Alex Morse and Weaponizing Sexual Misconduct Allegations
On Sunday, the New York Times featured a profile on the implications of dubious sexual misconduct allegations against Massachusetts congressional candidate Alex B.Morse.
Essentially, at the beginning of the month. Morse, age 31, was disinvited from a speaking engagement at University of Massachusetts, Amherst because of alleged "'numerous incidents' of unwanted and inappropriate sexual advances toward students," NYT reports. Morse issued a statement acknowledging having had consensual sexual relationships while denying that any of those were his students or anyone he supervised.
Just as it appeared Morse was about to be swiftly canceled, new information came to light regarding his accusers and their intentions. Also, there is question as to both representative Richard E. Neal's (whom Morse is challenging) and the Democratic party's involvement. Through it all, Morse remains in the race — even thriving, raising "more than $410,000, and 800 volunteers have reached out offering to help," as NYT reports.
But the central focus of the NYT piece is the impact and deployment of sexual misconduct allegations in order to gain political favor, and the implications for future LGBTQ candidates whose consensual sexual experiences are as complex and varied as anyone else. As Morse states, "the expectation shouldn't be that we have to be in monogamous, heteronormative relationships before we enter public life."
Read the feature on Alex Morse at the New York Times.