But Don’t be fooled by the rhetoric, LGBT people … we have bigger things at stake
This morning the dust is settling on the Iowa caucus. Ted Cruz won big. Hillary and Bernie virtually tied.
And now we are on to New Hampshire for its primary next week.
Are you paying attention yet? If not, you should.
The reality show which has become our 2016 presidential election is off to a very divisive start – and the stakes are high for LGBT rights.
Don’t believe me? Think everything is fine because the Supreme Court ruled in our favor last June.
Think again.
Every – and I mean every – Republican candidate for president has come out against the gay marriage decision and against various aspect of LGBT rights.
They have railed against activist judges, decried anti-discrimination statutes, and relegated transgender people to virtually pedophile status over wanting equal rights.
However, LGBT rights and equal marriage is not at the forefront of the election talking point spin cycle right now – and it probably won’t be.
I give it to the Democrats for finally finding the balls to take on gun control issues – especially during a presidential election year.
Why have they done this? Because they think it is going to be a winning ‘wedge issue’ that will divide people, elicit excessive rhetoric from their counterparts on the right, and compel people to vote for the Democratic anointed – which is likely Hillary Clinton but Bernie Sanders is giving her a run for her money.
This tactic is very much like those used with gay marriage as a wedge issue in the 2001 and 2004 presidential campaigns. Republicans stuck up for ‘family values’ – put referendums on the ballot in key states – and dared the Democrats to defend gay people – which of course they didn’t (lez be honest).
Gun control is an issue that not only divides households nationwide – much like gay marriage did and still does – but gun control also divides gay households.
If you live beyond the 495 interchange in MA, you are likely to know what I’m talking about. If you live in Boston and don’t understand, let me explain.
Ownership of guns divides my household. It divided my childhood home and my fiancé and I think very differently about the issue.
As a caveat – I have worked on both sides of the issue. I worked for a Democratic politician who believed in very strict gun control laws, and I have flacked for the Gun Owners Action League of Massachusetts (GOAL) who believe that strict gun control laws infringe on the rights of law-abiding gun owners – and not enough is being done to actually go after criminals who get guns illegally. I believe both sides have very good and valid points.
Guns and gun control may divide households – but let’s not forget that there are other civil rights as stake beside the 2nd amendment.
Gay marriage is a very new right in America and being brand new – its need wrap around protection. Use the most recent example of the referendum that was struck down in Houston. The city voted to strike down a city ordinance that was an anti-discrimination measure for housing, city contracting, business services, and employment. You might say – well its Texas – don’t we expect that?
Yes, maybe. But remember, the current winner of Iowa and the leading Republican contender is from Texas, Sen. Ted Cruz – He is very endeared to the religious right – who is still determined on trying to destroy gay marriage. He spoke out against gay marriage numerous times on the campaign trail – including during a recent Republican Presidential Debate – saying gay marriage was part of the “New York Values” associated with fellow presidential candidate Donald Trump.
With a Republican-controlled Congress, if America puts an anti-gay Republican in the White House; LGBT people need to be on high alert.
Another leading Republican candidate, Sen. Marco Rubio also has stated that gay marriage is not settled law – and he’s somewhat correct. Congress can still take action. They can still pass bills restricting access to marriage licenses, dismantle anti-discrimination protections and repeal federal benefits – and so can states.
What about Trump – he is the leading candidate? My friend Kevin Franck’s recent column on the subject made speculation of when and if Trump was going to bring out the anti-gay pulpit or not for Iowa – and the Donald did not disappoint. On a Fox News interview on Jan. 31, 2016 – two days before the Iowa caucuses – Donald Trump criticized the Supreme Court decision legalizing gay marriage and said he would “strongly consider” appointing judges inclined to overrule it if he is elected president.
“I don’t like the way they ruled,” Trump said on “Fox News Sunday.” “I disagree with the Supreme Court from the standpoint that it should be a states’ rights issue and that’s the way it should have been ruled on … I would have much preferred that they ruled at a state level and let the states make those rulings themselves.”
So, there you have it – the top three Republican candidates for Presdient coming out of the Iowa polls.
Pay attention folks – LGBT rights still hangs in the balance across our country.
Still in doubt about my assertions?
Remember, there has been a constant battle since the Supreme Court ruling in 1973 to keep Roe v. Wade mandate of legal abortions legal and accessible. Gay marriage is going to be no different if there is a win by an anti-gay Republican candidate.
So, do not be fooled by the gun control wedge issue even if you are 2nd amendment believer like me. Look deeper into your candidates that you are voting for because there is a lot at stake.
