In only its first month, President Donald Trump’s administration has been rife with controversy. One of the areas of strong criticism has come from the LGBTQ community.
According to the Huffington Post, on Jan. 31, the White House issued a statement saying former President Barack Obama’s amendment to Executive Order 11246 would remain in place. The original executive order stated that federal contractors could not discriminate due to race, color, religion or sex. Obama’s amendment stated that federal contractors could not discriminate against people due to their sexual orientation and/or gender identity.
At first glance, this seems like a positive thing to hear. In some ways it is, but it does not mean the LGBTQ community is in the clear. It is true Trump mentioned LGBTQ Americans in his acceptance speech to become the Republican nominee. This is the first time this has happened in the GOP
Although he personally does not agree with marriage equality, he considers the matter settled due to the 2015 Supreme Court ruling. Even throughout his campaign, he did not seem obsessed with LGBTQ persons’ sexualities and day to day lives, unlike other recent Republican politicians. Trump is not a saint when it comes to equality by any stretch of the imagination, but I do not think decimating the rights of LGBTQ Americans is his priority by any means.
However, there are many aspects of his administration that are a cause for concern. As reported by news outlets, Vice President Mike Pence is no friend of the LGBTQ community. Despite his current agreement with Trump’s statement, his record shows a long-standing pattern of prejudice.
As governor of Indiana, he tried to enact a law that allowed discrimination against LGBTQ persons via “religious freedom.” According to Time magazine, he also said being gay was a choice and he is against marriage equality. He also opposes the repeal of the don’t ask, don’t tell policy, and refused to honor Obama’s directive on transgender students. It is very possible that Pence’s ideas could influence Trump, which would not be good for the LGBTQ community.
Pence is not the only person in Trump’s circle accused of homophobia. According to the Boston Globe, Trump’s choice for education secretary, Betsy DeVos and her husband have worked against marriage equality and supported anti-LGBTQ groups. Jeff Sessions, Trump’s pick for attorney general, has voted against hate crime laws that protect LGBTQ persons and even received a score of zero from the Human Rights Campaign.
Even though Trump may not consider himself a homophobe, he has no problem putting those who are in positions where they could wreak havoc on LGBTQ rights.
Beyond whatever policies his proposed cabinet may suggest, Trump has shown he has no problem ruling by executive order. If he wanted, he could sign an order against LGBTQ people and they would have to wait it out while the courts decide what rights they have.
There is also the danger of the infamous “religious freedom” bill. These have been proposed many times in state governments and basically give private businesses the right to refuse services based on religious objections. A law like this could be enacted without removing Obama’s executive order.
Overall, these are going to be an uncertain four years for LGBTQ Americans. Although Trump himself has been relatively quiet, many of those close to him are against LGBTQ equality. For now, all people can do is pay attention, contact elected officials about laws they do not agree with and protest unjust laws and of course, vote in 2018.
