American blogger and activist
Michael Rogers (born November 12, 1963)[1] is an American fundraiser, blogger and gay rights activist.[2][3] He is vice chairman of Raw Story Media, Inc.,[4] co-owner of Alternet Media,[5] and founder and Director of Netroots Connect.[6] He is also known for his work in reporting on closeted gay politicians who are anti-gay.[7] He was the subject of the 2009 American documentary film Outrage.[8]
History and education
Rogers was born to a Jewish family, raised in suburban New York City in Rockland County, NY, and attended public schools.[9] Rogers attended Ramapo Senior High School in Spring Valley, NY.[citation needed] He attended Adelphi University (1982) and the University of Buffalo (also known as the State University of New York at Buffalo) (1983-1986), where he majored in political science.[10]
In 2022, Rogers was named to the Out 100, Out Magazine's compilation of the year's most impactful and influential LGBTQ+ people.[11]
Activism
After moving to New York City In 1989, Rogers joined the AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power (ACT UP!). He, along with fellow Hetrick-Martin employee Ann Northrop, was arrested for participating in ACT UP's "Stop the Church" demonstration at St. Patrick's Cathedral in 1989.[12]
In 2002, Rogers founded Stop The Box, his first internet activism effort. "The 'Box'," referred to a 20 ft. wide, 10 ft. height and 8 ft depth unattended structure that housed a prototype automatic convenience store. The Box was owned by TikTok Easy Shop company. Rogers created a website and organized resistance among residents living near the store. He coordinated protests and education campaigns against it. Rogers also discovered that the internet domain registration and the company were wholly owned by the McDonald's Corporation.[13][14][15][16] Rogers had a letter published in The New York Times relating to the machine.[17] The machine was removed within months of its installation.[citation needed]
In 2008, citizens of California approved Proposition 8, a voter initiative to repeal the state's marriage equality law. Under the law before the passage of Proposition 8, same sex couples were allowed to marry in the state. Because the initiative passed, marriage equality for gay and lesbian couples in the state was repealed. Following the election, Rogers learned that a Subway Franchisee in Merced, California had donated $2,500 to the Yes on 8 campaign. Under threat of a boycott, Rogers made the following demands of Subway:
- Repudiate the gift
- Add sexual orientation and gender identity to the corporation's non-discrimination policy.
- Give an equal gift to the opposing side.
Subway agreed to the first two[18][19] and Rogers dropped his demand for the equal gift when the original gift was rescinded. Subway's headquarters wrote to all locations (over 30,000) explaining how the gift was in violation of franchisee policies. The company also explained that the company's non-discrimination policies would now include sexual orientation and gender identity.[20]
Blog
On July 7, 2004, Rogers launched BlogActive, a personal blog.[21] The blog has been a focal point for outing closeted gay politicians who actively oppose gay rights. His work has been profiled twice by The Washington Post, including a 2007 profile which asked if Rogers was The Most Feared Man On the Hill.[22]
On August 19, 2004, Rogers first major report was on US Rep. Edward L. Schrock (R-VA).[23] Rogers published a set of recordings of Schrock[24][25] using the MegaMates/Mega Phone Line, a service for men to meet other men for the purposes of meeting for sexual encounters.[26] On August 30, 2004, during the Republican National Convention, Schrock ended his reelection campaign.[27]
One year prior to the publishing of emails from US Rep. Mark Foley to a 16-year-old seeking sexual encounters,[28] Rogers reported on Foley on March 4, 2005.[29]
On October 17, 2006, Rogers reported on sexual liaisons between US Senator Larry Craig (R-ID) and unnamed individuals in Washington, DC's Union Station.[30] Rogers uncovered a news story from 1982 that tied Craig to a sex and drug scandal in the US Congress. Rogers reported on more recent activity in various places throughout the nation. Rogers's report prompted Craig to issue a denial.[31] Nine months later, on June 11, 2007, Craig was arrested in the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport for lewd conduct.[32]
Outrage
Rogers is the subject of the Magnolia Pictures/HBO film Outrage, a 2009 documentary by director Kirby Dick. The film focuses on closeted politicians and senior political staff who work against the LGBT community.[33] Rogers's activities are followed and a number of his cases, including US Rep. Ed Schrock and US Senator Larry Craig are central themes to the film. Rogers also served as a consultant to the filmmakers.
