongside of anti-gay former
presidential candidate Mike Huckabee.
By the end of the
week, state Senator Jake Knotts accused Governor Mark Sanford and his
supporters of planting the rumor that Bauer is gay, and urged
lawmakers to impeach Sanford in a letter addressed to legislators.
Sanford, a
Republican, continues to resist calls to step down over an
embarrassing sex scandal. Bauer, who is next in line for the
governor's mansion, recently joined the chorus of elected officials
calling for Sanford's resignation. Knotts called the rumor's timing
into question, saying it is “obviously not a coincidence.”
On Friday, Bauer
told Charleston NBC affiliate WCBD, News 2, that the rumors were
“silly.”
“I don't really
think it's a proper question,” Bauer said. “I think it's a
little bit ridiculous and it's sad that politics has gotten to that.”
Bauer said he
answered the question because he “doesn't want it to linger,”
adding he wants to “talk about real issues.”
Likely to replace
Sanford should he resign or be removed is Bauer, who in July went on
the offensive, and without provocation denied rumors that he is gay.
“One
word, two letters. 'No.' Let's go ahead and dispel that now,”
Bauer said in an interview with The
State, then added, “Is
Andre Bauer gay? That is now the story. We're a long way from where
we were a week ago.”
Rogers' work recently appeared in
Director Kirby Dick's controversial documentary Outrage. The
film looks at the lives of gay politicians who remain deep in the
closet and actively support an anti-gay agenda.
On his post,
Rogers cites several unnamed sources as confirming Bauer's sexual
orientation, including one man who says: “I've had sex with him on
two separate occasions.”
Knotts, however,
vouched for Bauer's heterosexuality, telling CNN: “Ain't a
homosexual bone in his body. That boy is a good boy.”