Last weekend, a series of screenshots from a revealing video allegedly featuring former U.S. representative Aaron Schock emerged online that resulted in Twitter temporarily suspending several accounts of those sharing the images.
Then on Wednesday, a barrage of new even more x-rated photos allegedly featuring the ex-lawmaker in a number of very compromising positions hit the web. Many of them clearly showed his face. Twitter removed the images and suspended the accounts of those circulating them as well.
Now, there are few fans of Aaron Schock in the queer community. The guy has been out enjoying freedoms won through the sweat and blood of a community he directly harmed at every step of his political career through homophobic legislation.
While that’s definitely frustrating, at what point do we go from pointing out Schock’s hypocrisy to simply engaging in revenge porn?
To be sure, Schock is a public figure who should be held accountable for the discrepancy between public voting record and his private life.
Last month, Queerty ran several stories about Schock making out with a dude in broad daylight at Coachella. That was something he did out in the open for everyone to see, and so we saw no problem in reporting it.
But publishing personal photos he shared privately with another person in confidence is treacherous territory. In fact, it borders on revenge porn.
45 states plus Washington, D.C. and one U.S. territory have laws against revenge porn, also known as nonconsensual pornography, which is defined in California, the state where Schock resides, as:
Revenge porn laws are designed to protect people. All people. Even self-loathing closeted Republicans who we don’t like.
And while we may not agree with Schock’s past stated political beliefs (we don’t know where he stands on LGBTQ issues today), we do agree with the belief that everyone should be treated equally under the law.
Schock has been out of office for almost as long as he was in office. Since resigning in disgrace in 2015, he has kept a very low profile and, from what we can tell, is no longer politically active with little to no chance for a political comeback. Greg In Hollywood reported in March that he is “living in a small Beverly Hills apartment, working on converting an office building near Los Angeles International Airport into a luxury hotel.”
At this point, perhaps it’s time we ask ourselves: What do we really want from Aaron Schock? Do we want an apology? Do we want him to come out publicly? Do we want him to join our fight? And, if so, do we really expect him to after we’ve shared and reshared his bedroom selfies?
There’s no denying that Schock has made a lot of very poor decisions, both professionally and in his personal life. And we’re not defending a single one of them. But disseminating private videos and photos can hardly be a helpful addition to this saga.
Here’s a thought: Maybe it’s time for Aaron to simply speak a bit of truth. And for us to show we’re willing to listen.
