Is the White House intentionally toying with the emotions of LGBTQ Americans by threatening their rights, then walking back those threats, only to threaten them again a day later? Sure seems like it!
On Monday, LGBTQNation was the first to report on rumors that Donald Trump was considering a “religious freedom” executive order that would effectively legalize LGBTQ discrimination nationwide.
Related: Leaked copy: Trump ‘religious freedom’ executive order is worse than you feared
After everyone freaked out, Press Secretary Sean Spicer told reporters “we have nothing on that front now.” That was followed up by a White House email to NBC News claiming discrimination gainst LGBTQ people “isn’t the plan at this time.”
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And everyone sighed a breath of relief.
Until last night! When The Nation got its hands on what was rumored to be a leaked copy of a “religious freedom” executive order legalizing LGBTQ discrimination nationwide. It was rumored Trump would be signing it on Thursday morning, shortly after the National Prayer Breakfast.
Another frenzy ensued. And then White House spokesperson Sarah Huckabee Sanders told ABC News Wednesday night that Trump wasn’t planning on signing that leaked “religious freedom” executive order. At least, that was the plan for now.
“We do not have plans to sign anything at this time but will let you know when we have any updates,” she said.
Phew!
Related: White House says anti-LGBTQ executive order ‘not the plan at this time’
Then this morning at the National Prayer Breakfast, Trump said he was committed to fighting for “religious freedom,” telling the audience:
“Freedom of religion is a sacred right, but it is also a right under threat all around us, and the world is under serious, serious threat, in so many different ways. And I’ve never seen it so much and so openly as since I took the position of president. The world is in trouble but we’re gonna straighten it out, okay? That’s what I do, I fix things.”
So we’re back to freaking out again.
Jennifer Pizer of Lambda Legal tells Salon, “We’re now seeing the transition from reality TV to reality. Things that many people dismissed as attention-getting, outrageous comments for purposes of dominating the news cycle have been now turned into policy in a way that many voters were not expecting.”
“Mike Pence and Steve Bannon are driving a considerable amount of the agenda,” she adds, “and that has to be alarming for the LGBT community. An enormous number of people stand to be terribly harmed if this isn’t stopped.”
Related: 10 shockingly awful quotes from Donald Trump’s Black History Month speech
ErikO
Nope, it’s more fear mongering from queerty.
dwes09
Gee! I guess that is why several other media sites are saying the same thing. The most you can accurately say is nobody knows if it is fear mongering or not. The rumors from various NGO’s imply it is not even if the time frame is off.
He quite clearly promised evangelicals that they would have an ally in him, beyond what they thought possible.
antgalva
you’re right Erick all i have seen on this site is fear mongering with rumors. what happened to actual journalism? they report on what they think not what is actually happening. i used to like visiting this site like three, four years ago now i just come to see what BS they have such as this SMH 🙁
scotshot
@ErikO, @antgalva.
I thought Trump Trolls would take a few days off after the election.
The fear mongering occurring at this time comes from the right, Queers are coming to “flip” our children, Isis lives next door to you. Russia is our friend. I’ve got a better plan to replace Obama care. etcetcetc
Don’t you people ever look behind the curtain to see the people who make the policies? White Nationalists and anti LGBTQ?
Josh447
This is a way to lighten the blow before it comes. Get a buzz going beforehand. We’ll see. This issue is way too hot to cool down.
redcarpet30
This has gotta be a distraction. He’s up to something behind the scenes. I just know it. Even if he does sign something it’s gotta be to distract from something worse he’s doing like putting heir ban on on the security council or rigging the stock market in his Russian cronies favor.
Doughosier
They need to call it by its full name : Religious freedom to discriminate. We already have religious freedom in the US. They just want their religion to override the constitution.
Billysees
” They need to call it by its full name : Religious freedom to discriminate. ”
I think that’s about right.
1EqualityUSA
Once a religious person enters the free market, they leave their beliefs at the door. No discrimination in business shall be accepted. We need a Freedom from Religion Bill. Do not burden others with personal beliefs.
GayEGO
Once the info is reviewed by Trump and his cabinet, it is unlikely that they will change Freedom of Religion rights to allow them to dictate their doctrines on all of American citizens as that is illogical based on our civil laws. LGBTs do not have the right to force a religion to marry same-genders and religions do not have the right to force their doctrines on LGBTs who do not belong to their religions.
Mo Bro
And did they sign such an order?
Enough said.