US congressional candidate Chris Gallant confirms he modelled BDSM gear before politics
The politician, who is gay, is challenging Republican incumbent Nick LaLota for New York’s First Congressional District
By Callum Wells
US congressional candidate Chris Gallant has confirmed he once modelled BDSM and fetish gear for a San Francisco leather retailer.
The politician, who is gay, is challenging Republican incumbent Nick LaLota for New York’s First Congressional District after winning the Democratic primary in June. The pair will go head-to-head in November.
According to the New York Post, Gallant appeared in promotional photos for Mr S Leather taken between 2011 and 2020. They show him modelling leather, bondage gear and other fetishwear.
“The photographs are authentic and were taken during a private, consensual photo session involving Chris and his then-partner” – Gallant’s attorney
At the time, he was serving in the Army National Guard, having joined the US Army at 17, later becoming a National Guard warrant officer and Black Hawk helicopter pilot. He also worked as an FAA air traffic controller and is a volunteer firefighter.
Gallant’s attorney has confirmed that the photographs are genuine. She said they were taken during a private photoshoot involving Gallant and his then-partner, with the couple’s relationship lasting four years.
“The photographs are authentic and were taken during a private, consensual photo session involving Chris and his then-partner, with whom he was in a committed four-year relationship,” Gallant’s attorney Sara Azari told the newspaper
“Chris was also friends with the owner of Mr. S Leather, and the shoot was intended to be fun and personal, with the understanding that Mr. S could use select images in connection with certain products,” she said.
Is Chris Gallant single?
Gallant is now engaged to a fellow member of the military, who is currently stationed overseas.
He lives in Amity Harbor and was born and raised on Long Island. Gallant has said he has been openly gay in the military since shortly after the end of ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’.
His campaign focuses on issues including the cost of living, healthcare, infrastructure, veterans and public safety.