Is There No End To The Hypocrisy?

Rekers' Rent Boy Scandal - New Disclosures Meet the Political History of the Religious Right

Frederick Clarkson	print page
Thu May 06, 2010 at 05:03:13 PM EST

Behind the scenes Religious Right leader Rev. Dr. George Rekers has certainly emerged from the shadows since the Miami New Times disclosed that his chosen travel companion for ten days in Europe was a male prostitute. Professor George, as he likes to be called, states on his web site, that contrary to the New Times report, he did not find his escort through Rentboy.com, (even though the rent boy himself confirmed it to the New Times)and that he did not have sex with that man. But the story is unlikely to go away any time soon, the efforts of the organizations with which he is most affiliated, not withstanding.  The New Times  reports that the religious right organizations with which he is affiliated are ducking the story; Box Turtle Bulletin reports that the University of South Carolina has erased Rekers from its web site; and the Miami New Times reports on their new  interview with "Lucien" in which he discloses what Rekers was paying for: Rekers allegedly named his favorite maneuver the "long stroke" -- a complicated caress "across his penis, thigh... and his anus over the butt cheeks," as the escort puts it. "Rekers liked to be rubbed down there," he says. The 'they said-he said-he said' story will likely go on for some time -- but while Rekers is in the spotlight, we will also very likely learn a great deal about Rekers' role in the development of the Religious Right, and his role in the development of anti-gay politics and public policies.

Yesterday, William Lindsey disclosed that he has received hundreds of thousands of dollars consulting for several states. Rekers' resumes (links below) also show extensive consulting for the federal government. And according to Rekers' theology resume, (which is separate from his academic curriculum vitae) -- Rekers played a pivotal strategic role in the development of the Religious Right, when he led the formation of James Dobson's Washington political lobby -- the Family Research Council.