He was/is definitely openly gay. People just didn't call other people 'queers' on televised debates back in those days.
I think it went like, "Now listen, you queer. Stop calling me a crypto-Nazi or I will sock you in your goddamned face."
That's good TV.
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Mild Mannered Minion
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I feel the pull on the rope, let me off at the rainbow
-Anyway, Genesis