Warns of Perry Gay Rumor By Retelling It

A story by Politico predicts that if Texas governor Rick Perry runs for president, he will again have to deal with unproven rumors that he's gay. Meanwhile, the story itself is helping spread the rumors once more.

The Drudge Report linked to the speculation with the headline "Media Digs Up Rumors." On the more liberal side of the political spectrum, The Huffington Post wrote up a story about the "Rick Perry Gay Rumors."

Politico reports that "the crusted-over rumors were in the ether among some attendees at a dinner hosted last week by the Manhattan County GOP, where Perry gave the keynote speech." And it reminds readers that Perry was once backed into doing an interview with an Austin newspaper specifically to rebut the notion in 2004.

"As you may know, Rick and Anita Perry first met in grade school, went on their first date together in 1966, have been lovingly married since 1982 and are parents to two grown children," according to Dave Carney, a Perry strategist quoted by Politico in defense of the governor's marriage.

For his part, Perry continues to be staunchly antigay. He plans to host a prayer-apalooza in August at a Houston football stadium, and praying to end homosexuality's effect on society is on the agenda, organizers have confirmed. The big event is being run in partnership with the American Family Association, which is categorized by the Southern Poverty Law Center as a "hate group" for its spreading misinformation that the SPLC says is dangerous to gay people.