Young Gay Journalists Caught Rekers

The frenzy surrounding the downfall of antigay activist George Rekers makes it easy to overlook who exposed him. A pair of young male journalists from Wilton Manors, Fla., who also happen to be a couple, broke the story of Rekers and his European vacation with a male escort.

The South Florida Gay News profiles Brandon K. Thorp, 27, and Penn Bullock, 21, two reporters for the Miami New Times, who say they tried to protect the identity of the escort. Known as "Lucien," he was quickly revealed to be Jo-Vanni Roman and became the focus of the story, to the chagrin of Thorp and Bullock, who wanted to keep the spotlight on Rekers.

"Thorp and Bullock went about the task of writing their story methodically," reports South Florida Gay News. "First, it was not Roman that tipped them off to the lead the young man was in Europe with Rekers. Instead, it was a friend of Roman's, who was an 'authorized user' of his e-mail account. Apparently, while reviewing Roman's contacts, he came upon the escort's famous client, and contacted his friend, Bullock. His goal was to expose Rekers, a married man, for hiring a male escort."

Bullock and Thorp arranged to be at the airport with a camera to snap photos in secret when Rekers and Roman arrived. They contacted both men several days later, and the story exploded from there.

The duo, partners after meeting on MySpace three years ago, said that more reporting will come soon to advance the Rekers story.