Anti-Gay Bigot Mike Pence: I Applauded Trump’s Mention Of LGBTQ Community At Convention

Vice President Won’t Say If Trump Will Sign Sweeping Anti-LGBT Religious Freedom Order

Vice President Mike Pence, who as Indiana governor signed the state’s horrific anti-LGBT “religious freedom” law, boasted Sunday that he applauded when President Donald Trump mentioned the LGBTQ community at the GOP convention last year. 

Pence also claimed Trump opposes LGBT discrimination because “in the patriot’s heart, there’s no room for prejudice.” But the vice president would not say whether Trump plans to sign a sweeping anti-LGBT “religious freedom” executive order. 

Pence has vigorously opposed LGBT rights throughout his political career, including supporting the dangerous, discredited practice of ex-gay “conversion therapy.” 

ABC News’ George Stephanopoulos, host of “This Week,” asked Pence about Trump’s decision not to repeal — at least thus far — President Barack Obama’s executive order prohibiting discrimination by federal contractors. Stephanopoulos noted that anti-gay activist Bob Vander Plaats said this week, “Our base is wondering why Obama’s executive order is allowed to stand.” 

“What’s the answer?” Stephanopoulos said, according to a transcript of the exchange.  

“I think throughout the campaign, President Trump made it clear that that discrimination would have no place in our administration,” Pence responded. “I mean, he was the very first Republican nominee to mention the LGBTQ community at our Republican National Convention — and was applauded for it. And I was there applauding with him.

“I think the generosity of his spirit, recognizing that — that in in the patriot’s heart, there’s no room for prejudice — is part of who this president is,” Pence added.

Trump opposes marriage equality and has expressed support for anti-LGBT legislation, including the so-called First Amendment Defense Act and North Carolina’s House Bill 2. This week, it was widely reported that it was Trump’s daughter and son-in-law, Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner, who convinced him not to repeal Obama’s executive order. 

As a nod to social conservatives, Pence went on to reference Trump’s speech Thursday at the National Prayer Breakfast, in which the president vowed to repeal the Johnson amendment, which prohibits churches from endorsing political candidates. Pence falsely claimed the Johnson Amendment has “put a chilling effect on free speech by religious institutions,” adding that the president’s “reiterated commitment to religious liberty are all a part of the kind of leadership that people are gonna welcome from President Trump.” 

Stephanopoulos then asked Pence whether Trump plans to sign a new “religious freedom”executive order that would allow widespread anti-LGBT discrimination, as many advocates fear. 

“Well, I think that’ll be the purview of the president to determine whether any of that’s necessary,” Pence responded. “The focus of this administration will continue to be to have a safer America, to have a more prosperous America, and to continue to advance the president’s agenda, both on Capitol Hill and through executive action and carry that message all across the country.”

Watch the exchange about LGBT issues shortly after the 6:00 mark in the video above. A few responses from Twitter below.