For years, celebrities have both feared and embraced the so-called dreaded gay rumor that gets stamped on every person who gets a bit of fame in the media. But while some celebs may be uncomfortable with people questioning their sexuality, Newark, N.J., mayor Cory Booker claims that he’s completely fine with it.
In a recent interview with the Washington Post, Booker, who is 44 and unmarried and recently won the Democratic primary for a special upcoming Senate election, discussed his dating life, saying that it is to his “great dismay” that “I have not settled down with a life partner.”
But Booker also discusses his notorious reluctance to open up in detail about his private dating life and challenges the homophobic rumors about his sexuality.
“Because how unfair is it to a young lady to put them in the spotlight if they haven’t signed up for that yet?” he says. “And people who think I’m gay, some part of me thinks it’s wonderful. Because I want to challenge people on their homophobia. I love seeing on Twitter when someone says I’m gay, and I say, ‘So what does it matter if I am? So be it. I hope you are not voting for me because you are making the presumption that I’m straight.’”
We say kudos to Booker for being comfortable in his own sexuality and also defending the sexuality of others. More celebrities should be as cool and comfy in their skin as he. Luckily, he’s not the only politician who publicly defends the LGBT community. Check out some other political allies below.
–nicholas robinson
