Trump plays the anti-gay card

[Jingthing]

All the republican candidates are anti-gay to one degree or another and Trump is not even close to the worse of them on GLBT issues, but Trump with his "New York values" has previously said he accepted the Supreme Court ruling on marriage equality as settled law.

So ... now this:

http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2016/01/trump-suggests-overturning-same-sex-marriage.html#

Donald Trump Would 'Strongly Consider' Overturning Same-Sex Marriage

Trump is worthy of attention besides the pure entertainment value because he's leading in the polls to be the republican nominee.

Now the "states rights" thing may sound benign enough, but it isn't. We already saw what a mess it was when there was a patchwork of different state recognition as people move between states all the time. Also, if SCOTUS overturns this of what value will these state marriages have at the FEDERAL level?

It's hard to keep track of all the ANTI cards Trump is playing.

Anti-"LOSERS"

Anti-Mexican

Anti-Immigrant

Anti-China

Anti-Muslim (BIG TIME)

Anti-Gay

Anti-Women (his misogyny)

and yes, believe it or not, he has even insulted Jews (even though his daughter is Jewish). He counts among his active supporters, American fascists, American Neo-Nazis, and American white supremacist groups who affectionately call him the Trumpenfuehrer.

He seems to LOVE Putin though and Putin seems to love him back.

As many have observed and I tend to agree, Trump doesn't impress as much of a bigot personally himself (except for the misogyny) but he is cynically EXPLOITING a large vein of bigotry in the voting population to try to propel himself to the most powerful office on the planet.

Edited January 31, 2016 by Jingthing

[isanbirder]

As you say, JT, Trump hates so many people that it's a wonder there are any left to vote for him. I could never understand how so many Americans could apparently idolise him ( or his nutcase buddy Palin).

He can hardly have expected the gay vote, and now has made certain he won't get it. Or the votes of Muslims, women, Mexicans, immigrants, and all the rest.

Of course Putin loves him; Putin could run rings round him, and he knows it.

[geriatrickid]

Give it a rest. The man is vying for the attention of early primary and caucus voters. Trump couldn't care one way or the other if someone is gay or Mexican or wants access to reproductive control. His own staff and friends include gay people. They also include very visible minorities. Judge him by his past actions which were: Supporting a woman's right to control her own body, gun control, same sex benefit access and the fair treatment of all. In the past he espoused some very liberal positions including the heartfelt support of public healthcare.

This man's message will change if he is nominated and we will see someone far more to the center and even , if you can believe it, a bit more liberal than Clinton. I know it sounds like an apologist's explanation. However, don't forget that his brother died of alcoholism and it had a profound impact on him. He genuinely understands what drug addiction is. His sister who was appointed by President Clinton to the Federal Court of Appeals is a big believer in the rule of law. Back when she was a junior judge she was criticized by conservatives for refusing to accept a plea bargain, and instead sent two crooked detectives to trial who were then convicted. She's a straight talker and drew a lot of abuse for that judgement. I'm pretty sure she's told off her brother a few times. Despite the assumptions that he is the anti feminist, the man has had more exposure to successful women than the other GOP candidates. Remember that the original name of the Trump companies was Elizabeth Trump and Son. If he was a knuckle dragger, he wouldn't have been so supportive of his daughter Ivanka's career. He keeps getting called a bigot, but again if one looks at how he dealt with his daughter marrying an orthodox jew, his reaction was the furthest from that of a bigot. His behavior was far more liberal and accepting than that of his harshest critics who would had kittens if their daughter married a jew. People forget that his son youngest son was taught Slovenian because his wife is from Slovania and that he made a large chunk of his money by selling to foreign investors. Tossing out claims that he hates gays is just part of the mud slinging going on. Judge him by his actions. And his actions to date are far more civil to the LGBT community than the other GOP candidates and even Mrs. Clinton.

[English patriot]

He's probably got hidden desires so pretends to be all nasty, underneath he probably just wants really to come out.

[Jingthing]

Please, no.

You're thinking of Ted Cruz.

[English patriot]

No mr Trump that's so funny mr trump does trump mean the same in Americal in England it's a polite way of saying breaking wind so a translation would be mr fart.

Ted Cruz you recon? Putin defiantly looks like he's already out.

[Jingthing]

No mr Trump that's so funny mr trump does trump mean the same in Americal in England it's a polite way of saying breaking wind so a translation would be mr fart.

Ted Cruz you recon? Putin defiantly looks like he's already out.

No. Trump isn't fart in proper American English.

[onthemoon]

Give it a rest. The man is vying for the attention of early primary and caucus voters. Trump couldn't care one way or the other if someone is gay or Mexican or wants access to reproductive control. His own staff and friends include gay people. They also include very visible minorities. Judge him by his past actions which were: Supporting a woman's right to control her own body, gun control, same sex benefit access and the fair treatment of all. In the past he espoused some very liberal positions including the heartfelt support of public healthcare.

This man's message will change if he is nominated and we will see someone far more to the center and even , if you can believe it, a bit more liberal than Clinton. I know it sounds like an apologist's explanation. However, don't forget that his brother died of alcoholism and it had a profound impact on him. He genuinely understands what drug addiction is. His sister who was appointed by President Clinton to the Federal Court of Appeals is a big believer in the rule of law. Back when she was a junior judge she was criticized by conservatives for refusing to accept a plea bargain, and instead sent two crooked detectives to trial who were then convicted. She's a straight talker and drew a lot of abuse for that judgement. I'm pretty sure she's told off her brother a few times. Despite the assumptions that he is the anti feminist, the man has had more exposure to successful women than the other GOP candidates. Remember that the original name of the Trump companies was Elizabeth Trump and Son. If he was a knuckle dragger, he wouldn't have been so supportive of his daughter Ivanka's career. He keeps getting called a bigot, but again if one looks at how he dealt with his daughter marrying an orthodox jew, his reaction was the furthest from that of a bigot. His behavior was far more liberal and accepting than that of his harshest critics who would had kittens if their daughter married a jew. People forget that his son youngest son was taught Slovenian because his wife is from Slovania and that he made a large chunk of his money by selling to foreign investors. Tossing out claims that he hates gays is just part of the mud slinging going on. Judge him by his actions. And his actions to date are far more civil to the LGBT community than the other GOP candidates and even Mrs. Clinton.

So you are saying Trump doesn't say what he means and doesn't mean he says, and that should be a reason to vote for him?

Edited February 2, 2016 by onthemoon

[geriatrickid]

So you are saying Trump doesn't say what he means and doesn't mean he says, and that should be a reason to vote for him?

What I am saying is that the man tailored his message to a specific voting demographic. All the candidates have done this including Sanders and Clinton.

The message changes as the primaries progress. Let's deal with claim that Trump is "anti-gay". Honestly, I don't think he cares one way or the other. His past actions speak to that. Gay people are one of the demographic customer niches that Trump catered to and his companies gladly accepted gay money when it came time to sell a condo or development.

Yes, he has made some statements that I consider idiotic and he has been all over the map. Honestly, I think he is at times given to brain farts, just looking to stir the pot and get some attention. What I do know is that his current wife, a former model, has influence over him. She still has several gay friends from her modeling days and still attends the big fashion events. Melania has been an active fundraiser for a diverse number of charities and cultural groups, which rely on the gay community for support. I don't think she would tolerate her husband insulting any of her friends or doing anything to hurt them. His daughter, Ivanka is rather pragmatic and not given to discriminatory behaviour either. Of all of his kids, she is probably his favourite and she holds influence over her father. She's worked as a model and has a fashion company in addition to her other business pursuits. She too has many gay friends. Ivanka has supported GOP candidates for some time, yet one of her closest friends is Chelsea Clinton, a proponent of multiple "liberal" positions. I expect that Ivanka would not tolerate discriminatory actions from her father and would speak her mind. The takeaway, is that despite all of his bluster, Trump at his core is motivated by expediency and the need to achieve public recognition, and fame. He has a lot of character flaws, but hatred of gays, just doesn't register with him. I don't think he even understands the concept, he's that clueless on the subject.

The one candidate with a demonstrated hatred of gays is Cruz. The man just bubbles with nastiness. His slight win in Iowa is the best thing that could have happened to Trump because the holy rollers who are fixated on gays, gave their support to Cruz. Trump isn't beholden to them and can now move a bit more to the center. Rubio and Cruz can chase the holy rollers all they want. If you want a guy who espouses hate, look to Cruz. he makes some of the wacko candidates seem gentle and compassionate in comparison.

[onthemoon]

So you are saying Trump doesn't say what he means and doesn't mean he says, and that should be a reason to vote for him?

What I am saying is that the man tailored his message to a specific voting demographic. All the candidates have done this including Sanders and Clinton.

The message changes as the primaries progress. Let's deal with claim that Trump is "anti-gay". Honestly, I don't think he cares one way or the other. His past actions speak to that. Gay people are one of the demographic customer niches that Trump catered to and his companies gladly accepted gay money when it came time to sell a condo or development.

Yes, he has made some statements that I consider idiotic and he has been all over the map. Honestly, I think he is at times given to brain farts, just looking to stir the pot and get some attention. What I do know is that his current wife, a former model, has influence over him. She still has several gay friends from her modeling days and still attends the big fashion events. Melania has been an active fundraiser for a diverse number of charities and cultural groups, which rely on the gay community for support. I don't think she would tolerate her husband insulting any of her friends or doing anything to hurt them. His daughter, Ivanka is rather pragmatic and not given to discriminatory behaviour either. Of all of his kids, she is probably his favourite and she holds influence over her father. She's worked as a model and has a fashion company in addition to her other business pursuits. She too has many gay friends. Ivanka has supported GOP candidates for some time, yet one of her closest friends is Chelsea Clinton, a proponent of multiple "liberal" positions. I expect that Ivanka would not tolerate discriminatory actions from her father and would speak her mind. The takeaway, is that despite all of his bluster, Trump at his core is motivated by expediency and the need to achieve public recognition, and fame. He has a lot of character flaws, but hatred of gays, just doesn't register with him. I don't think he even understands the concept, he's that clueless on the subject.

The one candidate with a demonstrated hatred of gays is Cruz. The man just bubbles with nastiness. His slight win in Iowa is the best thing that could have happened to Trump because the holy rollers who are fixated on gays, gave their support to Cruz. Trump isn't beholden to them and can now move a bit more to the center. Rubio and Cruz can chase the holy rollers all they want. If you want a guy who espouses hate, look to Cruz. he makes some of the wacko candidates seem gentle and compassionate in comparison.

He "tailored his messages to a specific voting demographic". So, he says something to them, and you say he only says that to get the votes but in reality he plans to make totally different politics. I call this deceitful.

If you think this makes him a suitable candidate for president, I really feel sorry for the state that the US is in.

[isanbirder]

As far as deceit goes, Trump is probably no worse than most of them.

What surprises me is to see long posts defending Trump on a gay forum! Clearly the man is not one of us!

Trump apparently said that he might revoke same-sex marriage. Gays have fought for this for many years. To talk of revoking it is clearly anti-gay.

Maybe the man is lying. What he is doing is campaigning on fear, fear of Muslims, fear of immigrants, now fear of gays. This is despicable. We can only hope it engenders fear of Trump.

[Jingthing]

I don't think he'll ever be president, but it is possible.

Americans are feeling let down by the political class, Americans of all types, so there may be a mood to do something radical and STUPID.
Trump fits the bill.

Of course Trump isn't the most anti-gay of the republican candidates. Maybe even the least. They're all anti-gay.

[Lenscraft]

Is there *any* Republican candidate that is friendly to gay Americans? No. Clearly Cruz is the worst of the standing candidates, but Trump isn't far behind given his horrible, horrible 'schoolyard bully' attitude.

[Jingthing]

Is there *any* Republican candidate that is friendly to gay Americans? No. Clearly Cruz is the worst of the standing candidates, but Trump isn't far behind given his horrible, horrible 'schoolyard bully' attitude.

They're all bad, but Cruz in MUCH worse.

There was some hope and expectation that the republicans would stop using the anti-gay card as a wedge issue as they have for decades now, after the SCOTUS marriage equality decision.

But, alas, that hasn't happened.

Instead there is a backlash and it's worse than most expected.

[GinBoy2]

At least none of them has actually said the words.

Of course as an Hispanic, I can't help myself reading Trump's baseball cap as...'Make America White again'.

Insert Straight for White, I think the same is probably valid.

[JakeSully]

Time to wake up and realize only 1 person supports the lgbt community.. the democratic socialist Bernie Sanders.

Hillary will sell us out the first chance she gets.. she changes her positions faster than she changes underwear.

I for one will be voting Sanders no matter what, write in if it comes to that and fleeing the US before Trump's inauguration.

I've lived in Thailand before for a long time, what's another 8 years.

[Lenscraft]

Time to wake up and realize only 1 person supports the lgbt community.. the democratic socialist Bernie Sanders.

Hillary will sell us out the first chance she gets.. she changes her positions faster than she changes underwear.

I just can't agree with this. Sect'y Clinton is a politician, yes, and also a Democrat. She's not a liberal as Senator Sanders, but she is a moderate Democrat. I don't think she will 'sell us out'... she might not go out on a limb for us, but she doesn't hate gay people. Let's not eat our own. It's a loser's game.

That said, I too will be voting for Senator Sanders.

[Jingthing]

HRC and Sanders would both be excellent for GLBT civil rights.

The trouble with the Bern is that if nominated, he's less likely to actually win the presidency.

[ThaiKneeTim]

Q: How can you tell when a politician is lying?

A: Their lips move!

[JakeSully]

There is a moment when you will decide which candidate is for you.

I liked Hillary in the 2008 primary, I was never sold on Obama till the first general debate when he said he will kill Bin Laden (in Pakistan if needed) and McCain's response was "speak softly but carry a big stick".

This is why I think Bernie is dependable..

If that's not integrity and consistency.. I don't know what is, unlike Hillary who will choose whatever position that suits her best for the moment.