Oh, hypocrisy… how I love you! Republican state representative Wes Goodman (87th District – OH), was elected last year after serving as aide to Jim Jordan, a very conservative, anti-LGBTQ Republican. Goodman, 33, didn’t last long in his position, though. The man people called the “conscience of the conservative movement” resigned recently over “inappropriate conduct.”
Oh, hypocrisy… how I love you! Republican state representative Wes Goodman (87th District – OH), was elected last year after serving as aide to Jim Jordan, a very conservative, anti-LGBTQ Republican. Goodman, 33, didn’t last long in his position, though. The man people called the “conscience of the conservative movement” resigned recently over “inappropriate conduct.”
What did he do that was so inappropriate? According to a non-employee observer, Goodman was having a good time in his office… with someone not his wife. In fact, the ultra-conservative Goodman was happily engaging in gay sex (no details or videos, contrary to rumors). The observer reported Goodman’s indiscretion to Mike Dittoe, the Ohio House Chief of Staff. Mr. Dittoe informed House Speaker Cliff Rosenberger (R) who met with Goodman. Shortly after that meeting, Goodman tendered his official, two-sentence letter of resignation. In his letter, Goodman stated that it was the “greatest honor of my life to serve the constituents of the 87th House District.” Well, we know it wasn’t honoring his wedding vows, that’s for sure.
Mr. Rosenberger said of the meeting, “I was alerted to details yesterday afternoon [November 14] regarding his involvement in inappropriate behavior related to his state office. I met with him later in the day where he acknowledged and confirmed the allegations. It became clear that his resignation was the most appropriate course of action for him, his family, the constituents of the 87th House District and this institution.”
Allegations of extramarital affairs with men, and even of fondling a teenager, have been popping up since 2016; this latest is the only one Goodman admitted is true, despite screenshots of sexually suggestive messages sent to several men. Some reports even suggest that many others in the state legislature knew of the allegations, and had spoken to Goodman about them. He denied all allegations, even when confronted with the screenshots, which he insisted were faked.
Let me make one thing crystal clear: I don’t care who does what to whom; that is something between the parties involved and their consciences. However, (and this is an important point) if you come out trying to trash other people’s rights, and then turn around and do the very thing you say you’re against, you are fair game. My usual laissez-faire attitude toward your indiscretions gets checked at the door, along with any claims you may have to be free of judgment for your hypocrisy. Also, important to note is that one’s political affiliations don’t matter to me, either. Goodman could have been a Democrat for all I care. The thing that matters most is the hypocrisy.
Here are some things to note about Mr. Goodman:
- His Twitter bio states that he is “Christian. American. Conservative. Republican. Husband to @Beth1027.” Mrs. Goodman is the assistant director of the annual anti-abortion rally, March for Life.
- He regularly claims that “natural marriage” is only between a man and a woman.
- His campaign website (now taken down) stated, “Healthy, vibrant, thriving, values-driven families are the source of Ohio’s proud history and the key to Ohio’s future greatness,” and “The ideals of a loving father and mother, a committed natural marriage, and a caring community are well worth pursuing and protecting.”
Goodman’s Twitter account has been set to private and his Facebook page has been taken down. One wonders if he deleted his Grindr account, too…
That last is pure speculation, of course, and very much tongue-in-cheek. Besides, it’s fairly well documented that Craigslist “Men seeking Men” ads shot through the roof at the 2016 Republican National Convention. Not to mention that fiscally conservative RNC attendees were making it rain with highly-paid male escorts at the same convention. Not so for their female counterparts who actually reported a decline in business.
It appears that Craigslist is the go-to method for R’s seeking the D. But, I digress…
Goodman’s public statement is laughable, given his views on LGBTQ issues. He said, “We all bring our own struggles and our own trials into public life. That has been true for me, and I sincerely regret that my actions and choices have kept me from serving my constituents and our state in a way that reflects the best ideals of public service. For those whom I have let down, I’m sorry. As I move onto the next chapter of my life, I sincerely ask for privacy for myself, my family, and my friends.”
Hmmm…
So, we’re just supposed to ignore the fact that Goodman likes the D, but hates those to whom it’s attached? LGBTQ marriage equality is abhorrent, but getting down in his office with another guy is fine? Yeah, that’s a big “nope” from me. When Goodman took the mantle of public office, and then worked so hard to push “family values” down everyone else’s throat, he became what is, to me, the worst kind of hypocrite: one who actively works against other people for doing the same thing he’s doing himself.
Though I don’t agree with her values, I do feel sorry for Goodman’s wife. How shocking it must have been for her to discover her husband’s secret life, and in such a public manner. I’m sure the holidays are going to be less-than-festive for her and their family this year. But, as to his request for privacy, if he wanted such, the appropriate thing would be to not conduct sexual affairs in his office. Better still, he could have honored the vows he wanted to deny the rest of us and kept it in his pants.
Struggles and trials… Being LGBTQ in a less-than-hospitable environment really is a struggle. I grew up in a very conservative small town, I know how it goes. However, Goodman did not have to make the decision to work against LGBTQ rights. He could easily have taken up the fight for his people (and I don’t mean his constituents). Sexuality is not an on/off switch deal. Regardless of what Goodman tells the public, or his family and friends, the simple truth is that he is attracted to the same, as well as the opposite, gender. That will never change as long as he draws breath. Whether he chooses to act on it may change, but the feelings themselves are an integral part of him.
Shakespeare wrote, in Hamlet, that “The lady doth protest too much.” Over time, the phrase’s meaning has changed. Nowadays, it’s taken to mean that the more a person denies something, the more likely it is that they’re actually hiding the fact that they’re doing it. Perhaps, Goodman’s staunch anti-LGBTQ stance is simply bluster meant to hide his own feelings? If he’s seen as a fierce opponent to LGBTQ rights, perhaps no one will discover his true identity?
These are popular theories, to be sure. They may even hold some truth. However, just like “pray the gay away,” they are smokescreens, obstacles to self-acceptance. Goodman’s public downfall will have far-reaching consequences in his life. Does he deserve them? Yes. Can he make a good life for himself despite this revelation? Yes.
It’s going to take a lot of bravery and soul searching, though. Frankly, given Goodman’s history of avoiding such things, it’s unclear what will happen next.
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