President Trump’s former acting head of National Intelligence, Richard Grenell, has criticized LGBTQ advocacy group HRC for being “partisan”. In a tweet posted last night, Grenell, who is gay, slammed corporates for donating to the organization. He instead suggested they should donate to the Log Cabin Republicans.
“Corporations who give money to Human Rights Campaign are supporting ugly partisanship. US businesses should stop giving to HRC or give the same amount of money to conservative gay groups like @LogCabinGOP.”
Corporations who give money to Human Rights Campaign are supporting ugly partisanship.
US businesses should stop giving to HRC or give the same amount of money to conservative gay groups like @LogCabinGOP. https://t.co/nlPgjQpR8g
— Richard Grenell (@RichardGrenell) August 27, 2020
The tweet exchange between HRC and Grenell came after the latter delivered his speech at the virtual Republican National Convention.
Related: Gay diplomat Richard Grenell praises Trump for his going-away gift
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Grenell is believed to be only the third openly gay person to deliver a speech at the RNC (after Rep. Jim Kolbe in 2000 and entrepreneur Peter Thiel in 2016).
Despite this, and being appointed recently as senior adviser for LGBTQ outreach to the Republican National Committee, Grenell – like Kolbe – did not mention his sexuality during his speech.
Instead, he used his platform to praise President Trump’s foreign policy, emphasizing it was designed to prioritize America’s national interests.
What an absolutely brutal speech from @RichardGrenell pic.twitter.com/eNgsnumtbJ
— Kyle Kashuv (@KyleKashuv) August 27, 2020
Grenell was appointed US ambassador to Germany in April 2018 by Trump, before landing the intelligence role in mid-February. He served in the role until June after Trump put forward John Ratcliffe for the permanent. Senate-approved position.
Last week, Grenell released a video via the Log Cabin Republicans praising Trump for being “most pro-gay president”. This and other claims have led the HRC, the most prominent LGBTQ advocacy group in the US, to dub the former ambassador “Gaslight Grenell.”
The war of words between HRC and Grenell continued last night.
Responding to Grenell’s RNC speech, HRC president Alphonso David said in a statement, “‘Gaslight Grenell’ doesn’t speak for LGBTQ people or our movement. As a gay man, ‘Gaslight Grenell’ couldn’t even say ‘gay’ or ‘LGBTQ,’ which is unsurprising, given that this administration has taken every opportunity to dehumanize LGBTQ people and undermine our basic rights. It’s also unsurprising given we have exposed Trump’s lies and Grenell’s hypocrisy in supporting him.”
On Twitter, the HRC said, “Richard ‘Gaslight” Grenell wants us to think that his mere presence on the stage will cancel out Trump’s blatant attacks on LGBTQ people. This came moments before homophobe Mike Pence took the stage. Shameful he’s using his LGBTQ identity as a shield for this president. #RNC2020.”
It went on to highlight how Grenell calling Trump “the most pro-gay President” ever was not true.
Gaslight Grenell strikes again. pic.twitter.com/wwXMqHSvuw
— Human Rights Campaign (@HRC) August 27, 2020
Grenell’s speech last night came a day after Cissie Graham Lynch, daughter of preacher Franklin Graham, gave a speech at the RNC in which she praised Republicans for not advancing rights to LGBTQ people.
“Democrats tried to force adoption agencies to violate their deeply held beliefs,” she said, in a reference to adoption agencies being barred from discriminating against same-sex couples. She continued, “Democrats pressured schools to allow boys to compete in girls’ sports and use girls’ locker rooms,” referencing the ongoing battles around trans rights.
Related: Billy Graham’s granddaughter tells voters to choose Trump if they oppose LGBTQ rights
QueerPunk
While I understand where he’s coming from, since HTC is very left leaning. I think the LHR are way worse since they don’t even stand up for gay rights, which is completely ironic. Also, I’m fairly certain they’re only made up the g in LGBTQ.
Cam
HRC actually used to endorse a bunch of Republicans, including Susan Collins in Maine, they only switched this year due to the Trump administrations rabidly anti-LGBTQ actions.
Frankly, my problem with HRC was they seemed more interested in throwing parties than actually pushing for our rights. But if the Trump administration hates them, maybe I’ll donate.
Chrisk
Funny that the HRC just released a Trump fact check after Grenell called him the most pro gay president ever. A mile long list of Donnie contradicting that BS.
A normal person would reflect on that but not this quisling.
ToxicMasculinity
Which other American president has stood up to regimes and theocracies that murder gays?
Certainly not Obama, always making apologies for Islamic extremism.
Chrisk
If anything Obama has been accused of being a war hawk in the middle east. Over using drones and such.
Kangol2
The GOP and Don the Con’s constant hyperbole and lying about their terrible record on everything except making super-rich people even richer just points to how hollow everything they say and do truly is.
If Don the Con were “the most pro-gay President,” which is absurd on its face, he would not be putting anti-LGBTQ judges on the fence, he would not be pushing policies to empower anti-gay Christianist bigots, he would be denouncing his pals like Vladimir Putin, Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) and Kim Jong-un who are presiding over virulently anti-gay governments, and he would actually not shy away from flying pro-LGBTQ flags and actually showing respect to LGBTQ people beyond quislings like Richard Grenell, the disgraced former ambassador to Germany.
ToxicMasculinity
You think that Trump should be pushing the leftist agenda. It’s ridiculous.
Trump recognizes human dignity, and appoints whoever is best for the job, such as
Richard Grenell. Unlike the left, that appoints people based on identity politics.
Chrisk
ToxicMasculinity
You mean the same Grenell who got kicked out of Germany for dealing with too many white nationalists and other shady characters. I’d say that is identify politics in a nutshell.
IndependentForever
His attitude is exactly what is wrong in today’s political arena. It is an attitude not exclusive to Republicans but they have a near-monopoly. It is simply this. They CAN NOT put the shoe on the other foot and even attempt to look at things from a neutral position. IF you aren’t with them you obviously are not fair to them. It is a combination of ignorance and immaturity among maybe other things. This nation can’t tolerate these pieces of crap any longer. We need and must demand smarter and more open-minded senators and federal employees.
ToxicMasculinity
Which party supports the violent suppression of those they disagree with? Which party supports looting, arson and segregation?
Chrisk
ToxicMasculinity
If you’re referring to the ones who are calling for a violent revolution if Trump loses that would be your side dear.
James
IF EVER THERE WAS A GAY MEMBER OF HITLER’S NAZI PARTY IT IS RICHARD SCUM BAG GRINELL. MAY HE ROT IN HELL. LOSER.
ToxicMasculinity
You fools call everybody a Nazi, at this point we are all Nazis so Nazis have won anyway, LMAO.
Chrisk
ToxicMasculinity
It’s funny how the actual people who call themselves Nazi’s all support Trump. Funny that.
Wolfie
Grendell who is a swine is right about one thing. No one should give HRC any money. They basically do nothing but put on parties. Give to groups that actually fight for our rights like Lambda Legal. HRC sucks
Invader7
Please queen. !!! Quit shilling for one the WORST anti-gay presidents .EVER. You sold your soul to the devil when you front for Agolf Twitterler..