Will Orlando Tragedy Bring LGBT Voters to Trump's Side?

Some queer Trump backers exit the closet following the Orlando shooting.

Neal Broverman

Neal Broverman is the Editorial Director, Print of Pride Media, publishers of The Advocate, Out, Out Traveler, and Plus, spending more than 20 years in journalism. He indulges his interest in transportation and urban planning with regular contributions to Los Angeles magazine, and his work has also appeared in the Los Angeles Times and USA Today. He lives in the City of Angels with his husband, children, and their chiweenie.

Read Full Bio

Neal Broverman

June 19 2016 11:50 AM EST

June 19 2016 6:52 PM EST

Nbroverman

Sorry to interrupt...
But we wanted to take a moment to thank you for reading. Your support makes original LGBTQ+ reporting possible. Help us hold Trump accountable.

One-time Monthly

$19.67 $50 Other

$5 $19.67 $50

Many Donald Trump supporters and the candidate himself have used the Orlando massacre as proof that the presumptive Republican presidential nominee's immigration stance was correct all along.

\u201cAmerican must now get very tough, very smart and very vigilant. We cannot admit people into our country without extraordinary screening.\u201d
— Donald J. Trump (@Donald J. Trump) 1465907209

The truth is more complicated, though -- Trump wants a temporary ban on all Muslim immigrants, but Orlando killer Omar Mateen was born in the United States. Also, the true motivation of Mateen's terrible act remains unclear; he was deeply disturbed for a long time and may have had conflicted feelings about his own sexuality.

Regardless, LGBT Trump supporters feel Orlando has given them the courage to "come out" as Trump supporters, especially as the candidate makes a direct appeal to them.

\u201cThank you to the LGBT community! I will fight for you while Hillary brings in more people that will threaten your freedoms and beliefs.\u201d
— Donald J. Trump (@Donald J. Trump) 1465925518

The president of the Log Cabin Republicans, Gregory T. Angelo, recently told NBC News that Trump is "the most pro-gay nominee that the party has ever had for president."

Other LGBT Trump supporters are using a 2000 Advocate interview with the businessman -- one where he spoke positively of both gays and Mexicans -- to substantiate claims of his inclusiveness.

— (@)

Trump remains opposed to marriage equality and refuses to commit to a firm stance on anti-transgender "bathroom bills." Many of the people he put on his shortlist for Supreme Court nomination are also anti-equality. Also, his immigration policies are disruptive and harmful to LGBT Latinos, Muslims, and other people of color. So, convincing many that Trump is more LGBT-friendly than his likely opponent, Democrat Hillary Clinton, will remain a difficult task for the foreseeable future.