Skip to content

Human Rights Campaign: Trump Would be Disaster for LGBT Americans

Five-point memo highlights GOP nominee's 'extreme and dangerous' views

Human Rights Campaign is preparing its message against Donald Trump. (Photo By Al Drago/CQ Roll Call)
Human Rights Campaign is preparing its message against Donald Trump. (Photo By Al Drago/CQ Roll Call)

One of the nation’s top gay rights advocacy groups is preparing its message on how Donald Trump would be bad for LGBT rights.  

A memo from the Human Rights Campaign made five points highlighting the presumptive Republican presidential nominee’s record on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender issues based on what he’s said as a candidate.  

The group endorsed Hillary Clinton during the Democratic presidential primary, though it has also endorsed Republicans supportive of LGBT rights like Illinois Sen. Mark S. Kirk and Rep. Robert J. Dold.  

[

Will Pro-LGBT Stances Hurt GOP Senators?

]  

The first major point addressed Trump’s longstanding opposition to same-sex marriage, and the fact he would appoint justices to the Supreme Court who would reverse its 2015 ruling that upheld marriage rights for same-sex couples.    

The memo said Trump would also support the so-called “First Amendment Defense Act,” which would prohibit the federal government from taking punitive or discriminatory action against people who are opposed to same-sex marriage or extramarital sexual relations.   

“FADA would undermine the rule of law and promote taxpayer-funded discrimination against same-sex couples,” the memo said, adding that it would give leniency to people like Kim Davis, an elected county clerk in Kentucky who refused to grant marriage licenses to same-sex couples last year.  

[

For Gay Lawmaker, Court’s Decision Personal, Powerful, Profound

]  

For his part, Trump’s own views on the subject and on Davis have varied. Last year, he told Fox News that despite his views on same-sex marriage, “this was not the right job for her.”  

However, the memo pointed to a letter Trump wrote to a conservative group in December where he said, “If Congress considers the First Amendment Defense Act a priority, then I will do all I can to make sure it comes to my desk for signatures and enactment.”  

The memo also highlighted Trump’s flip-flop on North Carolina’s controversial House Bill 2 law which prevents transgender people from using a bathroom that does not correspond to their gender at birth.   

[

In North Carolina, LGBT Bill is Political and Personal

]  

Trump initially said North Carolina’s economy suffered because of the law but that same day, he said that as president, he would let states decide the issue.  

“Essentially, he’s suggesting that if a state wants to go through with a law that puts [LGBT] people at risk for discrimination and harassment, he will stand by and hope for the best,” the memo said.   

The memo also said that Trump would overturn many of President Barack Obama’s executive orders protecting LGBT employees of federal contractors from discrimination. It further noted that the LGBT community includes many groups whom Trump has offended such as women, immigrants, Muslims and Latinos. .  

[

Why Trump Could Do Lasting Damage to the GOP

]  

“His policy positions are extreme and dangerous and he has attempted to obfuscate his views because he knows they are out of step with the vast majority of voters who’ll go to the polls in November,” the organization wrote.

Contact Garcia at 


EricGarcia@cqrollcall.com


 and follow him on Twitter 


@EricMGarcia

.

Recent Stories

DHS tightens protocol for lawmaker visits to immigration facilities

Senate Republicans echo Trump allegations on Biden autopen use

At the Races: The politics of war

On Iran strikes messaging, Trump aides opt to run it up the flagpole

Anthony D’Esposito looks to go from cop to congressman to inspector general

Outlook darkens for Social Security, Medicare solvency