The lead plaintiff in the Supreme Court case that legalized same-sex marriage across the United States said Tuesday that Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump is no friend of LGBTQ citizens despite his recent overtures to that community.
James Obergefell, a real estate agent turned activist, dismissed Mr. Trump’s vow last week at the Republican National Convention to do everything in his power to “protect our LGBTQ citizens” from global terrorism.
“He is not a supporter of the LGBTQ community,” Mr. Obergefell said on C-SPAN, adding that Mr. Trump also has promised to nominate Supreme Court justices who are open to overturning the landmark 5-4 ruling in Obergefell v. Hodges, which required all states to recognize same-sex marriage.
Mr. Obergefell said Mr. Trump is leading a party that is running on a platform that is “completely anti-LGBTQ.”
“So no, he is not our friend in any way, shape or form,” he said.
Mr. Trump drew extra attention last week when he singled out the LGBTQ community in his acceptance speech in the wake of the attack at a gay night club in Orlando — though members of the GOP said that it was clear that he was not embracing the community’s agenda, including in the fight over transgender bathroom access.
“As your president, I will do everything in my power to protect our LGBTQ citizens from the violence and oppression of a hateful foreign ideology. Believe me,” Mr. Trump said, sparking applause from convention-goers.
He then went off script, adding “I have to say, as a Republican, it is so nice to hear you cheering for what I just said.”
• Seth McLaughlin can be reached at smclaughlin@washingtontimes.com.
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