We’re down to the wire, and with any luck we won’t wake up Wednesday morning to find it wrapped around our necks.
Without a doubt, this is the most fraught election in modern memory. In Donald Trump, the Republican party has selected an authoritarian and narcissistic liar who threatens the basic norms of democracy. Hillary Clinton is a somewhat flawed candidate, but she’s well within the bounds of normal politics. In fact, the debates showed she has the experience and temperament to be a fine president. Trump does not. His fly-by-the-seat style, his complete lack of transparency about his taxes and finances, his ignorance, and his vengefulness would be disastrous in the White House and the world. It’s literally a battle between the most pro-gay candidate ever to enter the White House vs one who would essentially turn over domestic politics to the religious and alt right.
Here’s a reminder of just what’s a stake in tomorrow’s election. Vote, vote as if your life depended on it.
President Mike Pence
How about we take this to the next level?
Our newsletter is like a refreshing cocktail (or mocktail) of LGBTQ+ entertainment and pop culture, served up with a side of eye-candy.
It’s bad enough to think about the homophobic Pence having a seat near the heart of government. (That’s especially true since Trump may just delegate all domestic and foreign policy decisions to his vice president.) But what if something happens to Trump? Besides the usual health worries, Trump seems to be a walking compendium of high crimes and misdemeanors, the criteria for impeachment. If Trump University is found to be a fraud, or if an investigation into his bizarre personal foundation turns up something, or if he flouted tax laws, even Republicans may throw him overboard. In fact, they may prefer Pence. But imagine what Pence could do as president, the first truly religious right president. Repealing Obama’s executive orders would be the least of it. Pence would try to turn back the clock as far as possible.
The religious right let loose
Just last Friday Tony Perkins, head of the Family Research Council, boasted about how the Trump campaign essentially let him write the party platform, the most homophobic ever. Perkins complained that previous nominees kept reining him in, but not Trump. “They actually worked with us on the platform,” Perkins exalted. For a man who doesn’t seem to mind us, Trump has surrounded himself with an antigay cabal. With his hands-off style (except when it comes to women), Trump will probably turn the machinery of government over to that group. With no one to stop them, they will have a field day doing whatever they want, and that won’t be good for us.
Supreme Court at risk
The religious right is standing by Trump largely because he can preserve the conservative majority on the Court. That ought to be a clue as the importance of the election. As long as Anthony Kennedy (above) remains on the Court, it’s unlikely that the justices will erode the legal gains we’ve made over the past decade. However, Kennedy is 80 years old, so his retirement might be around the corner. You can be sure that the right wing will promote a candidate that will start cutting into those gains as soon as possible. That might not mean reversing marriage equality, but it would mean broad religious liberty exemptions. Already, Trump has floated a list of potential choices that includes Sen. Mike Lee, who would be disastrous.
That Putin bromance
Of all the world leaders to adore, Trump has to pick Vladimir Putin, one of the most homophobic tyrants. That’s a sure sign that Trump will ignore human rights overseas. He won’t be lecturing Russian officials the way that Hillary Clinton did about LGBTQ equality and other issues. To our shame, Putin’s record of harassing the gay community will get a free pass. Trump’s willingness to ignore intelligence briefings that clearly tie Russia to the serial email hackings of Democrats is just a sample of the kind of blind eye he will turn to Putin’s actions. If Trump won’t even acknowledge Russia’s meddling in this election, why should he lift a finger for gays in Russia?
The historic promise of Clinton
It’s not all about Trump. Except when her email is in the news, Clinton has been the forgotten candidate in this election. But Clinton has run a campaign that promises to extend the progress we’ve made under Obama. Clinton will enter office not only as the first female president but the first who is entirely on board with LGBTQ equality, far farther along than Obama when he was elected. She “evolved” before she entered office, not after like Obama and her husband. It’s worth remembering that it’s not just a question of avoiding disaster on Tuesday. It’s also the chance to keep things moving in the right direction.
You can’t have a starker choice than that.
1EqualityUSA
Let’s start working on 2018, the boring elections, to ensure that the obstructionists are pruned. Middle of the road, nothing too extreme, common sense, steady leadership. We need the majority This election showed the haters clearly. Let’s rid ourselves of the haters with our votes. 2018 Democrats will be defending 25 seats to the GOP’s 8. We need to motivate voters now for 2018.
leobaga
Paid for by Hillary Clinton.
leobaga
Hillary Clinton had the chance to make gay rights history. She refused.
During her first run for president in 2008, Hillary Clinton had an opportunity to become an undisputed leader in the gay rights movement.
As she prepared for a forum on the gay-oriented Logo network, she reached out to her friend Hilary Rosen, a political consultant who is a lesbian. Rosen expressed frustration that so many mainstream political figures opposed legalized same-sex marriage, and she challenged Clinton to speak out for a community that had strongly supported her.
Clinton refused.
leobaga
If it weren’t for Obama, gay marriage would still be illegal today. Hillary would have no guts. She only supports it now because gay acceptance is now the majority.
1EqualityUSA
and…how does this make Trump appear more palatable?
leobaga
@1EqualityUSA: Donald Trump is destroying the ultra homophobic GOP. If Trump wins on Tuesday, a new Republican Party will be born.
His argument is largely based around his efforts to curtail what he calls “radical Islam,” which he blames for the Pulse nightclub shooting which left 49 people dead and 53 others injured.
“I’m far better for the gay community than she is. She talks a lot about it, and yet she’ll allow people in to the U.S. that want to kill people from the community, from that community, and I think it’s terrible,” Trump said of Hillary Clinton.
Couldn’t agree more!
1EqualityUSA
A good politician evolves. They represent a constituency. The GOP will go obsolete unless they evolve. Big business doesn’t do business with obsolete.
1EqualityUSA
leobaga,I’m sorry for your disappointment. I know you really wanted your candidate to win. I hope Trump reflects on this election and becomes a better human being. These elections are very purifying. We do forgive people here, so that’s cool. Got to go have lunch with a friend. Take care.
Baba Booey Fafa Fooey
“I’m far better for the gay community than she is. She talks a lot about it, and yet she’ll allow people in to the U.S. that want to kill people from the community, from that community, and I think it’s terrible,”
@leobaga: Me too. It’s bizarre his comments are considered radical though. Just like candidates who weren’t afraid to vocalize support for gay marriage were deemed “unelectable” because of their pro-gay views. Funny how it’s Republicans this time around.
ErikO
@leobaga: Very true. Hillary is actually against LGBT rights, and has been shown to be extremely homophobic and biphobic and against LGBT rights, this is the same woman who got DOMA and Don’t ask don’t tell passed, and she has been shown to be r a c i s t against blacks as well.
Stilinski26
How is Trump worse than the former republican Presidents who I presume were all Anti LGBT? To be honest as long as Trump stays neutral on LGBT issues there wouldn’t be much problem. LGBT in America has already given equal rights and same sex marriage are legal. they are protected by the law. The bigger issues here are corrupt government who are funding wars and supplying weapons in the middle east that needs to stop. Also the last thing America should be doing is taunting Russia to start war!
1EqualityUSA
Supreme Court will set the pace of our progress for 4 decades.
broadshoulder
I am not American…but…I am heartily sick of Trump and Clinton…
I am not voting, but am tired of the British press having these on the front covers while the post brexit nonsense gets under way.We need to ignore these people and get brexit sorted out.
Oh, and I wouldn’t vote for either one..
Billysees
@leobaga:
” If it weren’t for Obama, gay marriage would still be illegal today. ”
How perfectly true. We owe much to his leadership.
Don’t forget the much and steady progress the LGBT community has obtained in being liked and respected over these many years regardless of the ‘political situation’. The Supreme Court has largely been very very helpful in making all of these good things happen.
Charlie in Charge
I look forward to Clinton’s presidency. Trump’s words of hatred and poison would serve to radicalize new terrorists that would take more LGBT lives. He is not a safe person for us to have in the White House.
everybodywinsyay
@1EqualityUSA: Things don’t just “evolve” the way you think. Gay rights or gay equality can and will easily evolve backwards too. Just because something is “accepted” or celebrated today doesn’t mean it will be tomorrow. Hang on to today because it will not always be this way.
adrianjurado310
yah get those dominos falling
http://giphy.com/gifs/WmkYhCt0Ddnyw/html5
TimberWolf
This election is a blood bath of cover ups with both parties. Pence, huge mistake on the Republican party and for Trump. Nothing says disaster than the cold eyes and serious demure of Pence, there is nothing but power and control and dislike for the LGBT community. Trump may be loud, obnoxious and absolutely inexperienced in politics and Pence will run everything. Hillary, brutishly cold whatever the Republican party does she will do the opposite to have power and be president,whatever it takes even if she is forced to do so just to win popularity but when it comes down to her own decision she would not support LGBT community or marriage
1EqualityUSA
This description is compelling, TimberWolf, but it doesn’t jive with what the “normal” Republicans say about her. They say she’s talented, professional, and works well with both parties.
dwes09
@1EqualityUSA: Nor does his post correspond to the facts. The right wing types here do not care what “normal” Republicans say about Clinton. Nor do they care about her actions. They are living in a fantasy world where the only threat to LGBT people is Muslim immigrants, and where Hillary welcomes them in to create a bloodbath.
You may be sure that in 4 years when Hillary has continued the economic recovery of this country, when the Supreme Court is once again fully peopled and supporting social progress, as crime continues to decrease…they will still be screaming about how horrible things are.
One of the funniest things about this election is how in previous elections the Muslim population (like the Cuban population they represent upper middle class and upper class refugees who were driven by business interests before they left their countries) has been strongly Republican. Trump has essentially driven them all to the Democratic party, and a significant number of Cubans as well.
dwes09
@Stilinski26: “How is Trump worse than the former republican Presidents who I presume were all Anti LGBT? To be honest as long as Trump stays neutral on LGBT issues there wouldn’t be much problem.”
He has hardly been silent on LGBT issues. He gave his approval in the press to the most homophobic Republican party platform ever (saying it was good). He has jumped at the chance to break bread and strategize with the most homophobic of the religious right and specifically said they would have the easiest time advancing their agenda with him in the white house. He has specifically named anti-gay judges as his SCOTUS choices.
Where exactly have you been hiding for the past year? What imaginary world have any of you right wingers been living in!?
1EqualityUSA
When Rebiblicans have power, they abuse it. The Democratic party may swell with new constituents soon. The GOP is flawed. Oppression is uninspired. Crossovers are looking for more sane, happier hunting grounds. If we Democrats garner power over the next century, let’s take care not to abuse it. Our message will carry us, so no need to cheat.
mikeinwny
Describing Lady MacDeath as “well within the bounds of normal politics” is highly disturbing.
1EqualityUSA
As for Obama Care, work the bugs out Massachusetts-style. They did it. The obstructionists are dead wood. The true payoff, for preventative health care, will not even be seen for three decades. It’s cheaper to treat high blood pressure with a pill than to, later, hook the person up to a dialysis machine three times weekly. What fools these mortals be.
baggins435
From reading these comments I guess it has never occurred to some of you that the reason for immigrating to the U.S. is to get away from an oppressive government. That maybe they don’t agree with everything their native government/religion represents. Granted, there will probably be some extremists in the bunch, but there always have been among immigrants as well as among natural born citizens. News flash, not all Republicans are bad, and not all Democrats are good. The same goes for every religion and form of government on the planet. But the thing about voting for Trump is you are supporting the GOP’s anti-LGBT platform. No matter how you personally feel about Trump or Clinton, you can’t forget the fact that this is the most anti-LGBT platform in history and they intend to reverse marriage equality if they can. Trump has even stated he likes ignorant supporters.
1EqualityUSA
Trump is the result of underfunding schools for generations. Obstructionists claw at initiatives designed to educate. An undereducated population made to feel financially vulnerable is an easy herd.
ErikO
@1EqualityUSA: Both Democrats and Republicans cheat and abuse power. We are slowly moving towards a one party system as both parties have been the same for decades and continue to be the same. Hillary is actually a moderate conservative.
John Allman
If I was an American homophobe, oppressed and denied equality merely because he happened to be a homophobic person, an American member of the homophobic victim group of the hate group that spouts their bigotry every day against us homophobic people, and I believed that the election of Trump as president stood a chance of reversing history, destroying what this headline euphemistically calls “LBTQ Freedom & Equality”, then the said Trump would likely get my vote.
1EqualityUSA
Middle of the road, common sense measures, fair Supreme Court justices who do not coerce from the bench, sounds good to me. Wall Street likes steady too. The Tea Party spun the GOP into the ground by being too radical and pushing their religion onto civil laws. Dems need to take care not to radicalize too much in the other direction. The obstruction is tedious.
1EqualityUSA
John Allman, Your cough syrup may be a little strong.
1EqualityUSA
ErikO, I see your one party and raise you three. There will be four parties.
stadacona
Americans can’t just move to Canada. That would make you an illegal.
captainburrito
@leobaga: Why would gay marriage be illegal without Obama? O_O
ErikO
@John Allman: Stop posting while drunk. Hillary is the one that’s against LGBT rights as she wants to bring in 500,000 muslims who hate LGBT people and are from countries where they execute us and murder us.
leobaga
The corrupt Queerty is silent right now.
batesmotel
Trump is officially the next President. Looks like Queerty lost! We called it. You should’ve listened, but you insisted it wouldn’t be him. The majority have spoken and they voted Trump! I knew it. I knew the silent majority were going to be voting for Trump. They just didn’t tell you, because you are now the modern day lynch mob.
stadacona
New York queer leftists on suicide watch.
girldownunder
Too bad the crooked DNC decided to screw the voters by rigging the election to Clinton & steal it away from the true nominee: Bernie Sanders. They ALL voted for Trump.
You reap what you sow.
Happy NOW???
Brian
I got sick of identity politics and all this GLBTQ nonsense. Male homosexual desire is what we should aim for, not GLBTQ.
Billy Budd
The world was already a fucked up place even before Trump. Now we will have WWIII and persecution of minorities. I donT belive in god , but I know that only a miracle can save us all.