Florida’s Governor is featured in a new documentary targeting politicians who fight against LGBT-interest issues, but who are rumored to be closeted themselves. According to the film’s website, OUTRAGE “boldly reveals the hidden lives of some of our nation’s most powerful policymakers, details the harm they’ve inflicted on millions of Americans, and examines the media’s complicity in keeping their secrets.”
The film is directed by Kirby Dick, who was nominated for an Academy Award in 2005 for his documentary Twist of Faith.
One of the politicians profiled in OUTRAGE is Florida Governor Charlie Crist, who recently announced his bid for U.S. Senate. The documentary features two men, shown in silhouette, who say they have spoken to two other men who claim to have had romantic relationships with Crist. In media interviews, Dick has claimed that those sources are backed up by off-the-record sources who confirm the information.
It’s not a new allegation. Accusations about Crists’ sexuality have circulated for years, and intensified online and on radio talk shows during his campaign for governor in 2006. Crist has denied the allegations. He married socialite Carole Rome last year in a move that many speculated was motivated by political ambition.
The Governor’s office did not return calls for comment.
While OUTRAGE criticizes the alleged hypocrisy of closeted politicians touting ant-gay policies, media coverage of the film is also coming under fire. NPR censored the names of the politicians profiled in the film during a review by critic Nathan Lee. NPR has gone on record saying they don’t broadcast speculation about public figures unless there is a compelling reason to do so.
OUTRAGE is in wide release, but it is not presently scheduled for any movie theaters in Tampa Bay or Orlando. The closest current screening is at the Gateway 4 cinema in Fort Lauderdale.
