Then, a few weeks after Dick starting shooting the film in 2007, Idaho senator Larry Craig got caught tap dancing in a bathroom stall.  Dick had to hustle to keep up with it all.

“The story was put into fast-forward,” says Dick, whose previous films include This Film is Not Yet Rated and the Oscar-nominated Twist of Faith.  “With these scandals, the discussion of the closet sort of was swirling around us as we were making this film.”

The resulting documentary, Outrage, opened in five major cities last weekend and will go wide over the next few months.  So far, Dick’s been very heartened by the public reaction.  “No one has stood up and said, ‘I’m upset that you’re outing people’ which has surprised me,” remarks Dick.  “It seems like people really understand the argument of the film, the importance of reporting on this hypocrisy.”

365gay.com: What inspired you to make Outrage?

KIRBY DICK:  I was in Washington, DC promoting my last film, This Film Is Not Rated and I thought, ‘There must be a lot of great stories here.’  I started asking around and very quickly came upon this subject.  It’s fascinating, the psychology of these people who, in exchange for having a long political career, would live a double life.

A few days after I saw the film, I saw you interviewed on CNN.  The anchor Don Lemon seemed a bit offended that you were naming names, like it was rude or bad form.  I thought, ‘Did he see the same movie I saw?’

That’s what people have said when they watched it.  I actually want to give him more credit.  What I’ve found is it’s not the reporters themselves that don’t want to cover this story.  It’s the people up the ladder that have prevented mainstream reporters from covering this. I’m speculating but I think that’s what you were seeing reflected was the pressure he was receiving or he felt he would receive from higher up, rather than his own personal approach.

In your last documentary This Film Is Not Yet Rated, you exposed the double standard in the way the MPAA rating system deals with gay sex scenes versus straight.  Now, you’ve made Outrage.  Have you always had an awareness and interest in gay issues?

My best friend in high school was gay and we had all these discussions and then he had a group of friends who were also gay.  It really kind of normalized the whole thing for me when I was young and I’m very grateful for that.

In making Outrage, were you ever threatened or afraid for your safety?

We took precautions and we operated very much under the radar.  I have not received any threats.  However, in the process of looking into various politicians around the country, I spoke to a number of sources who seemed quite afraid to talk and in many cases, did not talk at all.  I don’t know if that fear was justifiable but I know the fear was real.

A number of people in your film comment on how gay Washington DC is, in terms of the people who work there and the whole vibe of the place.  Did you pick up on that?

Not initially but as soon as somebody pointed it out, yes.  I think my gaydar was always decent but it has been very refined by working in Washington, DC.

It must be a special kind of nightmare to be gay and work for a boss who legislates against you.

That’s what’s so horrible.  Take George W. Bush as an example.  He’s a person who’s not homophobic.  We’ve talked to gay people who are friends of his and some of his staffers are gay.  He’s totally comfortable but the fact that he would promote an amendment to restrict the rights of portion of the citizenry just to further his own reelection is appalling.

NEXT PAGE: What’s up with Charlie Crist?

Ta-Nehisi Coates and Dan Savage are having conversation about outing today. The back and forth started with Coates’ discussing an interview with Kirby Dick, director of Outrage. Coates confesses he understands the impulse to out those who stay in the closet and actively pursue an anti gay political agenda; however, he’s not clear if the outrage is worth the cost.

“I’m skeptical of man’s ability to bring justice to these people, in this fashion. It smells of divine retribution dispensed by childish mortals. What if the guy you outed kills himself? Can you wash your hands of that? Would you truly feel no guilt?”

Savage admits outing is callous but in some cases the full hammer is more than justified.

“Outing someone, as I wrote when I helped out one asshole and declined to participate in the outing of another, is a brutal tactic and should be reserved for brutes. [Larry] Craig and [Charlie] Crist more than qualify,” Savage responded referring to the Idaho’s former senator and Florida’s governor. “I don’t wanna be dramatic, but Craig and Crist have blood on their hands.”

I’m leaning toward Coates on this. Aside from ruining the life of someone who spent a lot of effort in destroying the lives of others, what is the political upswing with outing? What do we get from it? Could be my naive blinders on, but I’m not sure gays and lesbians get anything when an anti-gay person is shown to be who he/she is. Yes we lose a foe but outside of that not much else changes.

Lastly, this is something I can’t break from: anti-gay bigotry stings no matter if the offender likes his sodomy from Beyonce or Beckham. Or both.

Attorney Tom Kelly said Craig had decided against asking the Minnesota Supreme Court to void the conviction. The decision means the legal wrangling in the case is over.

“We’ve concluded that the Supreme Court would not accept this for review,” Kelly said. “It would be a futile exercise.”

Thursday was the 30-day deadline for Craig to ask the high court to review a Minnesota Court of Appeals decision that went against him. The Supreme Court typically grants only about 25 percent to 30 percent of those requests, according to court figures.

The Idaho Republican was arrested June 11, 2007, by an undercover police officer conducting a sting operation against men cruising for sex at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. The senator quietly pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct and paid a fine, but changed his mind after word of his arrest later became public.

As his political career disintegrated, Craig insisted he was innocent and that he was not gay. He said the officer had misconstrued his foot-tapping actions in the airport bathroom.

Last month, the Minnesota Court of Appeals rejected Craig’s bid to withdraw his guilty plea. It affirmed a lower court decision that his plea was “accurate, voluntary and intelligent” and that it was supported by the evidence.

Craig did not seek re-election in November for the seat he had held for 18 years. He was succeeded Tuesday by political veteran Jim Risch, a Republican former lieutenant governor, governor and state senator.

“We’re getting there,” said Patrick Hogan, director of public affairs for the Metropolitan Airports Commission. “I think we’ll all be glad when there’s no special interest in that restroom.”

Craig was accused of soliciting sex in the bathroom in June 2007 and pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct in August 2007.

One person had offered to buy the restroom stall for $5,000, Hogan said, but airport officials “don’t sell fixtures for novelty purposes.”

Though tourist interest has withered, the surge of publicity from Craig’s arrest helped end the type of activity in the restroom that had prompted lewd-conduct complaints, he said.

Plans to modify the restroom to prevent occupants from passing signals were scrapped because complaints dropped.

“It is the busiest restroom at Minneapolis-St. Paul International,” Hogan told The Spokesman-Review. “It’s right in the middle of our main thoroughfare.”

Craig – who has maintained his innocence and heterosexuality – has said he only pleaded guilty to keep the embarrassing situation quiet. He attempted to withdraw his guilty plea but the Minnesota Court of Appeals earlier this month rejected the appeal.

Craig, who said he was considering another appeal, did not seek re-election in last month’s election for the seat he has held for 18 years.

Craig, a three-term Republican from Idaho, pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct in August 2007 after he was accused of soliciting sex from an undercover police officer in a men’s room at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport.

Sgt. Dave Karsnia said Craig tapped his feet and swiped his hand under a stall divider in a way that signaled he wanted sex. Craig has denied that, saying his actions were misconstrued.

Nevertheless, he pleaded guilty and paid a fine.

After his arrest and guilty plea became public, Craig held a news conference to say he is not gay and that he pleaded guilty only to avoid the scandal of a trial. 

Since then, Craig has been fighting to withdraw the plea. 

County District Judge Charles Porter refused, saying Craig’s plea “was accurate, voluntary and intelligent, and … supported by the evidence.” 

Craig appealed that ruling to the Minnesota Court of Appeals

Craig’s attorney argued before the appeals court this September that there was insufficient evidence for any judge to find him guilty. Prosecutors said his guilty plea should stand.

The three-judge panel upheld Porter’s ruling.

Craig’s attorneys have not said if they will request the decision be reviewed by the full appeals court or if they will take the case to the state Supreme Court.

Craig, 63, a social conservative, supported both attempts to advance a proposed constitutional amendment banning gay marriage and opposes adding sexuality to the groups covered under hate crime laws and to a bill protecting LGBT workers. 

Craig has faced rumors about his sexuality since the 1980s, but allegations that he had engaged in gay sex had never before been substantiated. 

As publicity mounted, Craig first promised that he would resign last Sept. 30, then reversed his decision saying he would stay in office until his term expires in January. Craig did not run for re-election.

Craig created his “Fund for Justice” last spring, after the Senate Ethics Committee chided him for spending $213,000 in campaign funds to pay legal and public relations fees without the panel’s approval.

Most of the donations to the fund range from $50 to $300 and came from personal friends and neighbors. His legal expenses are believed to be in the tens of thousands of dollars.

Craig, a three-term Republican from Idaho, pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct in August 2007 after he was accused of soliciting sex from an undercover police officer at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport.

Sgt. Dave Karsnia said Craig tapped his feet and swiped his hand under a stall divider in a way that signaled he wanted sex. Craig has denied that, saying his actions were misconstrued.

After his arrest and guilty plea became public, Craig held a news conference to say he is not gay and that he pleaded guilty only to avoid the scandal of a trial.

Since then Craig has been fighting to withdraw the plea.

County District Judge Charles Porter refused, saying Craig’s plea “was accurate, voluntary and intelligent, and … supported by the evidence.”

Craig appealed that ruling to the Minnesota Court of Appeals, which heard arguments earlier this month.

His attorney told the court that Craig wants to correct a “manifest injustice” and that those fighting against the senator failed to show he had participated in any criminal conduct.

Prosecutors maintained that Craig’s plea was entered voluntarily.

The court has yet to issue a ruling.

Craig has a long history of voting against every LGBT issue that came before the Senate and of supporting two attempts to pass an amendment to the U.S. Constitution to ban gays from marrying.

Craig first promised that he would resign last Sept. 30, then reversed his decision, saying he would stay in office until his term expires in January. Craig did not run for re-election.

Craig has formed the Fund for Justice, according to papers filed with the Senate’s Office of Public Records. This came after the Senate Ethics Committee in February chided Craig for spending $213,000 in campaign funds to pay legal and public-relations fees without the panel’s approval.

Craig, a three-term Republican from Idaho, pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct in August 2007 after he was accused of soliciting sex from an undercover police officer at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport.

Sgt. Dave Karsnia reported that Craig tapped his feet and swiped his hand under a stall divider in a way that signaled he wanted sex. Craig has denied that, saying his actions were misconstrued.

After his arrest and guilty plea became public, Craig held a news conference to say he is not gay and that he pleaded guilty only to avoid the scandal of a trial.

Since then, Craig has been fighting to withdraw the plea.

County District Judge Charles Porter refused, saying Craig’s plea “was accurate, voluntary and intelligent, and … supported by the evidence.”

Craig appealed that ruling to the Minnesota Court of Appeals which heard arguments earlier this month.

His attorney told the court that Craig wants to correct a “manifest injustice” and that against the senator failed to show he had participated in any criminal conduct.

Prosecutors maintained that Craig’s plea was entered voluntarily. The court has yet to issue a ruling.

Craig has a long history of voting against every LGBT issue that came before the Senate and of supporting two attempts to pass an amendment to the U.S. Constitution to ban gays from marrying.

As publicity mounted, Craig first promised that he would resign last Sept. 30, then reversed his decision saying he would stay in office until his term expires next January. Craig says he is not running for re-election.

Craig wants the court to withdraw his guilty plea. A county judge already has rejected the request.

Craig, a three-term Republican from Idaho, pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct in August 2007 after he was accused of soliciting sex from an undercover police officer at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport.

Sgt. Dave Karsnia said Craig tapped his feet and swiped his hand under a stall divider in a way that signaled he wanted sex. Craig has denied that, saying his actions were misconstrued.

After his arrest and guilty plea became public, Craig held a news conference to say he is not gay and that he pleaded guilty only to avoid the scandal of a trial.

Since then, Craig has been fighting to withdraw the plea.

County District Judge Charles Porter refused, saying Craig’s plea “was accurate, voluntary and intelligent, and … supported by the evidence.”

Craig appealed that ruling to the Minnesota Court of Appeals, which heard arguments on Wednesday. The court gave no indication when it would rule in the case.

Craig was not in court for the hearing. His attorney told the court that Craig wants to correct a “manifest injustice” and that again the prosecution failed to show he had participated in any criminal conduct.

Prosecutors maintained that Craig’s plea was entered voluntarily.

Craig has a long history of voting against every LGBT issue that came before the Senate and of supporting two attempts to pass an amendment to the U.S. Constitution to bar gays from marrying.

As publicity mounted, Craig first promised that he would resign last Sept. 30, then reversed his decision, saying he would stay in office until his term expires next January. Craig says he is not running for re-election.

The Senate Ethics Committee in February said that Craig acted improperly and brought discredit on the Senate. In a letter to the Republican senator, the ethics panel said Craig’s attempt to withdraw his guilty plea an effort to evade legal consequences of his own actions.

Police arrested 41 men last year between May and August in the sting operation, but it did not come to light until Sen. Craig’s bust became public.

Craig, a three-term Republican from Idaho, pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct in August 2007 after he was accused of soliciting sex from an undercover police officer.

After his arrest and guilty plea became public, Craig held a news conference to say he is not gay and that he pleaded guilty only to avoid the scandal of a trial.

Craig then tried to withdraw his plea. A judge in Minnesota refused, saying Craig’s plea “was accurate, voluntary and intelligent, and … supported by the evidence.”

Craig appealed that ruling to the Minnesota Court of Appeals.

Craig has a long history of voting against every LGBT issue that came before the Senate and of supporting two attempts to pass an amendment to the US Constitution to bar gays from marrying.

As publicity mounted, Craig promised that he would resign last Sept. 30. Then he reversed his decision, saying he would stay in office until his term expires next January. Craig says he is not running for re-election.

Craig has said the undercover police officer misinterpreted his foot and hand movements as signals that he wanted sex, giving rise to the nickname “Toe-tapping Larry.”

The Senate Ethics Committee in February said that Craig acted improperly and had brought discredit on the Senate.

In a letter to the Republican senator, the ethics panel said Craig’s attempt to withdraw his guilty plea after his arrest at a Minneapolis airport was an effort to evade legal consequences of his own actions.

Police arrested 41 men last year between May and August in the sting operation but it did not come to light until Sen. Craig’s bust became public.

But don’t expect the staunch Republican to throw his support behind Obama or for the presidential candidate to ask Craig to change his mind and run for Senate again. Apparently the button manufacturer picked a picture of the wrong Idaho Larry.

The 3-inch button by Tigereye Design was intended to show Obama beside Larry LaRocco, the Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate, the Lewiston Tribune reported.

Craig is not seeking re-election following his arrest in a Minnesota airport restroom sex sting.

The buttons weren’t ordered by the LaRocco campaign, said Dean Ferguson, LaRocco’s communications director. They appear to have been produced by a commercial firm that makes campaign memorabilia involving Democratic races around the country, he said.

“That sounds like it’s going to be a collector’s item,” Ferguson said. “I’m sure Sen. Obama appreciates Sen. Craig’s support.”

Bill Hall, editor emeritus of the Tribune’s editorial page, said he bought 10 from the company’s Web site before they were withdrawn and fixed. The Obama-Craig buttons are no longer available for purchase.

“I realized it was a mistake, like finding a coin that’s been damaged in the making, so I quickly ordered 10 of them,” Hall said.

Neither officials with Tigereye Design nor Craig’s office could immediately be reached for comment.