What was the Rick Perry campaign doing at a gay bar in Key West? Washington blogger Michael Rogers, who’s made a career of outing closeted gay Republicans – Rep. Mark Foley, Sen. Larry Craig, former RNC Chair Ken Mehlman, among many others – is asking that question of the Texans for Rick Perry campaign. Rogers found an April 13, 2009, expenditure of $78.26 at LaTeDa, a legendary Key West hotel and popular tourist hot spot with a cabaret featuring headliners like female impersonator Randy Roberts and such shows as Pussy Galore Tea Dance. Curious? Rogers promises he’ll keep us posted.

This article appears in October 1 • 2010.

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Contributing writer and former news editor Michael King has reported on city and state politics for the Chronicle since 2000. He was educated at Indiana University and Yale, and from 1977 to 1985 taught at UT-Austin. He has been the editor of the Houston Press and The Texas Observer, and has reported and written widely on education, politics, and cultural subjects.