Some three years after the RNC “autopsy” concluded that candidates need to “demonstrate they care” about LGBT Americans, candidates instead appear to prefer avoiding LGBT issues entirely. The New York Times reported recently that despite a looming Supreme Court Ruling on marriage equality, “notably, from those who are likely to seek the Republican presidential nomination — there was silence late last week.”
“For those committed to LGBT equality, actions speak louder than words,” said JoDee Winterhof, HRC’s Vice President for Policy and Political Affairs. “It’s unfortunate that a field with so many Republican candidates is so united against basic LGBT rights, from marriage equality to protecting LGBT Americans from discrimination.”
The second phase of the project will cover the positions of potential Democratic candidates on LGBT issues. As a resource to journalists, HRC’s website hrc.org/2016RepublicanFacts highlights the public statements of candidates on key issues, including:
Support for marriage equality
Support for non-discrimination bills
Opposition to dangerous conversion therapy
History of harmful rhetoric
Support for the right of LGBT Americans to adopt
As candidates evolve and expand their positions on LGBT issues, and as the field expands this research will be updated to take into account their most recent publicly available statements. Additions, questions and suggestions can be sent to 2016research@hrc.org
