“We have a lot of questions about their intentions”

By PAUL BOIS

Trump derangement syndrome has gone so far into overdrive that his detractors are now criticizing him even when he does something solely to their benefit. The LGBT pushback against his administration’s policy to decriminalize homosexuality worldwide is perhaps the most puzzling example.

According to Fox News, LGBT activists have largely denounced the Trump administration’s policy on decriminalizing homosexuality as a cheap ploy rather than an actual promise.

“Donald Trump and Mike Pence have turned a blind eye to a campaign of violence and murder targeting LGBTQ people in Chechnya that has stretched on for two years,” said Jeremy Kadden, Senior International Policy Advocate for the Human Rights Campaign.

“They have turned away LGBTQ people fleeing violence and persecution and sent them back to countries that criminalize them, and have consistently worked to undermine the fundamental equality of LGBTQ people and our families here at home from day one,” Kadden continued. “If this commitment is real, we have a lot of questions about their intentions and commitments, and are eager to see what proof and action will follow.”

Sarah Kate Ellis, President and CEO of GLAAD, told Fox News that the move was little more than window-dressing for an administration that marginalizes people.

“This looks like just another attempt by the Trump administration to cherry-pick and cover-up what is a horrible record of targeting marginalized people, including the LGBTQ community,” said Sarah Kate Ellis.

The Trump administration pushed to decriminalize homosexuality following the case of a 31-year-old Iranian man who was hanged by authorities for homosexual activity.

“The United States continues to work to protect and defend human rights for all. Governments have an obligation to ensure that all people can freely enjoy the universal human rights and fundamental freedoms to which they are entitled,” a State Department spokesperson told Fox News this week. “Working to advance longstanding U.S. policy around human rights is the kind of work our Ambassadors do all around the world every day.”

In May last year, Secretary Mike Pompeo denounced governments that criminalize or execute their citizens for committing homosexual acts.

“Fear and bigotry are enshrined in laws that criminalize LGBTI status or conduct in more than 70 countries,” said Pompeo. “In some, being LGBTI is punishable by death. We use public and private diplomacy to raise human rights concerns, provide emergency assistance to people at risk, and impose visa restrictions and economic sanctions against those who persecute them.”

Annise Parker, president and CEO of LGBTQ Victory Institute, said the Trump administration’s move to decriminalize homosexuality is just empty rhetoric that requires more commitment.

“Our hope is that Ambassador Grenell – one of the few out LGBTQ people in the entire administration – will demand that this not be just a public relations stunt, but the first step in a return to the United States as a global leader on LGBTQ equality,” she said. “Ending the criminalization of gay people around the globe will not come via edict from the White House, it is a huge effort that requires the full commitment of his administration and an investment in local LGBTQ organizations. Yet this administration has cut funds for global LGBTQ initiatives.”

The most bizarre denunciation of the Trump administration’s policy came from the LGBTQ magazine Out, which actually said the move was a colonialist stunt against Iran.