So, it was not so much the gay flag he was celebrating as much as the support from LGBT Americans at his rally. Second, what Trump was excited about was that LGBT Americans were supporting him, just as he would have been excited about Hispanic Americans or Black Americans or Jewish Americans supporting him, especially since all of these groups largely vote Democrat. So, if Trump's proud display of a gay flag at one of his rallies surprises you, then you do not understand who you are voting for. Most notably, Trump had Peter Thiel, the openly gay co-founder of PayPal, speak at the Republican National Convention, and Thiel did so as an out and proud gay man. It all depends on our attitude and expectations: Why are we voting for Trump? (See here for my reasons for voting for him, with caveats.)įirst, Trump's courting of LGBT Americans is nothing new, as the gay websites noted as well. Overall, then, it would seem that most LGBT Americans will not be impressed by Trump's gesture in Colorado, as he walked around the stage during the singing of "God Bless America" and proudly unfurled the rainbow flag.īut how should we react if we are conservative followers of Jesus who plan to vote for Trump? Doesn't this mean we are forfeiting our integrity and selling our souls? The Advocate also pointed that "the Log Cabin Republicans refused to endorse Trump" and an "earlier poll shows that almost three-quarters of LGBT voters will choose Clinton in the election."Īnd it was the influential Human Rights Campaign (HRC) that labelled Trump a "Huge Bigot," stating, "We have seen so much progress for the LGBTQ community under the leadership of President Barack Obama, and it all could be reversed by a Donald Trump presidency." (For a scathing attack on Trump from the HRC dated August 25, 2016, see here.) Besides, his running mate, Mike Pence, has a history of support for anti-LGBT measures, including a law during his time as Indiana's governor that would allow businesses to deny services to LGBT people based on religious reasons." In contrast, the Advocate noted that, "LGBT advocates have spurned Trump, saying that his gestures amount to little more than pandering - he opposes marriage equality and has wavered on transgender rights and the Equality Act, which would ban anti-LGBT employment and housing discrimination. The Blade also quoted Chris Barron, "a gay conservative activist and founder of LGBT for Trump," who called him "the most pro-LGBT Pres candidate ever nominated by either party." (Spoken with true Trumper hyperbole!)
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The Washington Blade was more neutral, stating, "LGBT advocates continue to criticize Donald Trump for the anti-LGBT positions he's laid over the course of his presidential campaign, but they can't say he's never waved a rainbow Pride flag." Interestingly, major gay websites like were not impressed with his gesture, declaring, "It's an empty gesture from the Republican nominee, who opposes marriage equality and has a proudly homophobic running mate." He is the author of 25 books and hosts the nationally syndicated, daily talk radio show, the Line of Fire. in Near Eastern Languages and Literatures from New York University and has served as a professor at a number of seminaries.
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On October 30, at a rally in Colorado, Donald Trump proudly held up a rainbow-colored, gay flag on which was written "LGBT's for Trump."Īs Christian conservatives, what are we to make of this? Is it yet another proof that we must compromise our morals to vote for him? And will he betray us once elected? Michael Brown holds a Ph.D.
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Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump holds up a rainbow flag with "LGBTs for TRUMP" written on it at a campaign rally in Greeley, Colorado, U.S.