Everyone’s talking about Madison Cawthorn, the 24-year-old political newcomer currently running to represent North Carolina’s 11th congressional district.
On Tuesday, he beat Donald Trump’s pick, Lynda Bennett, in his state’s Republican primary. If elected in November, he will become the youngest member in Congress.
Since making national headlines this week, the young Republican, who, as far as we know, identifies as straight, has captured the imaginations of gay men across the country, in large part because of his thirsty Instagram page.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BsOyCEPgTra/
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.
https://www.instagram.com/p/ByBw-yqD9Rp/
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bc7f37MhUSP/
Some have begun drawing comparisons between him and Aaron Schock, the former Illinois lawmaker who also has a thirsty Instagram page and who spent his political career pushing antigay legislation only to come out as gay years later after being caught on camera making out with a guy at Coachella and reaching down a man’s pants in Cabo.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B9IW1swDT02/
https://www.instagram.com/p/B0ZY9rWjFtf/
https://www.instagram.com/p/BsQmhs0FXjI/
Here’s what folks are saying…
This is just a reboot of Aaron Schock
— Jake Reif ⚖️ (@JakeReif) June 25, 2020
move over aaron schock, there’s a new flamboyant himbo fascist in town! pic.twitter.com/yy4W6Rv4yd
— qob (@querelleofbros) June 24, 2020
Sweetie…… just another Aaron Schock no doubt
— Sweetie….. (@loub_max) June 24, 2020
He’s the new Aaron Schock. Soulless gays will love anything with a pretty face and abs.
— 🐻🌈✌🏽🤟🏽🖖🏽 (@marcm714) June 25, 2020
Looks like the GOP’s got a new Aaron Schock on their hands
— i’m not a unit of mass (@notaunitofmass) June 24, 2020
Madison Cawthorn is Gen Z’s Aaron Schock. Change my mind.
— Stayinyour Lane (@barrettlane) June 25, 2020
Same old Aaron Schock shit nothing new
— Jensen from Dodge City (@petworthot) June 25, 2020
Not Aaron Schock? pic.twitter.com/rixQJwCSyV
— jay arnold 🎬 (@jadedcreative) June 24, 2020
It should be noted that Cawthorn doesn’t identify as gay and is actually engaged to a woman named Cristina Bayardelle, who he regularly posts photos of to Instagram…
https://www.instagram.com/p/B8kZnqVj8Qo/
https://www.instagram.com/p/B9-XuqQDTqg/
https://www.instagram.com/p/B_vQlCMjFWX/
Now, weaponizing a person’s sexuality never ends well for anyone.
LGBTQ activists have spent years fighting for equality and getting mainstream society to view them as equals. Accusing someone of being gay in an effort to discredit them or bring them shame is counterproductive to decades of hard work.
According to his website, Cawthorn is a “pro Trump, pro life, pro 2nd amendment” Republican who supports religious freedom, opposes universal healthcare, and doesn’t want to let immigrants into the country. He’s also running against a retired Air Force colonel and former judge who is way more qualified for the job.
Surely we can find something to criticize him for other than the fact that he gives off Aaron Schock vibes.
Related: Gay guys are thirsting over GOP newcomer Madison Cawthorn… but should they be?
Cam
“”It should be noted that Cawthorn doesn’t identify as gay and is actually engaged to a woman named Cristina Bayardelle, who he regularly posts photos of to Instagram…””
________________________________________
Really? It should ALSO be noted that Aaron Schock also didn’t identify as gay and posted pictures of himself with women.
Secondly, this is a VERY dangerous narrative pushed by the right wing that some in the LGBTQ community mistakenly absorb once in a while.
If someone is anti-LGBTQ, then I have no problem with outting them, or with whatever information is needed to expose them for the hateful bigot or hypocrites they are.
What this article reminds me of, is after FOX News spent 8 years relentlessly attacking President Obama’s daughters, they started SCREAMING About how nobody should EVER talk about a Presidents kids the SECOND Trump got elected. They tried to yell that about Ivanka and his sons, even though they were in government.
Same here. If this guy is against us, and voting against our rights, then not a single pearl should be clutched over people pointing out his similarity to Schock.
Hdtex
BULLSHIT
one more thing
Lol, Fox News never said anything negative about the Obama girls!
Rock-N-RollHS
I refer to the “narratives” of the extreme right and left as “bedtime stories.” But you seem to be having a good time!
Cam
LOL!! Well Well Well,
All of the typical Right wing troll accounts are frantically trying to attack the very idea that we can speculate that this guy fits the Aaron Schock mold.
I remember ANOTHER time all of the trolls were screaming “HOW DARE WE Speculate that a Republican gave off gay vibes”. They did that about Aaron Schock.
Whenever the trolls are THIS invested in trying to deflect the narrative it’s because they know people are on to something.
Tombear
This guy is Aaron Shock the second. In a few years he will come out as gay. Give it time.
Rock-N-RollHS
Is that what you j.o. to at night? Hmmm, why does homophobia not so discretely inform your thesis?
Cam
@Rock-N-RollHS
Please point out exactly where the comment was homophobic.
Chrisk
The only similarity between Crawford and Schock is that they’re both pretty vain and will do or say anything to get ahead in politics. Crawfords only trying to appeal to his knuckle dragging district. God, guns, saving fetuses, and hatred for anyone different.
jennifer.white530
Just because someone is hot does not mean they are in the closet. Thats like saying if someone is Democrat they support the LGBTQ community. Remember when Clinton and Obama both stated, “A MARRIAGE is between a man and a woman” before they got elected. DEMOCRATS are the racist party founded to keep slavery alive. WAKE UP.. get off the plantation.
Hdtex
Piss off RACIST reich-wing troll
Cam
Awww The racist right wing, anti-LGBT troll is back with the jennifer screename again.
scottjamesmiller
From his Insta- “I like people, food, and my country.”
He might be overqualified.
Rock-N-RollHS
LOL
WSnyder
You shouldn’t care what he looks like, shirt on or off. You shouldn’t care that some ‘hope’ he’s a closet case [which I don’t believe for a second]. You SHOULD care that he supports Trump. Anti-Immigrant, anti-Health-Care, pandemic denier, anti-LGBTQ+. That’s ALL that matters. He’s looking to get elected for a few terms to turn that into political capital. Then he’ll seek to get a cushy job at a large, conservative Federal contractor to make his pile of $, all before he turns 40. He’ll be NO friend to LGBTQ+ causes, ever. Anyone who is LGBTQ+ and supports him because of his looks…is just STUPID.
rbernard
you nailed it – please move to the head of the line.
Invader7
Neither are supportive of the GLBTQ community. NEVER will be . Just self absorbed,soul less USERS. Support at your and the nations peril… They’re republiCON two faced ,back stabbing TRAITORS !!! Regardless of the front they put up… DON’T ever trust hypocrites like those 2 a**holes !!!
innocentgay
It has nothing to do with whether or not he is gay. He is like Aaron Schock because he is a terrible choice to hold office and because he is superficially attractive by the currently predominant standards of the gay male culture in the United States.
I hope to God he is NOT gay, because what is clear is that he is either evil or stupid, which are the only two options for supporters of Pennywise the Dancing Clown.
Heywood Jablowme
“Let’s stop comparing GOP newcomer Madison Cawthorne to Aaron Schock”
I’m sure Queerty will run A LOT more shirtless photos of both of them in order to help us decide NOT to compare them. Lol.
Wicked Dickie
“…He’s the new Aaron Schock. Soulless gays will love anything with a pretty face and abs….” Soulless white gays.
Donston
“Everyone’s talking about Madison Cawthorn”. Not really though. But better believe he and his shirtless Insta pics are about to become Graham/Queerty’s latest obsession.
ricdardc1
. …another AARON for you SCHOCK ABSORBERS with accessories.
Blackceo
Who is this “everyone” that is talking about Madison Cawthorn???
Kangol2
Everyone = Queerty + Log Cabinettes = Nobody, to tell the truth
Rock-N-RollHS
New York Times, FOX News. Wall Street Journal. And here! You know, leaders in NEWS!!
Cam
@Rock-N-RollHS
Except they did one off stories about him simply because he won a primary. But it’s interesting to see how much you’re fangurling over him.
Just like you right wing trolls did for Aaron Schock. Looks like you’re giving away the secret.
Evji108
Don’t know if he is gay or straight, but I don’t care. Either way he is clearly a self absorbed pretty boy. It’s hard to imagine him taking time out of his busy workout schedule to get much government business done. Something tells me he won’t last long.
Creamsicle
I’m not gonna speculate on his sexual orientation. I just want to say that unfortunately, we’ll probably have to learn to deal with “Influencers,” turned politician from now on.
Schock’s glitzy and very gay instagram was abnormal in Congress, especially among Republicans who are both politically and socially conservative. But the new generation of conservatives won’t want to be left out of the pop-culture loop. Getting obnoxious thirst traps to run for office is probably going to become part of the playbook for both major parties.
Which, if you ask me, is just more reason to dump both parties and start voting for alternative parties at the local and state level. Democrats and Republicans both contributed to the mess we’ve made our politics, and they’ve bought into the culture war.
We have 60 varieties of toothpaste, but only 2 viable political parties? That is some grade-A, $10,000 per plate fundraiser, horse shit.
Hdtex
Your WHATABOUTISM is pathetic, and wrong.
Cam
Translation: You’re a Trump supporter.
Creamsicle
It’s not Whataboutism to talk about how both major parties are failures at representation. Are you happy with Congress? Are you actually 100% behind Nancy Pelosi and her embarrassing attempts at pandering? Or squashing all the progressive activism from young people who want a Green New Deal, new infrastructure, and at least an attempt at legislation that could curb the harm done by the Citizens United SCOTUS judgement?
Both major parties are trash. I will hold my nose and vote for Joe Biden come November, but I will also continue to protest, criticize, and march until his handlers finally force him to adopt progressive policy. Can any of you tell me a single thing that Joe Biden actually stands for besides defeating Donald Trump? What actual policy has he been running on?
You don’t need to defend the Democratic Party. It doesn’t determine your values, you do. Stop buying into the top-down dictates of the major parties and start talking to individual people in your community again. Parties should bring people together, not force them to choose sides. I’m not a Trump supporter, but a Trump voter is NOT my enemy unless we both buy into the culture war that tells us that we can never be reconciled.
So go ahead and label me a Trump voter. If that’s your go-to insult, then you’ll let people know really quickly that you’re not interested in an actual dialogue and that talking to you will just feed into the political tribalism that is making us ungovernable.
Onecaddy13
@Creamsicle, I’m with you. Finally someone who can see our politicians for who they really are as I do. You have clearly spell it out for everyone to understand our current office holders are not working for us. Both parties are complicit & they need to go. I totally understand how you feel when you comment, I get it also. Someone will always disagree with you and label you & the name calling begins. Keep it up, I like the way you express yourself. Because like you, most of us can comment without name calling.
richybruce
Since he’s a Republican I’m assuming that huge scar is where they made the incision to remove all his guts and his heart.
SiamSean
Enuf of this SH*T Queerty! Quit going for the obvious, and let that Ahole Schock fade into obscurity as he should.
Cam
Nothing wrong with continuing to parade right wing anti-LGBT hypocrisy out. Schock was a perfect example of the dangers of the Republican party, and the self hating closet cases that go in for it.
one more thing
Nice hit piece queerty……so predictable!
Showrunner
Can we get an article on the two, non problematic, gay men who won their primaries last night? Anything but these homophobic thirst traps. We deserve better.
Kangol2
Queerty’s not really interested because they’re Black (well, two of them at least, one is AfroLatinx at that) so if Queerty does an article they won’t get many comments and few comments means few page views, sad to say. But Queerty should prepare an article about them.
Rock-N-RollHS
@ Kangol2 Yes, I”m sure it’s because they are black. Lol. I thought this was Queer Ebony online! Or is that Queer Essence?
Creamsicle
You expect queerty writers to do a nuanced piece on politics when there’s a nubile white thirst trap nearby? This blog is a perfect microcosm of the modern news cycle. Something young, flashy and easy to link from twitter is gonna get way more clicks than an interviews with a successful primary election campaign.
ScottOnEarth
Just what the world doesn’t need – another entitled, white, narcissistic republican. Who cares what he looks like? Any current-day republican represents homophobia, transphobia, racism and bigotry.
Low Country Boy
I agree with a lot of the comments in this thread, but making snarky comments on his personality when you know absolutely nothing about him is so intellectually dishonest and so effing queen circa 1992. If you ever bothered to go to his political website, you’d know he was in a terrible care accident when he was younger, is now a paraplegic, and is in a wheelchair, so the comments about the scar on his stomach were BS. Believe me, I read his positions on his campaign website as well as those of the Southern Baptist church he belongs to. Believe me, he will be no friend to us, but the guy has been through some sh*t. Why don’t we instead focus on the fact he is 24, never held political office, and is utterly unaccomplished?
armandov
That is all true and you are right. Except, anyone who posts photos after photos after photos after photos of themselves shirtless and in bathing suits can only be viewed as narcissistic not unlike clueless idiots like Kim Kardashian. Regardless of his intellect, he does a complete disservice to himself by presenting himself that way. He is now in the public eye. How he presents himself makes a difference.
Karlis
All I will say about this is that I am a gay who appreciates a good cigar, and if this guy also appreciates a good cigar, then that’s a bonus point in my eyes. Apart from that, I am also a gay who appreciates good looking men, and Mr. Cawthorn is one good looking man. I think the same about Aaron Schock. He, too, is one good looking man. Seeing as how there is no chance in hell that I will ever meet either one of them, largely because I live in Europe, I will leave it at that. Photographs don’t tell me anything about the object’s politics. I will choose just to appreciate and enjoy the beauty.
Kevan1
Some people would sell their soul for a sad piece of it.
blackhook
Schrock & Cawthorn are both pieces of shit …and I say that with full respect for the other normal pieces of shit
Cam
Two LGBT candidates just won their primaries in New York.
Am I to assume we won’t be getting any stories about them?
Onecaddy13
@Cam Congratulations to the LGBT Candidates in NY. You see Cammy, The hypocritical news outlet that you usually get your information from probably feels this is not newsworthy because it’s not filled with lies and conspiracy that they usually print on a daily. And unfortunately, this story in their eyes, is probably not for their readers and just doesn’t sell papers. So clutch your pearls and bash them like you do everyone else. It’s always about money…..
Jon in Canada
I could not care any less if I tried as to whether or not he’s gay or not, let alone comment on his appearance. What I WILL say is this: he’s a far right republican; which, by definition, means he’s cruel, hateful and ugly where it truly matters.
He’s scum, treat him accordingly.
LumpyPillows
I have to admit that the similarities are there and it did cross my mind. He is too young to have any real life experience to enable him to make decisions. The question is if he will be open to new ideas, or be like the older GOP congresspeople who are just absolute stupid monsters.
Joshua333
The difference between them is… Aaron Schock is out.
IWantAFullBeard
Look at the picture of him kissing his GF. He is clearly gay. The question is why someone closeted would intentionally put themselves in the public eye?
Black Pegasus
Can someone keep a running count of how many articles of this guy will be published on Queerty?
armandov
My issue w. him is how narcissistic he is. Here I am w/ no shirt on!! Oh, wait, here I am again w/ no shirt on!! Did I mean to deliberately post another selfie w/ no shirt on?? Whoops!!! What a twat and yes, that level of narcissism is why people think he is gay
Onecaddy13
Will someone put a muzzle on that snapping Chihuahua Cam. As usual, the self analyzing twit is once again giving out incorrect info. Your like a rabid dog always on the attack & full of hate. You may not agree with persons that comment, but Dear lord, let them express their 1st amendment rights without you always needing to comeback with your petty & immature responses. Grow up asswipe.
Onecaddy13
@Creamsicle, AMEN….Well said…. No matter which part of the political spectrum you’re on, we should All be losing our minds at our elected officials for not doing the jobs that we, the American voters put them in. They ALL act like children, They’re filled with hate, play tit for tat, and looking for that gotcha moment. And what’s astonishing is they do it on national TV!! I’m truly ASHAMED of our political figures (both sides) we have in office now and I think it’s time for a change. We should not be bashing each other over stupid photos, we should be bashing the politicians that represent our districts, cities and states.