A newly released documentary, "The CLOSETocracy," produced by The Young Turks and Swamp Watch Studios, has brought renewed attention to allegations of paid sexual encounters involving the late South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham. The film, which debuted on Thursday, October 22, features claims from three men who state they received payments from Senator Graham for sexual activity, with one accuser alleging he was 17 years old at the time of the reported encounter. These accusations have not been independently verified, and Senator Graham, who passed away on July 11 at 71, had consistently denied speculation about his sexuality during his lifetime.
"I felt powerless in arguing with him about it." Kelvin, Accuser in "The CLOSETocracy"
The documentary features accounts from several individuals. Among them is adult film performer Cory Burns, known professionally as Sean Harding. Burns' allegations first garnered public attention in June 2020, when he claimed a prominent Republican senator, whose initials he referenced as "LG," had privately hired male escorts despite publicly supporting legislation opposed by LGBT advocacy organizations. In the film, Burns details an alleged overnight encounter arranged by an intermediary at Washington’s Mayflower Hotel for $1,500. He claims Senator Graham requested specific sexual activities and used degrading, homophobic language. Burns further states that Graham paid the agreed amount even though the encounter concluded earlier than planned.
Another participant in the documentary, identified only as Kelvin, makes a more serious allegation. Kelvin claims he was 17 years old when he had an encounter with Senator Graham, which he states occurred between 1995 and 2003, during Graham's tenure in the U.S. House of Representatives. Kelvin acknowledges he initially informed Graham he was 18 but alleges that the lawmaker repeatedly questioned his age and requested identification before proceeding with sexual activity. Kelvin recalled feeling compelled to accept the promised $120 payment, stating, "I felt powerless in arguing with him about it." A third individual, identified as Jesse, alleges a separate encounter in 2012 at Washington’s Beacon Hotel, for which he claims Graham paid $260.
The release of "The CLOSETocracy" comes more than six years after initial allegations concerning Graham began circulating online. Previous accusations emerged from transgender women, with one, Taylor Snider, claiming Graham paid her for sex in June 2015. Although journalists reportedly examined purported appointment messages connected to Snider's account, these communications could not be independently authenticated.
The allegations have prompted scrutiny of Senator Graham's political record, particularly his voting history on issues affecting LGBTQ+ rights. During his congressional career, Graham voted against the repeal of the military’s "Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell" policy. He also opposed federal employment protections for LGBTQ+ individuals and voted against the Respect for Marriage Act. Participants in the documentary contend that these public legislative positions conflict with the private conduct attributed to the late senator.
Attempts to seek comment from Senator Graham's sister, Republican Senator Darline Graham, by The Advocate were unsuccessful. Neither her office nor Cory Burns responded to inquiries. The documentary includes footage of Darline Graham declining to address the accusations concerning her brother, stating, "I’m not even going to entertain that question." This controversy unfolds as Darline Graham is actively campaigning against Democrat Annie Andrews ahead of the November 3 midterm elections.
Andrew Kolvet, a spokesman for Turning Point USA, dismissed the documentary's potential political impact. Kolvet suggested that the longstanding nature of these allegations meant they were already familiar to conservative audiences. "This isn’t an October surprise, we’ve known this for years," Kolvet wrote on X, arguing that efforts to link Darline Graham to the allegations against her late brother would prove ineffective.
Despite the renewed attention, "The CLOSETocracy" does not provide independent verification of the participants' accounts, nor does it establish that Senator Graham committed a crime. Its release has, however, reignited public discussion about the contrast between the late senator's public policy stances and the private conduct alleged by his accusers.
