Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano is the subject of Deborah Soloman's latest column in The New York Times magazine. Two weeks ago Solomon published that lackluster interview with NAACP's Benjamin Jealous, this week she makes up for it with some interesting questions on the color-coded terror alert system, the right-wing extremism report Napolitano was forced to walk back ... oh and those persistent lesbian rumors.
Men don’t know what to make of women
who choose to be single. Rumors of lesbianism have dogged women in
politics like you, Condoleezza Rice and Ann Richards.
Right. I
think the more people get to know a person, the less that becomes an
issue. It’s interesting. In Arizona when I first ran for public office,
that’s when the rumors were going around, and of course I’m sure they
go around now.
In 2002, during your gubernatorial campaign, you publicly denied rumors that you were a lesbian.
I just happen not to be married.
Are you seeing anybody now?
Yes, my staff.
This is the first time in memory that Secretary Janet Napolitano was publicly asked about the rumors by the mainstream news media. But quite the diplomatic response, no?
(via AMERICAblog Gay)
I don't think she is a lesbian, since there are many millions of women who just don't have a sex drive and actually are devoted to their jobs and just don't care about a relationship. Con-do-lee-za? Well, don't know about her, but, someone said she does own her house in Palo Alto with a woman, which is odd as she makes more than enough money to have bought a place by herself, and, its not as if she is getting a good tax exemption by buying it with someone else since being gay, not able to marry or have the fed's accept the marriage if it is allowed in a state for tax purposes.
Posted by: Luther | 17 August 2009 at 09:50
Whatever I think they're both lesbians and should just come out with it. I still didn't hear "I'm not a lesbian" and the interviewer was wrong for bringing up a previous denial which informed the question and created an escape route
Posted by: tj | 17 August 2009 at 11:09
How many other cabinet secretaries have been asked directly about their sexuality? Certainly there were rumors about Condoleeza Rice, but I don't recall her ever being asked directly by the media. I think it was unprofessional for Soloman to ask that question. What does it have to do with her job responsibilities or the safety of this country from terrorist attacks or other disasters? She's not an entertainer who makes a living off of perpetuating a certain sexual image. She answered the question years ago, so just let it go.
Posted by: Ravenback | 17 August 2009 at 11:26
I really liked her answers. Very "get outta my face", but in a professional manner:-)
Posted by: Diva1961 | 17 August 2009 at 13:50
If she isn't advocating anything against the GLBTs then there is no purpose of this line of questioning. I know of quite a few women with zero sex drives as well and they are sometimes married, so it is what it is.
Posted by: kayman | 17 August 2009 at 14:35
The point of bringing up the prvious denial was to give her asecond opportunity to deny it again, as a cabinet officer.
I notice that she neglected to do so.
If it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, it might just be a dyke!
Posted by: Mad Professah | 17 August 2009 at 15:58
I'm very sorry. I think that was RUDE!!!!!
I could care less if she is! Allow her to do her job!
Posted by: MRCHOCOLATE615 | 17 August 2009 at 16:19