We think it’s safe to say that Rep. Tulsi Gabbard’s 2020 presidential campaign is off to a terrible start.
Since announcing her candidacy just one week ago, the progressive Hawaiian Democrat has been doing serious damage control in an effort to clean up her long and messy history of homophobia.
First, she issued an apology for all her antigay advocacy work and homophobic statements made in her past. That failed to win people over. So now, she’s released an awkward cellphone video about it.
Now, we get it. Gabbard probably hasn’t raised a ton of money yet for her doomed campaign 2020 bid. But surely she could do better than a shaky cellphone video shot vertically in her backyard and in which she’s not even centered in the frame.
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.
“In my past I said and believed things that were wrong, and worse, hurtful to people in the LGBTQ+ community and their loved ones,” Gabbard says in the video released yesterday.
Here’s a quick recap of those “hurtful” things Gabbard did:
Prior to beginning her political career, Gabbard worked for the Alliance for Traditional Marriage, an antigay PAC run by her father, Mike Gabbard.
The Alliance ran homophobic commercials on television to drum up support for an amendment banning marriage equality at the state level. It also promoted conversion therapy, claiming in official documents that “there is no such thing as a homosexual.”
This video of @TulsiGabbard along with her family is real. Holy Shit. pic.twitter.com/8Cw1BNKGWA
— ? (??_?) ? EASY?™ (@UrBroYo) January 13, 2019
After getting into politics in 2002, Gabbard won a seat in the Hawaiian House of Representatives and told the Honolulu Star-Bulletin “working with my father, Mike Gabbard, and others to pass a constitutional amendment to protect traditional marriage, I learned that real leaders are willing to make personal sacrifices for the common good. I will bring that attitude of public service to the legislature.”
Around that same time, she also remarked that “homosexual activists” attacked her mother during a run for the state board of education.
Then in 2004, Gabbard spoke out against both marriage equality and civil unions. She also claimed that no antigay discrimination occurs in Hawaiian public schools.
It wasn’t until 2012 that she changed her tune, when she endorsed nationwide marriage equality and apologized for her past homophobia.
In her latest video apology, Gabbard says: “Many years ago, I apologized for my words and, more importantly, for the negative impact that they had. I sincerely repeat my apology today.”
“I’m deeply sorry for having said them. My views have changed significantly since then, and my record in Congress over the last 6 years reflects what is in my heart: A strong and ongoing commitment to fighting for LGBTQ+ rights.”
“I regret the role I played in causing such pain, and I remain committed to fight for LGBTQ equality.”
OK, Tulsi. Apology accepted. But just because you have our forgiveness doesn’t mean you’ll ever have our vote.
Watch. Or don’t.
Related: 2020 hopeful Tulsi Gabbard says she’s really, really sorry for her long history of homophobia
Kangol
Please, Tulsi Gabbard, GO AWAY!
frankcar1965
Nope, never any support from the gay side! You can’t take back hateful words, if you had said that you just weren’t sure about homosexuals then you would probably get a pass, just like Obama. But you said nasty things and that’s too bad for you. Kiss that presidential campaign good bye! Funny you had an epiphany now when you want to run, it’s best to just go ahead and cancel now, this will not be forgotten.
jkb
Her apology in addition to her record in Congress is enough for me. I accept her apology as I consider her an ally.
Brian
She only apologized for her *words.* The problem isn’t a tweet here or there. The problem is her career itself. Her *actions* were worse, and she won’t address that because it’s an admission of fault. She’s a horrible bigot, not an ally.
Hdtex
Another moron heard from.
GentlemanCaller
Yeah sure fine, ok. But not president, honey. And your once-sincerely-held-religious-opinion that my marriage is the same as someone marrying their dog isn’t even the main reason. To echo the Me Too movement’s approach, apology accepted, now go away.
Brian
She’s a mediocre employee demanding a promotion. That’s dumb, tacky, and almost reason for demotion. She should stop campaigning and just focus on the job that she already has now.
Hussain-TheCanadian
Since 2012, did she visit any gay advocacy organization, like shelters for gay youth? Did she hold any meetings with gay advocates and human rights lawyers to see how LGBT equality can be advanced? Did she visit any gay teen who was abused by their parents? Did she visit any gay couple who wants to get married, or is already married to show her solidarity and actual repentance?
If no, then darling, shake them heels.
Besides I’m a Bernie fan all the way.
starkraver
She won’t get my vote.
excusemydust
Representative Gabbard has spent far too much time toeing the Russian foreign policy line for me to take her seriously as anything other than another agent for Russian interests.
Rex Huskey
by felicia
MuslimSlutBox
bye?
Hdtex
Say “hello” to Assad for me you pathetic bootlicking bigot!