2006-12-28 23:01:48 · 7 answers · asked by gazoo 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Cultures & Groups ➔ Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender
If Gerald Ford didn't attend the man's funeral it was inexcusable regardless of his sexual orientation. Someone who's willing to take a bullet for you deserves your presence at his funeral.
2006-12-28 23:49:27 · answer #1 · answered by Debra D 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I will answer by telling the whole story:
Ford's life was saved by Oliver Sipple, a former Marine who lunged at Moore, deflecting the intended bullet. Sipple was instantly commended but the incident inspired curiosity about the former soldier and it was revealed by Harvey Milk that he was a gay man, a fact that was not known by either his employer or his family. The resulting attention (Harvey Milk, who wanted to show that gay men were not all child molesters and perverts, anointed him a gay hero, inspiring a widely-syndicated write-up from noted columnist Herb Caen) freaked his mother enough to cause her to disown him. At the time Sipple pleaded with reporters: "I want you to know that my mother told me today she can't walk out of her front door because of the press stories...My sexual orientation has nothing to do with saving the President's life."
Sipple battled the "outing" in court for the next nine years, a battle that was never won. It may have cost the man his sanity. Sipple was found in his San Francisco apartment in February 1989 next to a bottle of booze. Alcoholic and obese, he had been dead for two weeks.
Gerald Ford did not attend the funeral and instead sent family and friends a letter of condolence. He was criticized by some who said that were Sipple heterosexual he would have been treated differently. Ford told journalist Deb Price in a 2001 interview: "As far as I was concerned, I had done the right thing and the matter was ended. I didn't learn until sometime later — I can't remember when — he was gay. I don't know where anyone got the crazy idea I was prejudiced and wanted to exclude gays."
2006-12-28 23:11:02 · answer #2 · answered by BuckFush 5 · 4⤊ 0⤋
We are fortunate to live in a time when we are allowed to
express our feelings. Our elders didn't have that luxury.
Is our self-righteousness today any better than their denial?
2006-12-28 23:05:17 · answer #3 · answered by Master_of_Psyche 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because he is from East Grand Rapids, the most christian conservative ritzy area I know of, lol.
2006-12-28 23:36:58 · answer #4 · answered by arielsalom33 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Typical Republican craziness.
At least after he died he put Bush in his place about this stupid war.
2006-12-29 03:25:24 · answer #5 · answered by ? 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Maybe he was busy?
2006-12-28 23:04:13 · answer #6 · answered by Albert H 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
because he was unable to, perhaps?
2006-12-29 02:19:32 · answer #7 · answered by unclefrunk 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋