Trump Failed to Recognize Pride in June. That Matters
BY CHRIS RIOTTA ON 6/30/17 AT 9:57 AM
My president appeared on the cover of OUT, a gay magazine I used to flip through in Barnes & Noble as a curious little boy.
He officially proclaimed June as Pride month throughout his two terms in office—my entire adult life—to recognize and celebrate those of us considered to be "other." My president was the first president to push for marriage equality, which eventually happened under his watch.
For a young American man coming to terms with their own identity in a society that stresses heteronormativity, these acts genuinely mattered. For the first time in this nation's history, queer folks saw their commander-in-chief embracing them, supporting them and bringing their community's voices to the forefront. President Barack Obama made the fight for tolerance his fight, implementing a series of federal policies over the course of eight years to defend marginalized groups. My president seemed to genuinely care about us—the others.
Then came along my next president, who promised to "defend and protect our LGBT Americans" along the campaign trail. Donald Trump offered an alternative to the traditional Republican candidate: despite numerous concerns over statements he made about women, minorities, his apparent enemies and the left, the New York business mogul seemed to boldly endorse the LGBTI community, at one point unfurling a rainbow flag at a rally and posing for photographs while holding it.
"Trump made history," gay conservative strategist Chris Barron wrote of that October night in 2016. "He's the most pro-LGBT presidential candidate ever nominated by either party."
Leading up to Inauguration Day, I was cautiously optimistic a Trump presidency may not completely derail the many leaps forward my community has been fighting for in this country for decades. But a few months into his tenure in the White House, Trump has steadily rolled back many of the freedoms we’ve only just recently begun enjoying.
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http://www.newsweek.com/donald-trump-pride-month-gay-americans-campaign-promises-defend-lgbt-rights-630228
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