Rubio’s Ongoing Work Harming LGBT People Is Not Erased by One Act of Decency
There’s no question many were pleasantly surprised to see Republican Senator Marco Rubio denounce Russia over Chechnya‘s gay concentration camps. There’s been insufficient attention around the world over reports of – some say of several – detention facilities in Chechnya, where about 100 gay men are held, tortured, and sometimes killed.
“We should use our voice on the global stage to call attention to these horrifying acts and to ensure that they are condemned in an appropriate way, ultimately in the hopes that they will be stopped,†Sen. Rubio said on the Senate floor Tuesday. “We should never, ever tolerate human rights violations against any person for their political views, their religious beliefs, or their sexual orientation.â€
His words were welcome, leading some in the LGBT community to praise him. The Human Rights Campaign even posted a tweet with the clip of Rubio’s remarks.
And HRC’s president also offered praise:
Others on Twitter offered praise and support for the move, given Rubio’s strong anti-LGBT record.
But it should be noted that Senator Rubio was not giving a speech in support of LGBT civil rights, he was giving a speech attacking Russia and its president, Vladimir Putin, and Chechnya’s dictator, Ramzan Kadyrov.
“Unfortunately this is not a new reality for those living under the brutal tyranny of the Chechen leader, who by the way happens to be a loyal ally of Vladimir Putin,” Rubio said in his speech. “There have been reports in the past of similar abuses, although these reports seem to be the most brutal and should provoke anger in all of us.”
“The actual complaints are all around us,” the Florida Republican also noted. “They have been well documented in publications throughout the world, but instead, Vladimir Putin is choosing to prop up Kadyrov, the Chechen brutal dictator, and prop up his brutal regime instead of holding them accountable.”
“The United States and other responsible nations should do more to ensure that all people are protected, and those who harm them are held responsible. We should use our voice on the global stage to call attention to these horrifying acts and to ensure that they are condemned in an appropriate way, and ultimately in the hopes that they will be stopped.”
As he did in going back on his word that he would not seek re-election if he failed to win the White House last year, Sen. Rubio once again used LGBT people as his pawns, as a tool. Rubio used the horrific Pulse massacre in Orlando to claim that he was needed in the Senate after all.Â
“My family and I will be praying about all this, and we’ll see what I need to do next with my life in regards to how I can best serve,” Sen. Rubio said the morning after the mass shooting, which was the nation’s worst anti-gay hate crime and deadliest terror attack since 9/11.
Absolutely, the LGBT community and all minorities, especially in the age of Trump, need all the support we can get. LGBT people, and especially, per reports, the gay men in Chechnya, need everyone’s help. And many are grateful for Rubio’s comments, and for shining more light on this ongoing tragedy.
But let’s not forget Rubio’s record. He’s voted against every LGBT issue that’s come before him. And today, right now, he supports the First Amendment Defense Act, which, if it becomes law, would allow anyone who claims a sincerely-held religious belief to discriminate against LGBT people. Anyone, including your neighbor, your boss, your supermarket, credit card company, insurance company, your local, state, and federal government. Anyone.
It was just three weeks ago that Senator Rubio joined 17 other Republicans in signing a letter urging President Trump to sign an executive order that would harm LGBT people under the guise of protecting “religious freedom.”
An executive order requiring federal government agencies to protect the right to religious freedom is necessary, and directing agencies to adhere to existing federal laws protecting religious freedom is sound policy. The federal government has pushed organizations like the Little Sisters of the Poor to change their health care plan to offer services that violate the Little Sisters’ deeply held religious beliefs. Highly-qualified faith-based organizations are being denied or they are declining to compete for federal contracts and grants because of their religious beliefs, the same beliefs that lead them to provide charitable work on behalf of the most vulnerable populations in our country and around the world. The threat of loss of accreditation or charitable tax status lingers in the wake of the United States Solicitor General’s comments upon the Supreme Court’s 2015 ruling in Obergefell v. Hodges that the loss of charitable tax status was, “certainly going to be an issue.” Religious groups on college campuses are being banned, threatened, or forced to change their bylaws.
Not everyone on social media who saw Senator Rubio’s remarks were wholly supportive.
It’s great Senator Rubio is helping to get the word out on the crisis in Chechnya. But his ongoing work harming LGBT people is not erased by one act of decency.Â
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