Let’s start this off with allegedly. Lindsey Graham, the late Republican senator, is the subject of a new documentary titled The CLOSETocracy, released by The Young Turks and Swamp Watch Studios. The film features three men who allege they were paid for sexual encounters with Graham, with one interviewee claiming he was 17 years old at the time of his alleged encounter..
In the documentary, a man identified as Kelvin states that he “had sex with Lindsey Graham when [he] was 17.” He alleges the encounter took place in Arizona in 2001, when Graham was serving in the U.S. House of Representatives. Kelvin says he received $120 and describes Graham questioning him about his age.
Another interviewee, Cory Burns, who performs under the name Sean Harding, alleges he met Graham at Washington, D.C.’s Mayflower Hotel in November 2015. Burns claims a booking was arranged through an intermediary and that he received $1,500 for an overnight encounter. He also describes alleged requests involving domination and degrading language.
1/10 This is FAR more dark than you realize… We all knew Lindsey Graham was gay. That’s not the problem. The problem is he paid male escorts, including a minor, for sex, and was apparently filmed doing so. That blackmail obviously ended up in the hands of foreign adversaries.
— Adam Cochran (adamscochran.eth) (@adamscochran) October 22, 2026
A third interviewee, identified as Jesse, alleges he had encounters with the politician at Washington hotels in 2012 and 2014. According to the documentary’s accompanying website, he says he received a total of $510.
The film presents the men’s accounts alongside documents and archival footage. However, The Advocate reports that it has not independently verified the allegations. The documents presented by the filmmakers may support details such as travel and timing, but they do not independently establish what allegedly happened during the encounters.
READ: Hunter Biden: “Everybody Knew” About Lindsey Graham and the “DC Closetocracy”
Graham’s LGBTQ+ Political Record
The documentary also revisits the controversial politician’s decades-long political career and his opposition to LGBTQ+ rights initiatives.
In March 2021, the politician vowed to “talk until I fell over” to prevent the Equality Act from passing. He also opposed the Respect for Marriage Act, which protects federal recognition of same-sex marriages, and supported efforts to restrict marriage equality.
The film juxtaposes the men’s allegations with archival footage of Graham responding to questions about his sexuality. In one clip, he says, “I’m not gay.”
For LGBTQ+ audiences, the contrast between the Lindsey’s public policy positions and the men’s allegations may raise questions about political accountability. However, the claims do not establish Graham’s sexual orientation, and his political record should be examined separately from allegations about his private conduct.
Lindsey died on July 11, 2026, at age 71. His sister, Darline Graham, was appointed to fill his Senate seat. In the documentary, she declines to engage with a question about the allegations concerning her brother.
Beyond Graham, the Film Examines Sex Work
Beyond the controversy surrounding the controversial politician, the documentary also explores the interviewees’ experiences with sex work and the circumstances that led them into the industry.
Economic insecurity, stigma, and rejection can shape the options available to LGBTQ+ people seeking work, stability, and acceptance. Those experiences deserve attention beyond the political headlines.
Ultimately, The CLOSETocracy raises questions about power, public accountability, and LGBTQ+ rights. Its allegations remain unverified, and the men’s accounts should be reported as claims rather than established events. Graham’s documented political legacy, meanwhile, can be scrutinized on its own merits.