President Trump
Donald John TrumpFlorida GOP lawmaker says he's 'thinking' about impeachment Democrats introduce 'THUG Act' to block funding for G-7 at Trump resort Kurdish group PKK pens open letter rebuking Trump's comparison to ISIS MORE on Friday acknowledged Pride Month and praised the "outstanding contributions" of LGBT Americans.
In a pair of tweets, Trump expressed solidarity with people living in countries that criminalize and punish members of the LGBT community, prompting criticism from lawmakers and advocates who pointed to his own administration's policies.
"As we celebrate LGBT Pride Month and recognize the outstanding contributions LGBT people have made to our great Nation, let us also stand in solidarity with the many LGBT people who live in dozens of countries worldwide that punish, imprison, or even execute individuals on the basis of their sexual orientation," Trump tweeted. "My Administration has launched a global campaign to decriminalize homosexuality and invite all nations to join us in this effort!"
....on the basis of their sexual orientation. My Administration has launched a global campaign to decriminalize homosexuality and invite all nations to join us in this effort!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 31, 2019
Pride Month is celebrated in June and recognizes the contributions of LGBTQ people to society.
Friday marked the first time since Trump took office that he formally recognized Pride Month. The Trump administration has undertaken an effort to end the criminalization of homosexuality, and the president has spoken about helping the LGBT community.
But the administration has generally drawn rebukes from organizations and advocates over its rollback of LGBTQ rights and protections for transgender people in particular.
The Department of Health and Human Services released a proposal last week rolling back health care protections for transgender people. The regulation would scrap ObamaCare's definition of "sex discrimination" to remove protections for gender identity.
In addition, the Department of Housing and Urban Development proposed a rule earlier this month that would roll back protections for homeless transgender people by allowing federally funded shelters to turn away transgender people for religious reasons.
The administration also finalized rules earlier this month giving more leeway to health workers to deny people treatment if doing so would violate their religious or moral beliefs.
The Pentagon’s policy barring most transgender people from serving in the military unless they serve under their biological sex took effect last month following a series of court battles.
Democratic lawmakers and advocacy groups quickly noted the Trump administration's policies toward members of the LGBTQ community in responding to the president's Pride Month tweet.
"Nice Tweet. Now, how about telling Mitch McConnell
Addison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnellMcConnell: Trump's troop pull back in Syria a 'grave strategic mistake' Overnight Defense — Presented by Boeing — Trump insists Turkey wants cease-fire | Fighting continues in Syrian town | Pentagon chief headed to Mideast | Mattis responds to criticism from Trump TSA head rules himself out for top DHS job MORE to bring up the Equality Act?" Rep. David Cicilline
David Nicola CicillineHillicon Valley: GOP lawmakers offer election security measure | FTC Dem worries government is 'captured' by Big Tech | Lawmakers condemn Apple over Hong Kong censorship FTC Democrat raises concerns that government is 'captured' by large tech companies Democrats want Mulvaney to testify in Trump impeachment probe MORE (D-R.I.) tweeted, referencing an anti-discrimination bill that passed in the House.
Nice Tweet. Now, how about telling Mitch McConnell to bring up the Equality Act? https://t.co/Ia0fAKwQqm
— David Cicilline (@davidcicilline) May 31, 2019
Just in the last month, the Trump Administration has fought to:
— Rep. Mark Pocan
- Deny citizenship to some children of same-sex American couples
- Strip protections for transgender Americans at homeless shelters
- End anti-discrimination protections for transgender Americans in health care https://t.co/f0lkf4RQXPMark William PocanTop progressive calls for Pompeo's salary to be withheld over Sondland's blocked testimony Democrats take Trump impeachment case to voters Democrats press Nadler to hold Lewandowski in contempt MORE (@repmarkpocan) May 31, 2019
The Human Rights Campaign tweeted that Trump and Vice President Pence "are no friend to LGBTQ people," highlighting administration policies they have opposed.
Trump & Pence are no friend to LGBTQ people. They have:
— Human Rights Campaign (@HRC) May 31, 2019
-Banned trans troops
-Nominated anti-LGBTQ extremists
-Remained silent on anti-LGBTQ violence abroad
-Attempted to allow medical providers to deny LGBTQ people care
-Tried to ban "transgender" & "diversity" from CDC reports pic.twitter.com/hXvE5FbrYH
Chad Griffin, president of the Human Rights Campaign, called Trump's tweet "gross hypocrisy, with an emphasis on gross."
You can't celebrate Pride and constantly undermine our rights -- including attacking #TransHealth, discharging #TransTroops, refusing to protect LGBTQ youth, and cozying up to dictators who brutalize & marginalize LGBTQ people. This is gross hypocrisy, with an emphasis on gross. pic.twitter.com/axyGJ4Q4Ld
— Chad Griffin (@ChadHGriffin) May 31, 2019
Updated at 4:05 p.m.
