Thiel Says ‘I Am Proud to Be Gay, I Am Proud to Be a Republican,’ Gets Mocked on Twitter For Ignorance
PayPal Co-Founder, Libertarian, Endorses Donald Trump, Denounces GOP’s ‘Fake Culture Wars’
The man who co-founded PayPal and was an early investor in Facebook, Peter Thiel, just became the first person to speak before a Republican National Convention and say, “I am proud to be gay. I am proud to be a Republican. I am proud to be an American.”
.@peterthiel: “I am proud to be gay, I am proud to be a Republican, but most of all I am proud to be an American.” https://t.co/QDtTPFy43u
— This Week (@ThisWeekABC) July 22, 2016
The audience cheered.
Thiel denounced the GOP’s attacks on the LGBT community, albeit only in passing.
“Fake culture wars only distract us from our economic decline,” he told the audience, adding that the transgender restroom issue is a non-issue. “Who cares?,” he asked.
Peter Thiel: “I am proud to be gay. I am proud to be a Republican” https://t.co/3x5BGIng7J #RNCinCLE https://t.co/FrWK4Zqc9g
— CNN Politics (@CNNPolitics) July 22, 2016
And while the Republican National Committee passed what is without question the most anti-LGBT platform in history, Thiel’s only response was that he “may not agree with every plank.”
But he did endorse the GOP nominee, saying, “I urge all my fellow Americans to stand up and vote for Donald Trump.”
.@peterthiel: “I urge all my fellow Americans to stand up and vote for Donald Trump.” https://t.co/o24r0Mqu7S
— This Week (@ThisWeekABC) July 22, 2016
Washington Post and Politico reporters note:
Trump kids stood and applauded from the VIP box https://t.co/SFhtNmnK8H
— Philip Rucker (@PhilipRucker) July 22, 2016
Trump kids giving standing ovation for Peter Thiel when he proclaims he’s proud to be gay & to be an American. pic.twitter.com/HlVlr2ZOVb
— Kenneth P. Vogel (@kenvogel) July 22, 2016
Some responses via Twitter:
So the next time a Peter Thiel talks about “disrupting society,” politely invite him to go bugger off to his own Lord of the Flies paradise.
— Chris Kluwe (@ChrisWarcraft) July 22, 2016
Remarkable to see GOPers cheering and standing for Peter Thiel after they just passed most anti-LGBT platform in history. #RNCinCLE
— Jennifer Bendery (@jbendery) July 22, 2016
Thiel said that wages are lower today than they were 10 years ago, while costs have risen. That’s not quite true. https://t.co/9oZvyH6EXK
— FiveThirtyEight (@FiveThirtyEight) July 22, 2016
Peter Thiel asks “who cares about which bathrooms we use?” to hall full of people who care about what bathrooms we use.#RNCinCLE
— Charles Clymer (@cmclymer) July 22, 2016
It’s nice that the convention applauded Peter Thiel, “proud to be gay.” Now back to the regularly scheduled anti-LGBT programming…
— Joe Conason (@JoeConason) July 22, 2016
They applaud Peter Thiel because they think conversion therapy will fix him.
— Brian Beutler (@brianbeutler) July 22, 2016
I think its awesome that Peter Thiel told a room full of people who want to prevent him from getting married, that he’s gay
— Michael Cohen (@speechboy71) July 22, 2016
Great that Peter Thiel says he’s proud to be gay & American – also notable he funded lawsuits to bankrupt Gawker for writing he was gay.
— Ari Melber MSNBC (@AriMelber) July 22, 2016
Peter Thiel and I have a different sense of what the issues are in this race.
— Matthew Yglesias (@mattyglesias) July 22, 2016
Peter Thiel makes history as first GOP gay billionaire to preach to millions of Americans who can be fired for being gay to vote Republican.
— My Daughter’s Army (@MyDaughtersArmy) July 22, 2016
Peter Thiel: “WHO CARES about bathrooms?” well…. the republicans who passed the bills not letting people go where they want
— Dana Schwartz (@DanaSchwartzzz) July 22, 2016
“I am proud to be gay.” — Peter Thiel, days after GOP passed extremely anti-LGBT platform https://t.co/LR5rNRyPIq pic.twitter.com/SBkDwf9ii8
— Jennifer Bendery (@jbendery) July 22, 2016
Peter Thiel ain’t no libertarian, not if he’s endorsing Trump, who might be the most statist candidate in years. https://t.co/1QUHA5Fqp8
— Nate Silver (@NateSilver538) July 22, 2016
Â

Enjoy this piece?
… then let us make a small request. The New Civil Rights Movement depends on readers like you to meet our ongoing expenses and continue producing quality progressive journalism. Three Silicon Valley giants consume 70 percent of all online advertising dollars, so we need your help to continue doing what we do.
NCRM is independent. You won’t find mainstream media bias here. From unflinching coverage of religious extremism, to spotlighting efforts to roll back our rights, NCRM continues to speak truth to power. America needs independent voices like NCRM to be sure no one is forgotten.
Every reader contribution, whatever the amount, makes a tremendous difference. Help ensure NCRM remains independent long into the future. Support progressive journalism with a one-time contribution to NCRM, or click here to become a subscriber. Thank you. Click here to donate by check.
![]() |