While some may view this as a snub, such indifference actually positions LGBTs - at least for now - as an unlikely bridge between America’s outraged left and Trump’s right-wing policymakers.īillionaire techie Peter Thiel, for instance, became the first openly gay man to ever address a Republican National Convention this summer, while Trump’s recent inauguration festivities featured a series of high-profile LGBT events. Unlike Obama, Trump appears uninterested in traditional identity politics. And both, eventually, were dismantled under Obama - whose presidency also ushered in everything from marriage equality to hate-crime and equal-housing legislation. From activists to policy groups, progressives endlessly attacked Obama for failing to repeal the onerous Don’t Ask/Don’t Tell and the Defense of Marriage Act in his first year.īoth, of course, were actually enacted by Bill Clinton. Barely six months into his presidency, a 2009 cover story in the LGBT magazine The Advocate brazenly declared that Obama had failed LGBTs - or at least hadn’t lived up to his promises. Take Barack Obama - who left office as the most pro-LGBT president in US history. It’s also worth pointing out that LGBT groups have a worrisome history of casting off new presidents far too early in their administrations. But he also opposed last year’s now-infamous anti-trans bathroom battles in North Carolina and was one of the first country club owners in snooty Palm Beach to admit gay couples. True, Trump seems to favor religious-freedom acts exempting faith-based groups from serving gay customers or performing same-sex weddings. He has yet to suggest he wants to shut them out, so they shouldn’t shut him out, either. In truth, much like his predecessor, you might say Trump is “evolving.” And the lesson some LGBT groups seem unwilling or unable to learn is that they may actually be able to work with Trump. Yet at the same time, key cabinet members, including Vice President Mike Pence, have long histories of enacting and supporting anti-LGBT legislation. On one hand, Trump has repeatedly declared he has little interest in rolling back LGBT rights - including marriage equality.
LGBT confusion over President Trump is understandable. It was a rare moment of relief for progressive groups panicking over every potential new Trump proposal. In fact, by late Monday, the White House announced just the opposite - that it’s maintaining a landmark Obama-era executive order protecting LGBT federal workers and contractors. “Possible Trump Action Specifically Targeting LGBTQ People,” screamed the media folks at the Human Rights Commission, America’s largest LGBT rights group.Įven the Washington Post weighed in with a tweet from reporter Josh Rogin “confirming” that a draft order “on LGBT issues including adoption” was well past the prep stage at the Trump White House. “Anti-Gay Executive Order is Coming Soon,” warned gay blog JoeMyGod. Rumors were swirling across LGBT media on Monday about an imminent executive order targeting gays and lesbians. Wade will impact voters at the midterms-but not how you thinkĮric Adams rightly asks NYC blacks to help save their own streets Here are some luxurious new reasons to visit Israel this summer America might finally be waking up to ‘wokeness’