Partially thanks to stereotypes about gay men, rumors around Schock’s sexually have existed since he rose to national prominence with his election to the House. The fact that he was unmarried, dressed well, posed shirtless on the cover of Men’s Health, and had an office that was decorated to look like a room in “Downton Abbey” all led to speculation that Schock was gay. In 2019, after he left office, he was photographed partying with gay men and kissing one of them, removing almost any doubt months before Schock confirmed the truth.