The 45th President

The unimaginable has happened—Donald Trump, fool, oaf, bully, and sociopathic liar has become the 45 President of the United States – POTUS.  I was shocked at the election returns of November 8 and had hopes that time would make my distrust wain.  It has not. I hoped that he would choose a cabinet that would be conciliatory. Instead, we has embraced billionaires, incompetents, Wall Street insiders, lobbyist and extremist. A far cry from what was promised.  

I am afraid he is going to roll back progress on many fronts. The environment, banking regulations, woman’s issues, health care, and GLBT acceptance. Do not forget we are the “T” in that equation.  

Although President Trump is a political unknown, we can derive insight from those in his orbit. 

Why should we be concerned? President Trump picked Pastor Robert Jeffress of First Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas, to deliver his pre-inauguration sermon. This is what Jeffress has said in the past about us. 

"Gender identity confusion is an emotional disorder, that should be treated… Gender identity confusion should not be exploited by social activists like those in the [President Barack] Obama administration who want to deny the God-given distinction between the sexes. This is a rebellion against God's plan," he added.

Former Indiana Governor Mike Pence, President Trump’s Vice President, attracted national attention in 2015 when he signed a religious freedom law that members of the LGBT community said could worsen discrimination. He only backed down when the economic pressure became enormous.  

Further, Pence writes, "Resources should be directed toward those institutions which provide assistance to those seeking to change their sexual behavior." Politifact had indicated this to mean Pence advocated spending on institutions providing conversion therapy, which is something LGBTQ advocates say is clear from the statement. 

On the 2000 campaign website Pence wrote: "Congress should oppose any effort to recognize homosexuals as a discreet and insular minority, entitled to the protection of anti-discrimination laws similar to those extended to women and ethnic minorities." 

Understand that normal is going to drift and shift in ways we are unaccustomed. Trump has normalized so many once-outrageous attitudes, from open racism to blatant lying.  In his inaugural speak he preached selfishness. President Trump's statement: "Going forward, It is going to be only America first." An policy modern America has never demonstrated to the rest of the world.       

We need to be aware and provide insight where ignorance and hate may become prominent. The haters feel empowered. Now at the local level, we need to be diligent and oppose hate. Speak up. Help the world to understand us. Support local officials that support us. Resist giving up the rights and acceptance we have gained thus far.