Oscar Corral's Alleged Homosexuality: Slander or Libel?

Rick of South of the Palmetto has suggested that Henry Gómez might be guilty of slander for observing on his blog Herald Watch that Oscar Corral's partner in vice was of an "undetermined sex." At the moment Henry said it, this was entirely true. Henry vigorously defended himself against the charge of slander, correctly pointing out that something which is unknown is certainly open to speculation. I would also point out, though I did not myself engage in such speculations, that, under the circumstances, it is a legitimate question. The prostitute had to have a sex, one or the other. Ignoring that fact only implies that it would have been a greater offense if the prostitute had been male rather than female, which, of course, legally, it wouldn't have been.

But Rick and Henry both got one thing wrong, the same thing in fact. If Henry had personally told Rick that Alex had consorted with a male prostitute, then Henry would have been guilty of slander. But if Henry had published that allegation as a fact, as Rick accused him, then Henry would have been guilty of libel, not slander.

It is remarkable, I think, that neither of them knew the difference between slander and libel. They are certainly well-matched. We should look forward to their future contests.