September 7, 2007 | Sex & Society

Oh, Idaho!

Senator Larry Craig is not the first man in Idaho history to face backlash for activity deemed inappropriate. In fact, with his recent decision to review his resignation and fight the charges for lewd conduct, he may actually be taking a page from Idaho's history book.

In 1955, in the sleepy town of Boise, another scandal was about to break. It was Halloween night and three men -- a salesman, a shoeshine man and a warehouseman -- were arrested for their involvement in a supposed sex ring that preyed upon teenage boys.

The resulting news stories were sensational to say the least. The local paper called on the community to “crush the monster” while arguing “this mess must be removed.” Headlines like "Male Pervert Ring Seduces 1,000 Boys" greeted the townsfolk each morning and it wasn't long before an anti-gay hysteria flared. Other arrests followed. A lawyer. A teacher. The vice-president of the city's largest bank. 16 in all were charged for participating in homosexual acts, even if said acts involved another consenting adult.

The queer bugaboo in Boise's dark closet had been revealed! [more]

Embarrassment and convictions followed, with only one man beating the charges. He did so by steadfastly denying the allegations, and as the case fell apart from lack of any real evidence, he found his freedom -- if not his name -- restored.

As CBS news reported in 1967, "The people of Boise tried to "stamp out" homosexuality. They discovered it couldn't be done. In the learning process, everybody suffered."

Now, Craig is hoping to do the same. Deny the charges. Fight the fight. And maybe, just maybe, he too will be exonerated.

Except.... oops... he already pled guilty. Crap! This just isn't his month.

• Fall of '55 [documentary homepage] 
• Idaho’s original same-sex scandal  [New York Times]