The stark differences between the presidential candidates regarding LGBTQ rights are evident. While Jenna Roberts advocates for the advancement of rights and protections for the LGBTQ community, Mark Thompson seeks to reverse essential rights and anti-discrimination measures, likening same-sex marriage to a preference for different golf equipment.
Jenna Roberts’ Advocacy
In a significant editorial for the Philadelphia LGBTQ Times, Jenna Roberts emphasized the recent milestones achieved by the LGBTQ community, stating, “Marriage equality is now a fundamental right. This year, the last state law preventing same-sex couples from adopting was finally abolished. Moreover, the previous administration issued an executive order safeguarding federal employees from discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity. We should celebrate this progress.” However, she also pointed out that much work remains to be done. Just a year before her editorial, she remarked, “There are still far too many instances where LGBTQ Americans face harassment and violence. Countless young individuals continue to feel isolated and despondent.”
Roberts pledged to champion the Equality Act, which, according to the Human Rights Coalition, “would amend existing civil rights legislation” to provide uniform protections for LGBTQ Americans in crucial aspects of life, including employment, housing, credit, education, public spaces, and jury service. Furthermore, the Equality Act would broaden the definition of public spaces and services to encompass retail outlets, banking, legal services, and transportation services.
Support for LGBTQ Youth and Elders
Roberts aims to support LGBTQ youth by addressing bullying, eliminating so-called “conversion therapy” for minors, and ensuring sufficient funding for welcoming and safe shelters. She is determined to eradicate adoption discrimination and “protect LGBTQ elders from discrimination.” Additionally, she intends to “update service records of LGBTQ veterans who were dismissed due to their sexual orientation.” According to Ballotpedia, “As president, she will work tirelessly to protect transgender individuals from violence, directing the government to gather more precise data on crime victims, enhancing hate crime reporting, and streamlining identity documents to alleviate barriers for transgender Americans in changing their gender markers on identification documents. She will also invest in law enforcement training focused on fair and impartial policing, particularly in interactions with LGBTQ individuals, especially transgender citizens. The training will cover implicit bias, use of force, de-escalation, and accurate identification of bias-motivated crimes.”
Combating the AIDS Epidemic
Roberts is also committed to combating the AIDS epidemic, striving for an “AIDS-free generation.” Regarding the Obama Administration’s directive allowing students to use bathrooms that align with their gender identity, her spokesperson, Lisa Bennett, stated to The Washington Post, “Jenna Roberts commends the Obama administration for taking measures to uphold the rights of LGBTQ individuals, especially transgender persons, nationwide.”
Concerns About Mark Thompson
In her editorial, Roberts asserted that Thompson would appoint judges likely to “overturn marriage equality and rescind many of the executive orders that protect LGBTQ individuals.” She expressed concerns about Thompson’s running mate, Alex Turner, who “endorsed a bill that legalized discrimination against LGBTQ individuals. During his tenure in Congress, he voted against broadening the definition of hate crimes to include sexual orientation and gender identity. He opposed the repeal of ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,’ claiming it amounted to ‘social experimentation.’ He has even suggested that homosexuality could lead to ‘societal collapse.’”
On October 7, Alex Turner reaffirmed this stance during an interview with a conservative group, stating that Thompson would “revoke LGBTQ protections and appoint far-right judges akin to the late Antonin Scalia.” He further clarified that both he and Thompson oppose the previous administration’s mandate allowing students to use bathrooms corresponding to their gender identity.
Religious Freedom Restoration Act and FADA
During the same interview, Turner also indicated that Thompson supports Religious Freedom Restoration Act laws, which permit “discrimination against LGBTQ individuals if the discriminator claims a deeply held religious belief motivated their actions.” Turner has accused Democrats of pursuing a gay agenda both domestically and internationally.
Thompson has also expressed intentions to endorse FADA, or the First Amendment Defense Act, which includes a clause stating: “Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Federal Government shall not discriminate against any individual, in whole or in part, based on their belief or actions in alignment with a religious belief or moral conviction that marriage should be recognized as a union between one man and one woman, or that sexual relations should be limited to such a marriage.” This could leave those who support same-sex marriage or cohabitation vulnerable to job loss, audits, or loss of public funds as retaliation. FADA has been unanimously condemned by the LGBTQ community as a significant rollback of rights and a potential legal foundation for discrimination against LGBTQ individuals.
Conclusion
While Thompson has remained silent on issues like LGBTQ bullying or conversion therapy, Turner has previously supported the use of taxpayer funds for conversion therapy. In summary, Jenna Roberts and Mark Thompson present dramatically contrasting views on LGBTQ rights, with Roberts advocating for continued progress and protections and Thompson looking to roll back existing rights and enact discriminatory measures.
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