By Phil Riske, managing editor | Rose Law Group Reporter
Speculation about Janet Napolitano’s sexual preference has followed her ever since she entered public life. The former Arizona governor and secretary of Homeland Security has aways denied she is gay, saying once, she’s “just a straight-up, single workaholic.”
Presidential appointments and the way media reported them Tuesday backdoored the question about Napolitano, now University of California President, into the public light again.
What was seen as a poke in the nose to Russian President Vladimir Putin over his crackdown on gay rights, President Obama yesterday announced his delegates to the 2014 Winter Olympic Games in Sochi, Russia. Napolitano will lead an American delegation to the games, which includes two out lesbians and former athletes, Billie Jean King, the tennis legend, and Caitlin Cahow, an Olympic medalist in women’s ice hockey.
The delegation also includes figure skating Olympic medalist Brian Boitano, who refuses to answer questions about his sexuality, saying, “everybody’s got their own path . . .”
Several White House staffers will attend the games, but Obama, Vice President Joe Biden and First Lady Michelle Obama will not attend the opening ceremony. This marks the first time since the 2000 Summer Olympic Games that a president, vice president, first lady or former president won’t be part of the opening ceremony.
Putin last summer signed a law banning the adoption of Russian-born children to gay couples and also a law that bans public discussion of gay rights.
Obama’s selection of U.S. representatives left media drooling over the in-your-face move against Russian leader Putin and the opportunity to again try to out Napolitano and Boitano.
