Hummel's Homophobic History

As Senator Anderson launched what seems to be a personal attack on Senator Hummel's character, The Weekend Observer investigates: was there any truth to his claims?

Rarely has a presidential debate started as much doubt in a candidate's character as it did on Saturday, when Senator Anderson accused Senator Hummel of using homophobic slurs and associating with bullies. An interview with some of Hummel's former college classmates has emerged supporting the claims.

"He was on the football team," says Lima County University alumnus Jay Waterstone. "That team was known for giving all the gay kids hell."

...

Some supporters of Hummel are remaining loyal, claiming that these are just dirty tactics to distract from the bigger issues. Others aren't so sure. This morning's opinion poll shows support for Hummel is beginning to waver. Could this be the turning point that Senator Anderson could only have hoped for?

The evening after the debate, things are tense in the Anderson's hotel suite. Blaine hadn't said a word the entire car ride back. Now that they're alone, he ends his silence.

"I can't believe you did that!" huffs Blaine, shucking his coat off onto the couch.

"This is politics, son," says Senator Anderson matter-of-factly. He pours himself a drink from behind the kitchen counter. "You either play dirty or you don't play at all."

"Burt was good to me," says Blaine. He steps towards the counter, holding his father's gaze. "He knows I'm gay and he didn't tell a soul - not even Finn knows. He managed to keep secret the one thing that you were most scared would get out, and yet you didn't have the courtesy to do the same."

"That's different!' insists Senator Anderson. "He didn't do that to protect me. He did it to protect you!"

"You're right," says Blaine. "He did do that for me. And you know something? He's done a hell of a lot for me. Forget future president, he's a a lot better a father to me than you are."

Senator Anderson surveys Blaine across the counter. Eyes narrowed, lips pursed, he doesn't say anything for a minute. Then...

"This is about Kurt, isn't it?" he asks. His voice is quiet. There's no longer anger, nor accusation. It's just a simple question.

"Does it matter?" Blaine replies weakly. His voice cracks. He shrugs his shoulders ever so slightly. He could fight, but that isn't what he really wants. What he wants is to fix things for Senator Hummel. But he doesn't know how to.

"It's getting late," Mrs Anderson says quietly. Blaine turns to where she's standing by the couch, having forgotten her and Cooper's presence. Beside her, Cooper stands, hands tucked into his trouser pockets as he gives Blaine a pitying look.

"Blaine, c'mon, let's get some rest," Cooper says softly.

Blaine nods. Silently, he retreats to his room, Cooper coming in behind him.

When the brothers are both tucked into bed - the first time in years that Cooper hasn't made Blaine take the floor so he can have the whole bed to himself - Blaine takes out his phone to send one last text to Kurt:

Blaine; 11:22pm:I really, truly am sorry, Kurt. To you and your family. If there's anything I can do to fix this, please let me know. I care about you so much xx

Blaine falls asleep waiting for the reply. It never comes.

When Blaine wakes up the next morning, he immediately remembers the events of last night. The feeling of guilt and shame sets in again. He reaches for his phone, but there's still nothing from Kurt - just a few messages from Jeff and Nick, checking up on how he's doing. He replies to them with the usual 'I'm fine, don't worry about it'. But two minutes later, he sends them both a second message.

Blaine; 7:13am: Actually, I'm not. I think I screwed up the best thing to ever happen to me, and I don't know how to fix it.

It takes less than ten seconds after that for Nick to call Blaine, nearly waking a sleeping Cooper. Blaine scurries out of bed to the bathroom. The two-way call becomes a three-way call with Jeff in a matter of seconds. Nick and Jeff take it in turns to reassure Blaine that he can come back from this, until finally they come up with a plan.

When the call ends, and Blaine goes back into the bedroom, Cooper is sitting up, rubbing the sleep out of his eyes.

"You're up," says Blaine happily.

"So's your mood," says Cooper.

"I have a plan," Blaine explains. "And I think I might need your help to carry it out."

"Let me have my morning vitamin drink and I'll be right with you," says Cooper, throwing aside the blanket and heading out into the kitchen.

Blaine smiles after him. L.A may have changed Cooper in some ways, but it's days like today that prove to Blaine that Cooper still loves his family. Even if he forgets to call home sometimes.

"This isn't a completely horrible idea, is it?"

They're in a small I.T room on the UCLA campus when Blaine's doubt begins to set in. It had been easy enough to lie to their parents and say they were having brunch for a bit of brotherly bonding time. It hadn't been too difficult for Cooper to convince Stacey Leung, his old roommate and current UCLA assistant professor, to allow them access to the campus and the university's equipment. Blaine hadn't even found it hard to make the video, even with the half dozen blinding lights Stacey had used to make sure everything looked just right. But now that they're at the final step, Blaine is growing hesitant.

"Do you want people to know how you feel about all of this?" presses Cooper. He and Stacey sit in front of a computer with YouTube open in a browser.

"I guess," says Blaine uncertainly.

A beeping sound goes off. Stacey reaches for her phone, eyes scanning over it.

"You might want to hold on this for a little while," she says. "The Hummels are having a press conference in 5."

"You get SMS alerts when the Hummels schedule a press conference?" Cooper asks, eyebrows raised.

"Journalism's my major, Cooper, what did you expect?" says Stacey. She reaches for a remote on the table in front of her and points it at a small TV in the corner of the room.

"No wonder I could never convince you to sleep with me," says Cooper. Stacey just smiles, looking at the TV.

"Hang on, it's in this building," says Stacey, reading the strip of information on the bottom of the screen. "It's just one level down. Blaine, I could get you in, if you like?"

"No one's going to notice us, are they?" Blaine asks.

"Not if you hang around the back," says Stacey. She grabs her coat off the nearest chair. "Coop, you can stay here until the video finishes processing, right? I'll be back to help you pack everything up once it's all done."

"Sure thing," says Cooper. "You go sneak Blainey into that press conference."

All it takes is a flash of Stacey's I.D. and she and Blaine are in, lurking around the back of the auditorium. They're just in time to see the Hudson-Hummels walk on stage, smiling and waving to the applauding audience. Blaine's gaze, as always, immediately settles on Kurt. He's opted for a black suit, well-tailored and pressed. But there's something different about Kurt today. For the first time, Kurt appears tired. And so too, Blaine realises as he scans the stage, does the rest of his family. No doubt the events of the previous night had kept them up.

To everyone's surprise, it's Kurt that takes to the lectern.

"Good morning," says Kurt. His voice, gentle and friendly, immediately quietens the chattering audience. "For those of you that don't know me, I'm Kurt Hummel, Senator Hummel's son and Winner of People Magazine's Best Dressed in Politics - my proudest achievement to date."

A murmur of laughter spreads through the room. Despite the situation, Blaine can't help the smile that hijacks his lips. It's things like that which Blaine loves about Kurt.

"We all know why we're here today, so let's just cut to the chase," Kurt continues, in a more serious tone. "Last night, it was revealed that my dad used to use a word that's hurtful to people like me."

Kurt pauses. The room is completely silent, as Kurt looks down at the lectern, gathering his thoughts.

"My dad associated with some bad people," Kurt continues, "but all he ever did himself was use that word. I'm not here to tell you to get over it, or to tell you that what my dad did wasn't wrong. The truth is, that word, it's hurtful. I was called it in my own home. Not by my dad, but by someone else close to me. It was upsetting, hearing that word, hearing it directed at me, and knowing how he meant it. But the person who used that word against me - I've had the privilege of watching him grow into one of the most accepting men that I know. And he did so, with the guidance of my dad. That's how I know my dad has changed. Because not only is he an accepting, tolerant person, but he also helps others to change, too.

"Not all of us are born good people. For some of us, it takes a little longer to learn tolerance, to not put people down just because they're different to us. Sometimes we hurt people along the way. If I had met my dad thirty years ago, I wouldn't have even thought to be friends with him. But it's not the Burt Hummel of thirty years ago that is my father. It's not the Burt Hummel of thirty years ago that's running for President. He's a different man now. He's learnt and grown so much.

"He's still growing even to this day. Last night, when I told Dad that I wanted to speak today, he didn't want me to at first. He said it wasn't my responsibility, that I shouldn't have to carry the weight of his campaign. That's when I told him to get over himself because not everything's about him."

Another outbreak of laughter. The corners of Kurt's lips turn up into a smile. He waits for the room to quieten down again, before continuing.

"The thing is, that this isn't just about him. This is about people like me. When things like this happen, gay people need to get a say, to talk about how we feel, how these things affect us. We can't continue to be silenced. That's something my dad forgot last night. He was trying to protect me because he thought I was trying to protect him. The reality is that this is bigger than that, and I wasted no time reminding him of that. It's one of the many ways that we've changed each other for the better - apart from, of course, his ever-improving fashion sense.

"I'm not saying this is how every LGBTI person feels, and I don't want to pretend that I represent everyone. But I know my father. I can tell you that he's a good person. He accepts me, and respects me, just the way I am. He may have used those words back then, but right now, I know he can't even stand hearing those words used in his presence. What's more, he's willing to fight for the rights of every gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex person in America. He's willing to fight, for the people that most politicians are too scared to even mention. My dad's not afraid to do that because he knows there are people out there who are afraid to simply be who they are, and he wants to change that. My fellow Americans, I swear on my collection of Alexander McQueen scarves, that the Burt Hummel of today is not a homophobe."

Kurt's words had quickened as he talked. He takes a second now to pause. Slower, and quieter, he says, "People can change. You have to believe that's possible or there's no point trying to make things better."

It's those words that Blaine had heard from Kurt that night, what seems like forever ago, when he and Kurt had shared soufflé and discussed Blaine's sexuality for the first time. Despite everything that he's been through himself, Kurt knows exactly how to give people hope. He had given Blaine hope on that night of the soufflés. And now, he stands in front of a nation, giving them hope of a better future.

"I know some of you may be thinking that the only reason my dad's changed is because I'm his son. I can't tell you if that's true or not. But let me ask you this." Kurt's eyes scan across the room. "Think about all the people who know someone who's gay. We all do, right? If there's one thing the propaganda's right about, it's that us gays are everywhere."

Kurt gives the slightest of smiles. His eyes scan the back wall, along which Blaine and Stacey are standing. Blaine doesn't have the best view from where he's standing, but he's almost certain he sees shock flash in Kurt's eyes, before it's replaced by determination. When Kurt next speaks, he's speaking directly to Blaine, a sadness in his voice that could only be genuine.

"But think about how many people there are who know someone who's gay, but still don't believe in their rights. Because I know a few. The difference between them, and my dad, is that my dad was willing to change. And he's willing to fight for equal rights in every way that he can. That's why I stand by my dad. That's why, this Presidential Election, I'll be voting for Senator Hummel. And hopefully, you'll join me in doing the same."

The room bursts into applause. The crowd rises to their feet within seconds. Blaine would have done the same had he not already been standing against the back wall with Stacey. Instead, he applauds furiously, smiling at Kurt, tears glistening in his eyes.

On stage, Kurt appears to be taking a moment to gather his notes behind the lectern. A buzzing in Blaine's pocket tells him that Kurt is doing otherwise.

Kurt; 11:26am: Did you want to say anything while everyone's hear?

Blaine doesn't know how to respond to that, until he receives a text from Cooper seconds later, with a YouTube link.

Cooper; 11:26am: Here you go, squirt. I don't think we made the best use of your good side, but it'll definitely help with damage control. Good luck!

Grinning, Blaine texts Kurt back.

Blaine; 11:27am:I wouldn't want to show you up :P But no, thankyou. I think I have things covered from my end. That speech though, just...wow

From his phone, Blaine copies the link Cooper had sent him, and opens up his Twitter app. His Twitter account had been created by his father's PR staff to help with the campaign. Blaine had only sent a half a dozen, mundane tweets, either with wishes on national holidays or updating his whereabouts when he was campaigning with his father. Despite this, he has over a million followers. More than enough to make an impression.

Blaine had been given strict rules about how he's to use his Twitter, and he is fairly certain that this next tweet is probably going to break all of them.

@BlaineAndersonOfficial: You've heard what kurtelizabethhummel had to say, now it's time for another gay to add their two cents [link].

As soon as Blaine hits 'update', the room is filled with the beeps and buzzes of phones, including from right beside Blaine.

"What?" says Stacey defensively, to Blaine's questioning look.

"You're subscribed to me on Twitter?" Blaine asks.

"Everyone in this room is, Blaine," says Stacey matter-of-factly. "You may not post a lot, but a lot of influential people probably follow your account. You have a lot more power than you think."

It doesn't take long before the sound of Blaine's voice is filling the room. On stage, Kurt has his headphones in, eyes fixed on his phone screen, mouth slightly open in amazement. From a nearby phone. Blaine can hear his speech in its entirety.

"Hi, everyone. Blaine Anderson here. I know I've been kind of quiet through my dad's campaign and that's because I've always felt that it was his, not mine. But then something happened yesterday and I couldn't stay quiet anymore. I think we all know by now what was said about Senator Hummel, so I'm not going to go over that. But what I can tell you, is that I've had the pleasure of meeting him a few times over the past few months. When I told him that I was gay, he supported me in a way that I could only dream of my own father doing. I know who Senator Hummel is now. It's why I believe him when he says he'll try to make things better. Don't judge him based on who he was thirty or so years ago. Judge him based on who he is now. I have. That's why, instead of voting for my father, this election I'll be voting for Senator Hummel. He's the candidate who stands for my values, and he's the one who's going to change things for the better. Thankyou."

Blaine watches Kurt's open-mouthed expression transform into a smile. When Kurt finally lifts his gaze from his phone screen, his eyes meet Blaine's. They're filled with gratitude, and something more- pride. Kurt is proud of him, Blaine realises, for finally saying what it is that he wants to say.

"We should get you out of here before someone notices you," says Stacey, interrupting Blaine's thoughts. "C'mon."

Blaine gives Kurt the smallest of waves before he and Stacey sneak out the back door. He ignores the buzzing of his phone in his pocket. No doubt there will be a shit storm waiting for him when he gets home. But Blaine knows it'll be worth it if he's managed to regain even a fraction of the Hummels' trust.