Windy City Media Group Frontpage News

THE VOICE OF CHICAGO'S GAY, LESBIAN, BI, TRANS AND QUEER COMMUNITY SINCE 1985

home search facebook twitter join
Gay News Sponsor Windy City Times 2023-12-13
DOWNLOAD ISSUE
Donate

Sponsor
Sponsor
Sponsor

  WINDY CITY TIMES

Last night of RNC: Trump mum on LGBTQ+ issues, contrasts self from Biden
by Lisa Keen, Keen News Service
2020-08-28

This article shared 2046 times since Fri Aug 28, 2020
facebook twitter google +1 reddit email


The final night of the 2020 Republican National Convention ( RNC ) ended with President Trump painting a stark contrast between a United States under his leadership and one under the leadership of Democratic nominee Joe Biden. But there was also a stark contrast between them in their inclusion of LGBT people and a stark contrast between Trump at the 2016 convention and 2020.

"There has never been such a difference between two parties or two individuals and ideology, philosophy or vision than there is right now," said Trump.

That much, most people would probably agree with.

Each party's convention speakers painted the future under the other party as dark and sinister, extreme, and an existential threat to U.S. democracy and constitutional values.

In his nomination acceptance speech Aug. 27, Trump said he sees the contrast as either "protecting law-abiding Americans" under him or "giving free rein to violent anarchists, agitators, and criminals who threaten our citizens."

The Democratic agenda, said Trump, "is the most extreme set of proposals ever put forward by a major party nominee."

Joe Biden may claim he is an 'ally of the light,' but when it comes to his agenda, Biden wants to keep you completely in the dark."

Keith Boykin, a gay and African American political commentator for CNN, said he thought Trump's speech was reminiscent of a notorious convention speech from 1992, when Pat Buchanan called for a "culture war."

"From the invocation of the name of racist Democratic president Andrew Jackson to his repeated description of what he calls the 'China virus' to his dire warnings of violence and danger in 'Democrat-run cities,'" said Boykin, "Trump's clearest message in his approximately 70-minute speech was focused almost entirely on fear. He preached a fear of violent criminals taking over American cities, a fear of non-white immigrants invading our country, and a fear of progressives changing America's traditions."

Trump identified Oregon and Chicago as being among those "Democratic-run" jurisdictions where he believes Democrats are allowing "rioting, looting, arson and violence" to threaten ordinary citizens.

"This problem could easily be fixed if they wanted to," said Trump. "Just call, we're ready to go in."

Oregon is led by openly bisexual Democratic Gov. Kate Brown; Chicago is led by openly lesbian Democratic Mayor Lori Lightfoot.

Responding to a Trump Twitter post August 25, saying the Oregon governor should call on the National Guard to quell protesters in Portland, Brown responded with her own Twitter post, saying "Oregon isn't interested in a role in your political theater." She added that the Oregon National Guard is currently occupied with fighting wildfires, distributing personal protective equipment to health care workers, and responding to unemployment calls.

"I'd love to discuss what we actually need," posted Brown, listing "financial resources, N-95 masks and testing supplies."

Trump did not voice his support for the LGBT community this year, as he did in his acceptance speech for the nomination in 2016.

In 2016, he said, "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." He also condemned a gunman's attack on a gay nightclub in Orlando that June.

Charles Moran, managing director for the national Log Cabin Republicans, said that "while the President didn't address anything LGBT-specific, I felt like some of his other remarks directly acknowledged promises he's made to our community."

"In the 2016 campaign, the president frequently referenced radical Islamic terrorism and the threat to gays and lesbians. I felt like his comments tonight on ISIS/Iranian terrorism brought me back to that 'promises made, promises kept' refrain, which applies to us."

"When he was discussing the panel of doctors and scientific experts pulled together for coronavirus," said Moran, "I felt personally impacted as a gay man because people like Dr. [Deborah] Birx and Dr. [Anthony] Fauci have been involved in the fight on HIV/AIDS for decades. In short, just because we didn't get a shout out doesn't mean I didn't feel included as a member of the LGBTQ community."

One speaker during the final night of the convention did imply support for LGBT people: martial arts organizer Dana White, president of the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

"As Americans, we work hard to overcome adversity, irrespective of your gender, race, religion or sexual orientation," said White. "What [unite] us as a nation [are] freedom, equality and opportunity."

That did not appear to be the message of an earlier speaker.

U.S. Rep. Jeff Van Drew of New Jersey criticized Democrats as being "less supportive of traditional faith and family," saying the party had moved from "liberal to radical" and was embracing a "radical socialist agenda." Van Drew has voted against marriage for same-sex couples.

And the evening's invocation was delivered by Franklin Graham, who also has taken high profile stances against marriage for same-sex couples. His prayer, however, asked to "unite our hearts."

A White House pool report indicated the crowd on the South Lawn of the White House to watch the Trump speech numbered 1,500 people. CSPAN television cameras scanning the audience revealed that the audience members were seated closely together and very few were wearing masks. Throughout the president's speech, they chanted and vocalized their approval in ways that likely would facilitate the spread of germs.

Public health officials concerned about the continued spread of the coronavirus have strongly recommended people wear masks and avoid participating in large gatherings where social distancing is not possible.

The Biden campaign bought airtime on many networks covering the Trump speech to broadcast a two-minute message to respond immediately to the president's attacks. Biden's ad did include visuals and words in support of LGBT people.

"No matter your race, your ethnicity, no matter your gender identity, your sexual orientation, no matter your faith," America unites, says Biden in the ad.

Now the presidential race to Nov. 3 begins the final two months, although voting —early voting and voting by mail—will begin as soon as late September in some states, such as Illinois, Michigan and New Jersey.

Trump and Biden are scheduled to meet in their first presidential debate Tuesday, Sept. 29. That will be followed by the only debate between the vice presidential candidates—incumbent Republican Mike Pence and Democratic challenger U.S. Senator Kamala Harris. That debate is scheduled for Wed., Oct. 7.

© 2020 Keen News Service. All rights reserved.


This article shared 2046 times since Fri Aug 28, 2020
facebook twitter google +1 reddit email

Out and Aging
Presented By

  ARTICLES YOU MIGHT LIKE

Gay News

BOOKS Frank Bruni gets political in 'The Age of Grievance' 2024-04-18
- In The Age of Grievance, longtime New York Times columnist and best-selling author Frank Bruni analyzes the ways in which grievance has come to define our current culture and politics, on both the right and left. ...


Gay News

Hunter leads resolution declaring April 2024 as Minority Health Month 2024-04-18
--From a press release - SPRINGFIELD — To raise awareness about the importance of cardiovascular health, particularly among minority communities, State Senator Mattie Hunter passed a resolution declaring April 2024 as Minority Health Month in ...


Gay News

Supreme Court allows Idaho ban on gender-affirming care for minors 2024-04-18
- The U.S. Supreme Court has granted a request by Republican Idaho Attorney General Raul Labrador to lift a lower court's temporary injunction preventing the state from enforcing its felony ban on gender-affirming care for minors, The ...


Gay News

City Council passes Lesbian Visibility Week proclamation 2024-04-17
- Chicago alderwomen Maria Hadden (49th) and Jessie Fuentes (26th) introduced a resolution at Chicago's April 17 City Council meeting to declare April 22-28 as Lesbian Visibility Week in Chicago. This is part of a nationwide effort ...


Gay News

Morrison to run for Cook County clerk (UPDATED) 2024-04-17
- Openly gay Cook County Commissioner Kevin Morrison has decided to run for the Cook County clerk position that opened following Karen Yarbrough's death, according to Politico Illinois Playbook. Playbook added that Morrison also wants to run ...


Gay News

Q FORCE launches 2024 election efforts in Chicago 2024-04-14
- More than 100 people attended the launch of 2024 election efforts by Q FORCE Midwest Action Group at Sidetrack April 12. Q FORCE is a Chicago-based, all-volunteer, grassroots movement organizing to recruit and activate "at least ...


Gay News

NATIONAL Trans woman killed, Tenn. law, S. Carolina coach, Evan Low, Idaho schools 2024-04-12
- Twenty-four-year-old Latina trans woman and makeup artist Meraxes Medina was fatally shot in Los Angeles, according to the website them, citing The Los Angeles Times. Authorities told the Times they found Medina's broken fingernail and a ...


Gay News

LPAC, Arizona LGBTQ officials denounce Arizona Supreme Court ruling on abortion 2024-04-10
--From a press release - Washington, DC — Yesterday, in a decision that starkly undermines reproductive freedoms, the Arizona Supreme Court ruled to enforce a 160-year-old law that criminalizes abortion and penalizes healthcare providers who ...


Gay News

Cook County Commissioner Kevin Morrison announces inaugural Cook County LGBTQ+ Youth Art Competition 2024-04-10
--From a press release - Schaumburg, Ill. — April 9, 2024 — Cook County Commissioner Kevin Morrison recently announced the firs ever LGBTQ+ Youth Art Competition. The competition's theme is "Pride is Power!" and will set the ton for Pride celebrations ...


Gay News

For Deb Robertson, the end-of-life issue is very real 2024-04-07
- For just about everyone, life is hard enough. However, talking about ending that life—especially when one is terminally ill—is just as difficult. Ten states have authorized medical aid in dying, although Illinois is not one of ...


Gay News

KFF survey shows extent of LGBT-related discrimination 2024-04-07
- KFF—an independent source of health policy research, polling and journalism—released "LGBT Adults' Experiences with Discrimination and Health Care Disparities: Findings from the KFF Survey of Racism, Discrimination, and Health." This ...


Gay News

Lightfoot may be hired to investigate Dolton mayor, trustees 2024-04-06
- A group of Dolton trustees is aiming to hire former Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot—who is also an ex-federal prosecutor—to investigate Mayor Tiffany Henyard, media outlets reported. The group wants Lightfoot ...


Gay News

NATIONAL mpox, Trans+ Day of Visibility, police items, Best Buy, Gentili's death 2024-04-05
- The CDC has concluded that mpox cases are on the rise in the United States, increasing to almost double what they were at the same time last year, according to ABC News. There is a national year-to-date estimate of 511 cases ...


Gay News

Ugandan court mostly upholds harsh anti-LGBTQ+ law 2024-04-04
- On April 3, Uganda's constitutional court refused to annul or suspend an anti-LGBTQ+ law that includes the death penalty for certain same-sex acts, Reuters reported. However, the judicial body voided some provisions that it said were ...


Gay News

How safe are we really? A look into Illinois' LGBTQ+ protections as hate rises nationwide 2024-04-02
- Illinois has long been known to have some of the strongest LGBTQ+ legal protections in the country. Its first anti-discrimination laws go back several decades, and the state boasts a wide variety of protections of LGBTQ+ ...


 


Copyright © 2024 Windy City Media Group. All rights reserved.
Reprint by permission only. PDFs for back issues are downloadable from
our online archives.

Return postage must accompany all manuscripts, drawings, and
photographs submitted if they are to be returned, and no
responsibility may be assumed for unsolicited materials.

All rights to letters, art and photos sent to Nightspots
(Chicago GLBT Nightlife News) and Windy City Times (a Chicago
Gay and Lesbian News and Feature Publication) will be treated
as unconditionally assigned for publication purposes and as such,
subject to editing and comment. The opinions expressed by the
columnists, cartoonists, letter writers, and commentators are
their own and do not necessarily reflect the position of Nightspots
(Chicago GLBT Nightlife News) and Windy City Times (a Chicago Gay,
Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender News and Feature Publication).

The appearance of a name, image or photo of a person or group in
Nightspots (Chicago GLBT Nightlife News) and Windy City Times
(a Chicago Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender News and Feature
Publication) does not indicate the sexual orientation of such
individuals or groups. While we encourage readers to support the
advertisers who make this newspaper possible, Nightspots (Chicago
GLBT Nightlife News) and Windy City Times (a Chicago Gay, Lesbian
News and Feature Publication) cannot accept responsibility for
any advertising claims or promotions.

 
 

TRENDINGBREAKINGPHOTOS







Sponsor
Sponsor


 



Donate


About WCMG      Contact Us      Online Front  Page      Windy City  Times      Nightspots
Identity      BLACKlines      En La Vida      Archives      Advanced Search     
Windy City Queercast      Queercast Archives     
Press  Releases      Join WCMG  Email List      Email Blast      Blogs     
Upcoming Events      Todays Events      Ongoing Events      Bar Guide      Community Groups      In Memoriam     
Privacy Policy     

Windy City Media Group publishes Windy City Times,
The Bi-Weekly Voice of the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Trans Community.
5315 N. Clark St. #192, Chicago, IL 60640-2113 • PH (773) 871-7610 • FAX (773) 871-7609.