A leader's private erotic life is a personal matter that has no bearing on his or her public ethical persona. A leader's professional reputation depends solely on his or her public actions. The idea of the personality and behavioral traits of a leader can be seen through his or her public conduct rather than how they behave behind closed doors. Therefore, there is no need for them to align their private erotic lives with their public ethical personas.
It would be unfair to expect leaders to keep their sexual orientation hidden from the world. It is important for people to know who they are dealing with when they elect someone into office.
If a leader keeps mum about their sexual preferences, those who elected him or her will be shocked when they find out later that he/she is gay or straight. This could lead to distrust and animosity among constituents which may affect their judgment and leadership decisions negatively.
Despite this, leaders should exercise caution when expressing their sexual preference in public. They need to understand that being too open about it might put them in vulnerable positions especially during electioneering periods.
In some societies, homosexuality is still considered taboo hence leaders advocating for gay rights may lose votes. On the other hand, promiscuous leaders should also guard against showing off their relationships in public. Most people frown upon such behavior because it creates room for scandals that end up tarnishing one's reputation.
Leaders do not have moral obligation to align their private erotic life with their public ethical persona.
They must consider the repercussions of disclosing personal information in public. Some facts like gender, age, marital status, parental status, etc., can inform voters about the nature of leaders, but matters of sex and intimacy are better kept secret. As such, leaders can show restraint by avoiding unnecessary display of affection in public while at the same time ensuring that they keep their sexual orientation under wraps until necessary.
Are leaders morally obliged to align their private erotic life with their public ethical persona?
In terms of moral obligation, there is no clear consensus on whether leaders should align their private erotic life with their public ethical persona. This is because different cultures and belief systems may have varying perspectives regarding the relationship between personal and professional conduct. Some might argue that a leader's personal behavior should not influence their leadership style, while others believe that actions speak louder than words and that a leader's private life can reflect on their professional abilities.