Cory Booker, the Newark mayor whose election to the U.S. Senate seems a mere formality at this point, knows you are wondering if he is gay. And he’s okay if you think he is. In an interview with the Washington Post, the New Jersey Democrat acknowledges to his “great dismay” that he hasn’t had much of a personal life. “I have not settled down with a life partner,” Booker says, which is an interesting choice of words, considering that “wife” is also available.
At some point, overwhelmed by the murder toll in Newark, Booker says that he turned to a pastor friend for advice. “You need to get married,” the pastor said.
However, Booker says he knows that the media glare would be hard for anyone he dates. “Because how unfair is it to a young lady to put them in the spotlight if they haven’t signed up for that yet?” he says.
That has led inevitably to speculation about Booker’s orientation, which Booker freely embraces. “And people who think I’m gay, some part of me thinks it’s wonderful. Because I want to challenge people on their homophobia. I love seeing on Twitter when someone says I’m gay, and I say, ‘So what does it matter if I am? So be it. I hope you are not voting for me because you are making the presumption that I’m straight.’?”
How about we take this to the next level?
Our newsletter is like a refreshing cocktail (or mocktail) of LGBTQ+ entertainment and pop culture, served up with a side of eye-candy.
Interestingly, earlier this year when a college newspaper column that Booker wrote in 1992 about coming to terms with gay rights surfaced, his own spokesperson refused to comment to Gawker on the question of whether Booker was gay. Consensus in that office was that he is not.
Hermes
I have several straight friends who are well educated and progressive who refer to their wives or husbands as partners or life-partners until EVERYONE in the US has the same rights.
Teleny
@Hermes: same here. That’s the language of an ally. Bi think this guy may be elected president someday-very charismatic.
HirsuteOne
I thought he was gay.
GlitterKidder
Wait, he’s not gay. Oh no! We want him on our team! Maybe he will subject himself to conversion therapy? I’ll volunteer my services. That is if he truly isn’t already gay, I’m not convinced.
andy_d
Gay-shmay. The man is a consummate politician. more importantly, he is an effective LEADER!
boring
With this dude and the wrestler guy, the Who Fucking Cares? movement marches strong and proud.
Kangol
What is up? Every time I post on CB I get flagged.
Let’s try again:
Co•ry Boo•ker is a dreamboat.
I just hope when he’s elected that he represents New Jer•sey’s 99 percent and not just his 1 percent backers.