Since Donald Trump’s election in 2016, a narrative has persisted within the Republican Party, asserting that he was the most LGBTQ+-friendly president ever to occupy the Oval Office. As we approach the 2024 Presidential Election, it’s crucial to dispel this misleading notion, a falsehood that played a role in bringing Trump to power in the first place.
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The Dubious Endorsement: Log Cabin Republicans and Trump’s LGBTQ+ Allegiance
During the 2020 election, Trump nearly doubled his support within the LGBTQ+ community, a statistic often brandished by Republicans to label him the most “pro-gay” president. The Log Cabin Republicans, an organization claiming to work towards inclusivity on LGBTQ+ issues within the GOP, controversially endorsed Trump in 2019. The endorsement hinged on Trump’s promise to combat HIV/AIDS by 2030 and the appointment of Richard Grenell, a gay man, as the US Ambassador to Germany.
However, Trump’s commitment to ending HIV/AIDS is marred by his administration’s policies hindering HIV prevention. The endorsement also spotlighted the appointment of Grenell as a token gesture in an otherwise non-diverse cabinet. This move caused internal divisions among Log Cabin Republicans, reflecting the discord within the LGBTQ+ community.
Trump’s LGBTQ+ Record: A Closer Look
As a proud gay man and former Republican, it is challenging to identify any LGBTQ+-friendly policies enacted during Trump’s presidency. Trump’s populist rhetoric, which attracted discriminatory elements, compromised the GOP’s claim to moral leadership. Token appointments and lip service cannot overshadow the hostility fueled by Trump’s divisive discourse.
Rising Threats: The Consequence of Trump’s Populism
Trump’s rhetoric has fueled a surge in so-called “parents’ rights” groups targeting the LGBTQ+ community. These groups advocate for discriminatory policies in schools, contributing to the erosion of LGBTQ+ rights and safety. The reinvigorated attack on the LGBTQ+ community has driven some away from the GOP.
A recent Gallup survey indicates a decline in GOP support for gay marriage, dropping from 56% in 2022 to 41%, correlating with Trumpian populism. Threats against the LGBTQ+ community are on the rise, manifesting in harassment and violence.
Project 2025: A Grim Outlook for LGBTQ+ Rights
Project 2025, associated with far-right hate groups and former Trump staffers, presents a “Mandate for Leadership” anticipating Trump’s potential return. This platform advocates for the repeal of anti-discrimination protections, opposes LGBTQ+ equity laws, and supports regressive policies regarding transgender individuals and homosexual parentage.
The Log Cabin Republicans must cease perpetuating the dangerous myth that Trump supports the LGBTQ+ community, as a potential second term for him poses a significant threat to LGBTQ+ rights. Failing to debunk this lie makes them complicit in potential harm to the community, an act history will not forgive.
