This week, I learned that the United States officially wants to discriminate against me.
This week, my president said he wants to prohibit trained and able transgender military personnel from serving our country and protecting us.
All in all, not a good week for the LGBT community.
Remind me again: how is this making America great again?
We have traveled so far (backwards) in just a year. At last summer’s Republican convention, our future president said, “As your president, I will do everything in my power to protect our LGBT citizens from the violence and oppression of a hateful foreign ideology. Believe me.”
Unfortunately, hateful domestic ideology was not mentioned. Oppressing LGBT citizens based on hateful domestic ideology is A-OK, apparently. This will lead to violence for the LGBT community. Believe me.
The animus brief – I mean, amicus brief ― that the Department of Justice submitted this week states that an employer may legally discriminate against a gay employee if the employer treats “homosexuality differently for reasons such as moral beliefs about sexual, marital, and familial relationships.” In other words, if my boss decides to fire me because I am gay, that is permissible, as long as that boss has a moral belief against my marriage to a man. Even though I am legally married in the United States, if my boss thinks that my relationship is icky, I am out of a job. [Fortunately for me, my actual employer has an inclusive non-discrimination policy. But that is not the case for many of us in the LGBT community.]
… these issues are deliberate distractions to shield us from this administration’s bigger assaults on our democracy.
… these are political tactics to vex liberals and to motivate social conservatives against them.
Although these statements may be true, I do not like being chosen as the bait to whip my fellow citizens into a political frenzy. But that is the administration’s modus operandi: (1) target the most vulnerable, (2) use them as chum, (3) start a political feeding frenzy, (4) divert attention away from corruption, obstruction, injustice, nepotism, unscrupulousness, fraud, abuse, profiteering, crime, misconduct … and general shadiness.
Is this the Art of the Deal I have heard so much about?
Remind me again: how does this make America great again?
No tea no shade: this is not normal. It is not appropriate, either. Eventually, it may be proven illegal.
In the meantime, Americans endure daily assaults. Each day there are new targets: Muslims, Mexicans, immigrants, refugees, women, people of color, scientists, educators, the disabled, the poor, the sick, the LGBT community.
To find out, check the president’s morning tweets.
I usually crack snarky jokes to keep sane through all the craziness. But this is not funny anymore. I cannot even bring myself to come up with a good wisecrack for the Department of Justice’s focus on the phrase “but for” in its amicus brief.
The most unfunny part of all of this is the fact that Republican leaders are turning a collective blind eye to the outrageous behavior. I want to strap them all down and force them to watch the president’s Boy Scout jamboree speech. Telling boys about sex parties on a yacht? Does this promote the family values agenda that the Republicans have been espousing for decades?
I guess if “Grab them by the pussy” did not set off any alarm bells for them during the election, nothing will today.
Is this really what the Republicans want for America? Tell us, please, how is any of this making America great again?
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
It's Another Trump-Biden Showdown — And We Need Your Help
The Future Of Democracy Is At Stake
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
The 2024 election is heating up, and women's rights, health care, voting rights, and the very future of democracy are all at stake. Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the most consequential vote of our time. And HuffPost will be there, covering every twist and turn. America's future hangs in the balance. Would you consider contributing to support our journalism and keep it free for all during this critical season?
HuffPost believes news should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for it. We rely on readers like you to help fund our work. Any contribution you can make — even as little as $2 — goes directly toward supporting the impactful journalism that we will continue to produce this year. Thank you for being part of our story.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
It's official: Donald Trump will face Joe Biden this fall in the presidential election. As we face the most consequential presidential election of our time, HuffPost is committed to bringing you up-to-date, accurate news about the 2024 race. While other outlets have retreated behind paywalls, you can trust our news will stay free.
But we can't do it without your help. Reader funding is one of the key ways we support our newsroom. Would you consider making a donation to help fund our news during this critical time? Your contributions are vital to supporting a free press.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Support HuffPostAlready contributed? Log in to hide these messages.