With the recent rulings in favor of gay marriage, the issue is at the forefront of many minds. Some hope for the ruling to be overturned in the next administration, others will vote any which way they have to if it will prevent this from happening. As is the case with many of today’s most controversial issues, Donald Trump has gained a great deal of attention regarding his stance on gay marriage. The views of Donald Trump on gay marriage more or less mimic those of the party as whole. He supports marriage as it has traditionally been defined in the United States since its founding, but has also seen the need to become slightly more flexible on this issue. Unlike many Republicans, Trump does see the law of the land as above a personal belief in traditional marriage. Supreme court rulings should be upheld despite beliefs to the contrary. As Trump began his campaigning, many were unsure of where he stood on gay marriage.
When asked, he stated, “It’s never been an argument that’s been discussed with me very much. People know that it’s not my thing one way or the other.” This opinion isn’t new, either. In March 2011, he told Bill O’Reilly, “I just don’t feel good about it. I don’t feel right about it. And I take a lot of heat because I come from New York.” Despite these types of statements, some have speculated that Trump may secretly support gay marriage, but does not want to announce it due to his party’s views. In December of 2014 George Takei and Trump had lunch together. Takei revealed that the had “a lively and engaging hour-long conversation that touched upon his personal position on marriage equality. He confided that he recently attended a same-sex wedding and that he’d found it ‘beautiful.'” These mixed messages do make Trump one of the more LGBTQ-friendly Republican candidates out there.
Donald Trump on His Marriages
As is the case with most Republicans, one of the primary arguments Trump has against gay marriage is that it violates the sanctity of traditional marriage. Our founding fathers defined marriage as between a man and a woman, and Trump believes that this definition needs to be preserved. However, he has seen many arguments to this philosophy. Trump is currently in his third marriage. Divorce does not fit into the founding fathers’ definition of marriage any more cleanly than gay marriage does. For this reason, CNN “State of the Union” host Jake Tapper asked Trump “What do you say to a lesbian who’s married, or a gay man who is married, who says, ‘Donald Trump, what’s traditional about being married three times?’” Trump more or less avoided the question. He stated that the person would “have a very good point,” but that his divorces were about his businesses pushing him too hard. His first two wives were “very good,” and he is currently in “a great marriage” he explained. Regarding the cause of his divorces, he stated “I blame myself because my business was so powerful for me,” Trump said. “I don’t know if that’s a good thing or a bad thing.” When pressed again for an answer about what he would say about his marriages being untraditional but not allowing gay marriage, Trump reiterated his dedication to traditional marriage, stating, ”I really don’t say anything. I am just…I’m for traditional marriage.”
Donald Trump on Kim Davis
Despite his outward criticism of gay marriage, Trump believes that its legality outweighs personal opinions on the matter. When Kentucky clerk Kim Davis refused to issue same-sex marriage licenses and was jailed, Trump stated that he wished she had not been jailed over this issue. However, he went on to say that the Supreme Court had ruled, and that this must be followed. Trump stated “You have to go with it. The decision’s been made, and that is the law of the land.” Trump elaborated, stating, “I would say the simple answer is let her clerks do it. Now from what I understand she’s not letting the clerks do it either. The other simple answer is rather than going through this — because it’s really a very, very sticky situation and terrible situation — 30 miles away they have other places, they have many other places where you get licensed. And you have them actually quite nearby, that’s another alternative.” Therefore, it seems that Trump would avoid making any clerk perform an action that they felt that they were against, but this rule does not outweigh the ruling of the Supreme Court. This position is unique among Republicans. Many other members of the Republican Party have strongly supported Davis, singing her praises as an advocate for religious freedom.
The Most LGBTQ-Friendly Republican Candidate
While Donald Trump is anything but supportive of the LGBTQ community, it seems that he may be more supportive than any of his Republican opposition. Trump’s support of the Supreme Court decision is very unique in his party. Most Republicans see it as a wrong decision, and therefore are happy to see people such as Kim Davis oppose it. Trump, however, at least respects the ruling as law. Trump has also stated publicly that he does not believe that employees should be able to be let go because of their sexuality or their gender identity. Again, this is a unique stance to take as a Republican. There are no federal barriers to discriminating over sexual identity or gender identity. Furthermore, 31 of the 50 states do not have these barriers in place either. While Trump hasn’t been supportive of marriage for homosexuals, he has stated that he supports a “very strong domestic partnership law.” This law would afford homosexual couples rights equal to those of married heterosexual couples, it simply would not title it as “marriage.” Trump has also spoken out in favor of repealing the military’s Don’t Act Don’t Tell policy.
Trump seems to walk a fine line with homosexuals. He does not condone any form of discrimination, but he does not wish to see same sex marriage legal. This makes him more open to many rights and equalities for homosexuals than most Republicans are, and may make Donald Trump the most LGBTQ-friendly Republican candidate for the 2016 election so far. The LGBTQ community at large seems to have had less problems with Trump than many communities have. Gregory T. Angelo, executive director of the pro-LGBT Log Cabin Republicans described Trump’s position well, stating, “It’s a complicated relationship that Trump has with the LGBT community, but if ever there was a group that can be said to have had a warm relationship with Trump, it’s LGBT individuals.” Angelo has also noted that Trump was not the first Republican to speak out for anti-discrimination policies within the homosexual community. However, he has been one of the more outspoken opinions on the matter, and his dichotomies regarding marriage for homosexuals has left him more LGBTQ friendly than just about any other Republican.
Interesting Trump Article from Corporate Culture – Playboy Interviewed Donald Trump 25 Years Ago…
Sources:
- Donald Trump Pressed On How ‘Traditional’ His 3 Marriages Are – The Huffington Post
- Donald Trump On Gay Marriage: ‘It’s Not My Thing’ – The Huffington Post
- Donald Trump on Kentucky clerk: Same-sex marriage the ‘law of the land’ – CNN
- Is Donald Trump 2016’s most LGBT-friendly Republican? – MSNBC