Senator's restroom sex scandal sheds light on "demonization" of sexual minorities, suggests clinical psychologist

Aug. 31, 2007 -- Sen. Larry Craig's arrest for alleged gay overtures in a Minneapolis restroom may spell the end of his political career, but some in the lesbian, gay and bisexual community are hoping the scandal has a silver lining.

"Regardless of Larry Craig's true sexual orientation, the real story here is the extremes that some people must go through to hide their real self from a hostile society," says James Reid, a clinical psychologist who studies sexual identity and prejudice at Washington University in St. Louis.

Larry Craig

"These sorts of encounters take place in the shadows because the social forces of hate are so strong and because people have allowed themselves to be manipulated by the politics of fear and exclusion," Reid says. "My biggest concern is the effect that the demonization of sexual orientation has on people in this culture."

Reid, a senior lecturer and clinical supervisor in psychology in Arts & Sciences, provides private counseling services for gay, lesbian and bisexual clients who are struggling with personal challenges related to adjusting to a stigmatized identity. For the last decade, he has taught a course at Washington University on "Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Identity Development."

The Craig scandal, says Reid, should force us all to re-evaluate how sexual minorities are treated in a society dominated by heterosexual values.

"The issue that should be getting more attention in the coverage of Larry Craig is the secrecy and deceptiveness that our society forces on the homosexual community," he contends. "In my practice, I talk to all sorts of people who are struggling to be free with who they are, people who are afraid to 'come out of the closet' in a hostile work or social environment."

Reid sees a clear double standard in how society reacts to public figures involved in homosexual vs. heterosexual sex scandals, noting that Republican Sen. David Vitter of Louisiana has faced few repercussions from his alleged use of the "D.C. Madam's" escort service. There's also a wide variance, he notes, in how police enforce societal norms of what constitutes appropriate sexual behavior.

For media assistance, contact Gerry Everding, University Communications, Washington University in St. Louis: 314-935-6375; gerry_everding@wustl.edu.