Billions have been spent this political season, by all accounts the most expensive election in the history of American politics, with outlandishly wealthy Americans competing to put their agenda squarely in the White House, Congress and the states. While queer issues aren’t as front and center as they were in past elections–such as 2008 when George W. Bush exploited marriage equality as a wedge issue–we remain a coveted voter base, for and against–capable of turning close elections. Hillary Clinton has made the most unafraid, pro-gay ads in history, and Democrats across the country have followed suit. This also represented the first election in which Republicans at times tried to claim the equality banner, albeit in often bizarre and ham-fisted ways.
Here are just a few of the most notable political commercials (and empty gestures) aimed at queer constituents and their allies.
1. Frenemy of the People
Donald Trump says he's "the real friend" of the LGBT community.
Yeah, no.https://t.co/TWwZKC5ARS
— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) June 17, 2016
In the wake of the Orlando massacre this past June, Trump insisted he was a “friend to the LGBT community.” The Clinton camp called him out by releasing a video reminding the public of his myriad attacks on gays.
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Trump responded with his own attack on Hillary’s record:
2. Hillary for marriage equality, same-sex kissing encouraged
Back in 2004, Clinton stated, “I believe marriage is not just a bond but a sacred bond between a man and a woman.” Fortunately, she woke her ass up and crossed to the right side of history, as demonstrated by last December’s ad vigorously supporting equality.
3. The Adventures of Milo and the Orange
Some gay men, like internet attention whore/peroxide skid mark Milo Yiannopoulos, claim that Trump is the more friendly option. Its difficult to fathom that the same tangerine-hued dumpster fire that pledged to sign the overtly anti-LGBT “First Amendment Defense Act” is in any way good for the gays in any way shape or form. But what does Milo care? Y’know he’s not a US citizen, right?
4. Don’t Tell Mama Trump isn’t Dangerous
Although Trump may have media thirsty morons like Milo fooled, most Americans know better, such as Judy Shepard. As the mother of gay murder victim Matthew Shepard, you can believe her when she says “I’ve seen what can happen as the result of hate” in this new ad urging voters to choose Hillary over her bloviating bigot of an opponent.
5. Home of Beaches, Mountains, and an Extremely Homophobic Governor
Unfortunately, this toxic presidential election wasn’t the only thing poisoning politics this year. Back in March, the state of North Carolina passed the notoriously anti-Trans law HB 2, aka the Bathroom Bill. Funny or Die responded with this deliciously sarcastic tourism video.
6. We’re Even Worse Than North Carolina
A month later, when Mississippi’s Governor Phil Bryant signed the “worst anti-gay ‘religious freedom’ bill in the nation,” Funny or Die repurposed their tourism parody formula to put the state on blast.
7. Last and Possibly Least…
Not to be outdone, Tennessee upped the ante when it came to homophobic legislation by proposing not one, but two anti-LGBTQ bills. In addition to House Bill 2414, another Bathroom Bill, the state also passed House Bill 1840, which allows private practice counselors to deny mental health services to individuals based on religious beliefs. Funny or Die was once again waiting in the wings with another satirical tourism video.
Its state legislation like these that necessitate Clinton’s vision of a Supreme Court that will “stand up on behalf of the LGBT community.”
Alistair Wiseman
Don’t you mean we have come along way since Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama both “attacked equality”?
Queerty, never ones to let truth or inconvenient facts get in the way, conveniently fail to remember it was just a couple of years ago that both Hillary and Obama failed to support “equality”.
BigWill
@Alistair Wiseman: Dear Al: We get it. You think QueerTy is contemptible, idiotic, beneath you and a waste of your time. Are you a retiree with all the time in the world? Because otherwise, the court of public opinion would hold that it’s idiotic to read a site that you consider a waste of your time. Me, I can’t even get to everything that I want to read for enjoyment during the day, let alone troll sites that I consider a waste of time.
charlie_jackpot
Surely the thing is that Obama and Clinton got there and are in front of a party that supports LGBTQ rights? The important thing is not having an opinion but be willing to change your opinion. If rights movements only relied on the people who were onside from the get go they would never get anywhere, it’s about bringing people up to date and onside
GayEGO
Trump said on TV that he wants to overturn the Marriage Equality ruling and then he picked Mike Pence, the Indiana Governor who signed an anti-LGBT discrimination bill, changing it later on when businesses threatened to boycott Indiana, causing them to lose a lot of money! Trump is not for the LGBTs, Obama and Hillary are.
Kangol
@charlie_jackpot: Yes. Barack Obama has been the most pro-gay, pro-bi, and pro-trans president we have ever had in US history, by far. BY FAR. Alistair won’t admit it, just like he won’t admit that his beloved GOP and George W. Bush ran against marriage equality, and Trump’s VP Pence promised that right-wing preacher pal of his they’d overturn marriage equality and gay rights. But you know, fine. We’ll see how things turn out tomorrow. Please, everyone, no matter what your political persuasion, vote. And have a safe Election Day!
Stilinski26
Bernie has been supporting and fighting for LGBT rights since the 70s I believe yet not one mention of him or shown any respect. The other two only started “supporting” LGBT during mid 2000’s. I really feel sorry for Bernie.
1EqualityUSA
Bernie didn’t have any political skin in the game. He blew in at the last minute and took his seekers for a ride on his pipe-dream. He had decades to make a difference. Bernie didn’t earn this. He held the Democrats hostage. Secretariat versus Mr. Ed. He caused us to spend more money by taking ground he didn’t earn.