To The Contrary

Hello, I'm Bonnie Erbe.

Welcome to TTC Extra.

Former first lady Melania Trump has returned to the campaign trail that as her husband spends most of his time in court and not campaigning, Melania recently hosted a fundraiser for Log Cabin Republicans, the largest conservative LGBTQ plus organization in the U.S.. She's reaching out for support from a group that didn't vote for Trump in 2020.

And so, Tiana, any chance they're going to vote for Trump in 2024 because she's out there stumping for him?

It wouldn't surprise me at all if you get some of the L and the G, and probably also the B, the T maybe not so much, but you had Caitlyn Jenner there at this fundraiser.

You also had Rick Grenell, who was the first openly gay cabinet level official, as acting DNI.

As far as the LGB goes, it's kind of a dead issue.

I think Republicans have embraced the fact that Obergefell is the law of the land.

There is no constituency, or at least no significant constituency within the GOP that has any interest in overturning that.

You even have someone like Elise Stefanik, who's House conference chair and on the shortlist to be Trump's running mate who voted in favor of federally, adding on that codification and protection for federal gay marriage equality.

So it's not really a lot of issue.

I think Trump and the rest of the conservative movement is correctly focusing on the children inappropriate ideas like gender identity and critical gender theory at a very young age.

And that's the correct focus.

Good on Melania for recognizing what time it is.

Ameshia, do you agree?

Absolutely not.

I think the Anti-CRT the book bans the divisive concept bills.

The right in right wing media taking major aim at people to judge his husband and his children has showcased where they stand very squarely on being anti-LGBTQ.

I do think that there can be some significant variances when it comes to polling.

specifically because of the attacks that are very different that have been launched onto transgender individuals.

But overall, the Republican Party up and down the ticket, no matter what state you in, you're in, has proven itself to be very vitriolic against LGBT individuals.

I don't think that that changes because Melania Trump is out here now on the campaign trail.

Ameshia, it's not correct.

I mean, as somebody who's been inside the party since I was 12 years old, so to speak, and watch them.

there have been icons within the party all through the years that were gay, obviously not out until later on.

But the party has actually had a lot more tolerance because we've been the party that believes in leaving individuals alone.

when the Christian right got more and more involved after Reagan.

yes.

There were extremists that came in.

In some states you'll hear some extreme voices, but by and large, the party is very much in in the mode of leave them alone.

It's their lives.

Let them live it.

I think the Republican Party has a very difficult time with the gay community.

I agree with some of the things that were said.

I have several friends, that are, Log Cabin Republicans, tons of friends that are gay, and most of all, they are very anti-Republican.

Where you see the separation, I agree.

Is there a lot that have a problem with trans issue and really don't identify with the trans issue as a gay person or a gay person that's married.

there's less tolerance on the trans.

So, I don't know how much that's going to matter.

But if you look at Trump's stats from 2016, 2020, where he is now, certainly not a strong point for the former president in this community.

All right.

Thank you all.

And thank you, the audience, for watching TTC Extra.

Whether you agree or think To The Contrary, please join us next time.