Proposed sitcom title: "Jesus & Crist"

Speaking of gay Republicans ...

Yesterday, blogger and columnist Bob Norman of the Broward-Palm Beach New Times published another exposé on the subject of the governor's sexual orientation, as Crist's name continues to be floated as a possible running mate for Huggy Bear.

The story goes that the Florida governor frequented the Green Iguana, a bar in Tampa, back in the early 1990s when he was just starting his political career. He was less careful back then, people say, and during his partying at the Green Iguana, he was openly gay.

When I got Rick Calderoni, the bar's well-known owner, on the phone, I expected him to stonewall me about it.

He didn't.

Calderoni, who is gay, confirmed that Crist came into his bar quite often and that the two of them became friends.

Getting to the point, I asked him if he knew Crist to be gay.

"Yes," he answered bluntly. "I just wish he would come out and admit it. That would be a great thing if he did."

I asked Calderoni if he was certain that Crist is gay. He told me that Crist socialized with a gay clique of friends but conceded that he'd never actually seen Crist become intimate with another man.

So how can he be sure Crist is gay?

"The way he acted," Calderoni said.

How did he act?

Calderoni laughed and said, "Very feminine."

True, it's never been confirmed beyond statements by observers and, in a couple of cases, claims by men who allegedly had affairs with Crist. But this isn't going away anytime soon.

And, for the record, I think it's a shame. I don't care one way or the other whether or not Gov. Crist, or any politician, is gay. What I care about is hypocrisy: if a gay politician consistently votes or speaks out against gay rights, gay marriage, etc., then the truth ought to come out. Not to emphasize sexuality, but to emphasize hypocrisy.

The real shame is that one's sexual orientation remains a topic for tabloidish speculation -- and for many, derision -- in 2008.

(h/t Ybor City Stogie)