Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2-2018

Publication Source

Journal of GLBT Family Studies

Abstract

Donald Trump's 2016 Nomination Acceptance Address at the Republican National Convention explicitly mentioned GLBTQ people as Trump promised to “protect our LGBTQ citizens” and called GLBTQ people “wonderful Americans.” However, since Trump's inauguration, he has appointed anti-GLBTQ leaders, proposed cuts to HIV research, and offered his support for a ban on transgender recruits to the military. This article begins with a close reading of Trump's speech, showing how Trump expresses ostensible support for GLBTQ Americans, only to capitalize on the deaths of queer and trans people of color at the Pulse Nightclub in Orlando mere weeks before the convention by pitting GLBTQ people against “Islamic terrorism.” The second half of the article then examines the effects of Trump's appointments and policy priorities on GLBTQ people and their families. The contrast between Trump's speech and his presidency reveals that Trump values the deaths, but not the lives, of GLBTQ people.

ISBN/ISSN

1550-428X

Document Version

Postprint

Comments

The document available for download following the publisher's required 12-month embargo is the authors' accepted manuscript, provided in compliance with the publisher's policy on self-archiving. Permission documentation is on file.

Publisher

Taylor & Francis

Volume

2016 U.S. Presidential Election and the LGBTQ Community

Peer Reviewed

yes

Keywords

Donald trump, nomination acceptance addresses, presidential rhetoric, LGBTQ policy, health care

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