A Twist

From olden days, I remember a pejorative term for homosexuals to be the word "twist".  In this story the word has dual applications.

1. Aidan Maese-Czeropski and his partner were recorded having homosexual relations in the Capital building. In this case the twists are the gay guys.
2.  The linked article "Fired for his act of love in the senate" says enough in the title, twisting the issue into an attack on the LGBQT right of love.  To that, I call bullshit, anybody of any sexual orientation should be fired if they are a documented as having sex on Federal grounds, especially if they are on the clock being paid. ANYBODY.  Even Bill Clinton deserved the inquiry an impeachment he received for the escapade with Monica Lewinski. He was acquitted by the Senate, but the matter was adjudicated.

Here is the article copied and pasted, comments added in blue italic.

Fired for his act of love in the senate

Aidan Maese-Czeropski's act was symbolic and brave, because in a world full of hate, displays of love are rebellious. We shouldn't bend over (poor choice of words, possibly intentional) to a party that hates; we must do the opposite.  

BY AFRU STAFF

So, it’s official. Senator Ben Cardin’s office has told Politico that “Aidan Maese-Czeropski is no longer employed by the US Senate.” Goaded by demagogic republicans (Cardin is a Democrat, if as suggested he must be weak minded to be so easily influenced. Nope it is far more likely that a man elected to the Senate has strength to make his own decisions. Stop trying to blame this on Republicans), the Capitol police has now also opened an investigation.  

As republicans pounce (term used by many in the media these days, it generally means that conservative has identified an obvious and embarrassing characteristic) on an opportunity to destroy young activist Aidan Maese-Czeropski, the discourse around the senate hearing room love display raises serious questions about the ongoing challenges faced by the LGBTQ community.

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve already seen the viral video (nope, have no need, thank you) making the rounds on every social media feed there is. Republicans just can’t stop watching the 8 second clip featuring two men embracing each other in love while you can briefly see an empty room in the background.

It turns out one of the lovemaking men was Aidan Maese-Czeropski, and the room was recognized by some as the senate (lewd behavior in a Federal building) hearing room. 

We get it. It’s the most important room in America. It was in this very room that Sonia Sotomayor herself had her confirmation hearing, and won despite an entire oligarchy reorienting itself to wipe her out (is that unlike some of the unethical crap that Senators Leahy and Biden pulled during their tenures on the Judiciary panel?). This is also where James Comey exposed the Russian interference in the 2016 elections (proven to be a big fat lie, constructed by Hillary's apparatchiks), to the chagrin of the treason party.

But in a world built on hate, displays of love are inherently rebellious (unlikely that it was a rebellion, more likely that it was two uncontrolled adults breaking the law). Every second that Aidan and his partner made love in the halls of power was pregnant with poignant meaning (sex in Federal building is nowhere in the vicinity of poignant).

And in a time when the LGBTQ community is under existential threat by white fragility feeling threatened (I am neither fragile nor threatened, only irritated by this insipid article), open displays of LGBTQ culture are necessarily brave (and often unnecessarily obscene). In some ways, Aidan’s act mirrored that of Anne Frank, (Anne Frank, hid from the Nazis who sought to kill all like her they could find, so not anything like Anne Frank, at all) who dared to express her honest thoughts and feelings (her writing was not published until after the Nazis killed her) even as she hid from rabid insurrectionist-style (so protestors are the same as Nazi murder squads, I don't think so) death squads.

The dismissal has sparked a familiar conversation about the boundaries of personal expression and the repercussions faced by those who challenge the status quo. But because Aidan is from the LGBTQ community, he could stand to lose so much more than money, reputation, or career.

Let’s recognize the fallout from the incident for what it is: a stochastic far right attack on gay rights activists. As republicans fire up their hate machine in preparation for the 2024 elections, Aidan’s very life is now on the line. Let’s not fool ourselves. Right-wing attacks will scream with ever increasing pitch from darkweb radio stations and social media channels until some insurrectionist nutjob picks up a gun and the intended consequences have become fait accompli.  I am sensing a fair bit of irrational hate on the author's part for people of the right.

Now more than ever, we need to circle the wagons around (opportunity for a humorous pejorative) Aidan Maese-Czeropski, and say with a unison voice:

Aidan’s termination by Senator Ben Cardin (Democrat Maryland), is an affront to individual freedoms, as it sends a chilling message about the consequences of expressing love in a public, political space.

Aidan’s prosecution by the Capitol police is blatant political corruption and weaponization of justice against a marginalized person.  This author might very well believe that following the law, and social norms is a vehicle for corruption, but I am not sure by what measure.

Aidan’s persecution by right-wing nutbars writ large is a threat to his life and the life of every LGBTQ individual in this country. Perhaps next time, he'll wait till he gets home from work, and consider that a lesson well learned.

This cannot stand. The fight has just begun.  You might suggest that something like this could be reversed, but rest assured it will not. No politician I can think of, except may AOC, has the courage to take such a self-destructive position.