By Piper Pokorny, Contributing Writer
Chad-Alan Carr, a once-trusted member of the Gettysburg Borough, was an individual who, through his love of theater, created a flourishing community that inspired locals who shared his admiration for the arts. A mayor, a volunteer, and a representative of the queer community, Carr has now sparked disappointment and outrage for his actions following his arrest for having a past relationship with a minor. He took a public office position, knowing the vileness of his own behavior, and still believed he could succeed in life.
I didn’t even bother to look at Yik Yak, knowing what people would say once the news broke. As much as I wanted Chad-Alan Carr’s identity not to be one of the focal points of criticism, I knew deep down it was. The political climate of this country, directed by the Trump administration, applauds an animosity that targets the historically demonized queer community. A group based on love, chosen family, and accepting people for who they are, has been weaponized as a scapegoat to fuel a collective hatred for queer individuals mischaracterized as predators.
Right-wing groups took no time in feeding into this behavior, one Instagram caption reading, “Is it homophobic to detest pedophilia?” I find it important to note that in cases of pedophilia where the criminal is straight, almost no attention is put on their identity, but on their unlawful and immoral actions.
I was infuriated by the reactions to the news. Carr’s identity as a gay man was a focal point, as if that were a determining factor for his pedophilic actions. It was a means that was targeted to villainize a community that will only suffer more because of the misguided focus on identity politics. What only made me angrier was the culture that Carr existed in, where he believed he could get away with grooming a child and holding office. The President of the United States, a convicted felon, someone who was openly accused of pedophilia and sexual assault, set an example for those in power that they can get away with committing crimes without facing the consequences. The culture of silence that men like Chad-Alan Carr benefit from kept the survivor from coming forward and allowed Carr to not feel enough guilt to admit his own actions.
What convinced him that grooming a child was forgettable to the point he thought he could run for mayor? Why was he able to get away with that for so long?
With the attention prolonged on his identity and the stereotypical connection with predation, no empathy is given to the survivor and their own pain. If our community truly cared about this survivor, then why do people within Gettysburg highlight Carr’s actions as a gay man, rather than as a predator? How would the victim feel, knowing that their trauma is being alienated as a victim of ‘queerness’, not as a victim of grooming?
I am not alone in my anger that I feel on behalf of the victim and the queer community. A Gettysburg College student, who had known Carr personally, spoke with me about the disappointment they ultimately felt when his arrest was announced. Having met Carr at the annual National Coming Out Day celebration, this student expressed disgust at what Carr had done, especially since he was so involved not only on our campus but also with children’s theater.
“He was regarded as a respected and trusted LGBTQ+ figure in the community, yet he ended up causing so much harm.”
Whether Carr realized it or not, his own actions would only fuel the alienation against queer communities; he acted, knowing well enough how his own community would be impacted by his crimes. Other peers of mine realized this implication, telling me in our conversation, “It’s nothing new, which is the most frustrating.”
Carr’s own crimes are being glossed over to further the collective scapegoating of a common enemy. He is a coward not only for knowing the historical impact of this stereotype, but more so for not coming forward sooner.
“Keeping that to themselves for so long had to be hard,” One student commented in discussions about the survivor. “I hope they can be brought some comfort by knowing the Gettysburg community stands behind them.”
I hope, along with other Gettysburg students, that the survivor finds some peace with Carr finally paying for his crimes. As someone who voted for him, I am disgusted that he lied to his community and tried to move on from the trauma he inflicted on another. What I am more appalled by is the culture that has been created, allowing people in power to avoid responsibility for their actions and letting victims suffer because of it.
