Washington Examiner columnist Brad Polumbo, a self-identified gay “libertarian conservative,” has slammed a group of queer charity organizations, accusing them of exploiting the coronavirus pandemic to earn money.
Polumbo penned his column in response to an open letter to Congress signed by groups like the Human Rights Campaign, GLAAD and Lambda Legal, which cited scientific research that LGBTQ people are more susceptible to COVID-19 due to a variety of risk factors. He accuses the groups–and queer people more broadly–of playing the victim.
“This is, frankly, ridiculous,” writes Polumbo. “The coronavirus is a virus. It does not care if you are gay. Efforts to somehow make a global pandemic evidence of anti-gay and anti-transgender oppression is a case of shameless self-victimization at its worst.”
Related: Rush Limbaugh’s guest host blames the gays for COVID-19 lockdown
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Polumbo then goes on to deride claims that LGBTQ Americans lack or face discrimination in healthcare, or suffer from higher rates of weakened immune systems due to HIV and smoking. He claims there is no reason to believe queer Americans smoke at higher rates or face any kind of discrimination. Polumbo also states that HIV+ people are not at higher risk for COVID-19, citing an article that does make that assertion…so long as HIV+ patients take antiretroviral medications. Apparently, Polumbo believes that treatment automatically becomes available to anyone that contracts HIV.
“This letter is just another cynical attempt by left-wing gay and transgender activist organizations to fuel the fake victimhood narrative they need to keep their donor base engaged. Shame on them for extending their identity politics addiction to a global crisis,” Polumbo claims.
Brad Polumbo has a history of attacking other members of the queer community. In January, he slammed Washington DC’s Mid-Atlantic Leather weekend as an affront to the community for promoting kink.
PLAYS WELL WITH OTHERS
You just absolutely know she is the ultimate super sub..
Jared MacBride
If she doesn’t set off your gaydar nothing will.
Den
No offense, but why would you assume that someone as intellectually challenged and self-hating as this guy would necessarily be a sub?
What kind of internalized homophobia are YOU showing us?
One’s preferred role has nothing to do with whether one is out or closeted, liberal or deluded, or drinking the FOX/Trump kool-aid.
Noting he writes for the Washington Examiner is indication enough of his dullness. Its owner is a prominent (113th richest man according to Forbes) donor to anti-gay and anti-trans organizations, as well as organizations that promote intelligent design and climate change denial. HE ALSO OWNS THE COACHELLA FESTIVAL (a good reason not to go).
Kieran
Princess, stop projecting.
djmcgamester
It’s about health risk. A fair number of people in the LGBT+ community have compromised immune systems. Hence, organizations seek money to help those people. If any of us are healthy it doesn’t make a difference. We won’t be taking any money. This dude is an idiot.
Cam
Nothing enrages Republicans more than the thought that somewhere, somebody might get something.
A Republican billionaire could be sitting in his 10th mansion but if you tell him that somebody on food stamps has a cell phone for their job, he will rant for an hour about that.
This one is still trying to prove to the GOP that she doesn’t mind entering the party through the side door, so please invite her.
ray444
What an excellent comment! I couldn’t have said it better myself.
david_warner
Poor little snowflake can’t deal! If he wants to be part of the Party of Hate, that wants to see him disenfranchised or dead, let’s let him go … but don’t let him into our establishments and parties to enjoy the rights the left has secured for all of us.
Josh in OR
Exactly. Him and Aaron Schock should throw a pity party for all the DOZENS of quislings and vichy gays that they represent to commiserate about how mean the rest of us are for not wanting to have sex with them.
Doug
“Libertarian conservative?” I’m so tired of these labels. He’s just another self-hating Rebublican gay man.
PoetDaddy
“He claims there is no reason to believe queer Americans smoke at higher rates or face any kind of discrimination.” Except maybe the actual statistical, empirical evidence?
Den
Remember, the Right does not think that facts are that useful in the formation of opinions (or policy). They prefer to rely on ignorance, imagination and faith.
Hussain-TheCanadian
Where is the Republican outrage over Trump giving 2.2 Trillion to the banks JUST COUPLE OF DAYS AGO!!!!
#socialismForTheRich
BigJohnSF
But he’s right. No one is more susceptible to this virus because of their sexuality. Sure, if they have poorly treated HIV, or smoke cigarettes (and is there data that smoking is more common among gays?) they are more susceptible, So money should go to attacking those problems. HRC, GLAAD, and Lambda Legal have to business asking for money because of the Corona virus.
Heywood Jablowme
“is there data that smoking is more common among gays?”
Yes! Ten seconds of online ‘research’ will answer that question for you. The rate about ten years ago was around 33%, vs. 19% in the general population.
From a 2014 article in Slate: “the LGBTQ community spends an astonishing $7.9 billion every year on tobacco, about 65 times the amount of money spent on all LGBTQ lobbying.” I bet HRC, GLAAD and Lambda Legal are aware of this depressing statistic!
Den
Obviously, as you clearly demonstrate that people do not realize the LGBT community has certain specific demographic issues related directly to the stresses caused by marginalization: these organizations are correct (and astute) in highlighting it.
And if bringing these things to light gets them the money they need to be better advocates for ALL OF US, more power to them!
robbduffy
That is the ultimate oxymoron. Gay conservative. He must hate himself a lot.
Bobby
I’m gay and am Republican more or less, and I do not hate myself. I’m not one bit ashamed to be gay lol.
wikidBSTN
What ever Brad has stuck up his butt, he needs to know it’s time to finally take it out – and get a life.
Josh in OR
Brad Polumbo, a filthy quisling: Complains that LGBT people are raising money for good causes instead of donating it directly to Donald Trump’s coffers.
Everyone else: Eat s***, you vichy s***stain.
woodroad34
“This letter is just another cynical attempt by left-wing gay and transgender activist organizations to fuel the fake victimhood narrative they need to keep their donor base engaged. Shame on them for extending their identity politics addiction to a global crisis,” Polumbo claims.” “Left-wing gay and transgender activist organizations”? Looks who’s politicizing now. However, I was reading about how Protease Inhibitors do have an effect on Covid-19….but the tone of his article is an arrogant piece of opinion with minimal facts and a lot of self-hatred. He sounds like he screeches and stamps his foot alot with hands on delicate hips. Go gay Conservatives (libertarian or not)! Go far far away.
SportGuy
What a freaking moron.
GonzaX
Sorry, but i think in this issue, he’s totally right.
Maybe they should have talk for HIV+ Status as a more compromise people for the virus, but not speak for all the community. Sometimes is true that the left wing tries to put some exagerate things in the LGBT Movement.
Cam
Except for the fact that rates of smoking are higher in the LGBTQ community. So please explain why reporting that simple fact seems to upset you.
Hdtex
Adding Polumbo’s name to my COVID-19 shortlist.
redzebra1
They made a fair point just simply that GLBTIQ people are discriminated against for healthcare. He doesn’t care though, just wants to be seen to join the Party of Hate. Ban him from our venues!