• Log in
    PoliticsBusinessA&ETransgenderBisexualityReligionFamiliesVoicesVideo
    OUTPrideOut TravelerPLUSADVOCATE CHANNEL
    SubscribeSubscriber ServicesEmail Newsletter Signup
    CONTACTStaffCAREER OPPORTUNITIESADVERTISE WITH USPRIVACY POLICYPRIVACY PREFERENCESTERMS OF USELEGAL NOTICE
    © 2023 Pride Publishing Inc.
    All Rights reserved
    Advocate.comAdvocate.com
    Scroll To Top

    By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Private Policy and Terms of Use.

    Accept

    The 21 Most Homophobic Members of Trump's Cabinet

    Jacob Ogles
    | 05/24/18

    The 21 Most Homophobic Members of Trump's Cabinet

    Trump's Cabinet of Hate

    23 Masturbation Tips

    If anyone hoped Donald Trump might truly be an ally to the LGBT community, if only by Republican standards, that sentiment would be shattered by the time he sat a full cabinet. Here's a sampling of homophobes and transphobes appointed to key position's in the president's administration.

    Mike Pence

    Trump's homophobic cabinet

    Call the former governor of Indiana an early indicator. Selected as Trump's running mate for president in July 2016, Michael Richard Pence represented the worst fears of LGBT Americans come to life in the form of a mild-mannered ex-talk show host. Pence was already known as America's foremost anti-LGBT governor, thanks to his support for the decidedly doomed Religion Freedom Restoration Act. As a member of Congress before that, Pence predicted from the House floor that marriage equality would lead to "societal collapse." Pence now sits one McHeartAttack away from the presidency. His resume as vice president to date includes raising the ire of America's LGBT Olympians and successfully lobbying to increase the hardship on trans troops and youth.

    Jeff Sessions

    02-jeff-sessions

    Perhaps no one in a presidential administration holds such sway on enforcement of civil rights as the attorney general. That's bad news for LGBT Americans, as their rights depend on the whim of former Alabama Sen. Jeff Sessions, a man Lambda Legal says is on an anti-LGBT Crusade. A defender of so-called religious liberty (at least for Christians), Sessions has fought to allow employers and businesses to discriminate against individuals based on sexual orientation and gender identification, along the way also changing the Department of Justice stance to favor restriction of existing civil rights. As a lawmaker, he voted against allowing spousal benefits to same-sex couples.

    Ben Carson

    Trump's homophobic cabinet

    The Housing and Urban Development secretary once ran against Trump in the Republican primary, where he called trans people abnormal, associated homosexuality with bestiality, and once suggested that supporters of same-sex marriage were akin to the pro-pedophile group NAMBLA. Now he oversees a department whose mission includes stopping landlords from discriminating against gay men and transgender people. Yikes.

    Betsy DeVos

    Trump's homophobic cabinet

    While the secretary of Education conveniently leaked last year that she'd fought the rescinding of Obama-era protections for transgender students, Betsy DeVos this year has said her agency will not investigate any claims of discrimination from transgender students, and stood by as the Trump administration shifted policies on whether Title IX protections including gender identity, to the delight of right-wingers. And before joining the administration, DeVos' family foundation donated generously to such anti-LGBT groups as the Family Research Council.

    James Mattis

    Trump's homophobic cabinet

    Known as "Mad Dog" in military circles, he could also be called the intolerant pit bull for his anti-LGBT stances. The former general joined Warriors & Citizens: American Views of Our Military co-editor Kori Schake in condemning the 2011 repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell, and he's also called into question the ability of women to serve in combat.

    Alexander Acosta

    Trump's homophobic cabinet

    Before being named as Trump's second choice for Labor Secretary, Alexander Acosta founded the anti-LGBT Project of the Judiciary and served on the awards committee for the notorious Family Research Council, with the latter group dubbing him one of the country's "leading pro-family legal scholars," noted GLAAD. In those capacities, he joined in condemnation of Vermont court rulings favoring same-sex unions.

    Sonny Perdue

    Trump's homophobic cabinet

    Trump's Agriculture secretary issued a letter in 2017 announcing any USDA-inspected plants packing meat and veggies could freely post any anti-LGBT materials they would like, as noted by Joe My God. Perdue dubbed the move a reestablishment of the department's commitment to the First Amendment.

    Rick Perry

    Trump's homophobic cabinet

    Former Dancing With The Stars loser (and Texas Gov.) Rick Perry, like Carson, campaigned against Trump before joining his administration. The secretary of Energy in the past compared being gay to being an alcoholic and said supporting the Boy Scouts' now-rescinded ban on gay scouts showed the same "principled leadership" as past Texan leaders' opposition to slavery. Well, he didn't lose that dancing competition for an inability to pat himself on the back.

    Mike Pompeo

    Trump's homophobic cabinet

    While the controversial secretary of State nominee still awaits a final confirmation vote, outgoing CIA director Mike Pompeo has already made clear he won't back off his anti-LGBT views. Those include his opposition to same-sex unions and a conviction that gay sex is a "perversion." The record prompted GLAAD President and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis to declare Pompeo "dangerously wrong to serve as our nation's chief diplomat" and "wholly unqualified to promote human rights abroad."

    Ryan Zinke

    Trump's homophobic cabinet

    Before serving as Trump's secretary of the Interior, Ryan Zinke served as Montana's sole congressional representative. In 2016, he pushed for a provision to the National Defense Authorization Act that would allow sweeping anti-LGBT discrimination in all federal agencies. The move drew condemnation from the Human Rights Campaign for attempting to undo protections from discrimination put in place by President Obama.

    Elaine Chao

    Trump's homophobic cabinet

    Before serving as President Trump's secretary of Transportation, Elaine Chao worked in President Bush's Labor department at a time when the agency turned a blind eye to anti-LGBT discrimination. She also spoke in 2016 to supporters of virulently anti-gay policies in Iran, as reported by The Independent. And of course, she's campaigned steadily for husband and Kentucky Sen. Mitch McConnell, the anti-LGBT Senate Majority leader.

    Scott Pruitt

    Trump's homophobic cabinet

    As of this writing, Pruitt remains the director of Environmental Protection Agency, though like the ozone, that may not last long. While he faces mounting accusations about financial dealings and ethical breaches, he also boasts an anti-LGBT record dating back before his appointment. As attorney general for Oklahoma, Pruitt opposed Obama-era edicts on the treatment of trans students and fought legalization of marriage equality, all earning him a nickname among Sooner State activists as "head bully."

    Wilbur Ross

    Trump's homophobic cabinet

    Before becoming Trump's Commerce secretary, Wilber Ross in 2012 attended a now-infamous Wall Street fraternity party documented by New York Magazine writer Kevin Roose where he cracked homophobic jokes about the Kappa Beta Phi logo and joined with other more acrimonious jests about Barney Franks "coming in different-sized buns."

    Linda McMahon

    Trump's homophobic cabinet

    Granted, she's reformed some of her anti-LGBT ways, but Linda McMahon during a 2010 run for Senate in Connecticut courted the endorsement of the homophobic Family Institute of Connecticut by supporting the Defense of Marriage Act, which outlawed same-sex unions. Two years later, she rescinded that position and lost the organization's support. But since becoming Trump's head of the Small Business Administration, she's demonstrated a weak record on discrimination laws.

    Nikki Haley

    Trump's homophobic cabinet

    LGBT activists have never quite known what to make of U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, admittedly one of the least embarrassing members of the Trump administration. As South Carolina's governor, she espoused rhetorical support for "religious freedom" without ever backing any type of discrimination like the trans bathroom bill that created headaches for neighboring North Carolina. But for a year and a half now, the administration has remained silent on the international stage about Chechnya, something the Human Rights Campaign certainly found deafening. And the U.S. last year joined just 12 other countries in opposing a resolution condemning the execution of LGBT people on the grounds it was too anti-execution. That bizarre stance drew rebuke in Haley's home state newspaper The State.

    A Third of Judicial Appointments

    Trump's homophobic cabinet

    A Lambda Legal review of judicial appointments over the first year of Trump's presidency showed nearly one-third of his lifetime appointments to the bench went to anti-LGBT judges. And despite certain tweets to the contrary, his appointments have been confirmed at a relatively breakneck pace compared to his predecessors. The appointments could have an enduring and disproportionate impact on LGBT individuals living in the South. A total 16 of his nominees faced official opposition from the pro-civil rights group.

    Neil Gorsuch

    Trump's homophobic cabinet

    Of course, most notable on that list would be now-Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch, the first Supreme Court appointment ever opposed by Lambda Legal. Of particular note in Gorsuch's background would be his opinion in the landmark Hobby Lobby decision which allowed employers to make health care decisions for employees based on corporate religious beliefs.

    Ken Blackwell

    Trump's homophobic cabinet

    The domestic policy chair for Trump's transition team, Ohio's controversial ex-Secretary of State Ken Blackwell has previously dubbed homosexuality a "compulsion" akin to arson and kleptomania. Trump recruited Blackwell away from work for the hateful Family Research Council.

    Ed Meese

    Trump's homophobic cabinet

    Another transition team member, former Attorney General Ed Reese previously worked with Mike Pence in support of the embarrassingly disastrous "religious freedom" law in Indiana, as noted by the Human Rights Campaign. The group also noted Meese's past suggestion that marriage equality "shows how culture has deteriorated over two centuries."

    Kay Cole James

    Trump's homophobic cabinet

    And yet another transition teamster, Kay Cole James led management and budget affairs but claimed a rich anti-LGBT resume as a former vice president of the Family Research Council. James went on to become president of the virulently right-wing Heritage Foundation.

    Tom Price

    Trump's homophobic cabinet

    Also, pour one out (or drink it up in celebration) for ousted Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price, who resigned in disgrace over a spending scandal. While not technically a part of Trump's administration anymore, he still gets a spot on this list for an enduring legacy of anti-LGBT policies that literally threaten the lives of Americans. While secretary, he allowed for businesses dispensing health services to discriminate against gay and lesbian citizens, as noted by Politico. He also boasted a solidly homophobic record as a congressman before winning his presidential appointment.

    Latest Stories

    Matt Bomer and Jonathan Bailey from Fellow Travelers
    television
    Badge
    gallery

    Watch Matt Bomer and Jonathan Bailey Get Steamy in 'Fellow Travelers' Clip

    September 19 2023 8:03 PM
    Leah Shafer and Sandy Yawn
    People
    Badge
    gallery

    Captain Sandy Yawn of ‘Below Deck Med’ Proposes to Girlfriend

    September 19 2023 4:00 PM
    Sigmund Freud and letter
    History
    Badge
    gallery

    Sigmund Freud Said Homosexuality Wasn’t ‘A Vice or a Crime’ in 1938 Letter

    September 15 2023 12:18 PM
    Anderson Cooper with his sons
    People
    Badge
    gallery

    Anderson Cooper: Fatherhood Provides 'Best Time of My Life'

    September 14 2023 3:51 PM
    VMA Nominees
    Arts & Entertainment
    Badge
    gallery

    15 LGBTQ+ Nominees Vying for MTV Video Music Awards

    September 12 2023 5:06 PM
    Robin Roberts Marries Girlfriend Amber Laign
    People
    Badge
    gallery

    Robin Roberts Marries Girlfriend Amber Laign

    September 10 2023 3:06 PM
    Stefan Peters
    People
    Badge
    gallery

    Watch This Lip-Syncing Flight Attendant Go Viral for All the Right Reasons

    September 09 2023 2:00 PM
    Queer TV and Movies coming in September
    Arts & Entertainment
    Badge
    gallery

    13 LGBTQ+ TV Shows and Movies to Watch in September

    September 08 2023 5:00 PM
    RuPublicans billboard that reads “Mind your wigs not our gigs, Greg!”
    News
    Badge
    gallery

    ‘RuPublicans’ Parody Account Targets Greg Abbott in Texas Billboard Ad Campaign

    September 08 2023 4:30 PM
    Watch Annette Bening and Jodie Foster Impress in 'Nyad' Trailer
    film
    Badge
    gallery

    Watch Annette Bening and Jodie Foster Impress in 'Nyad' Trailer

    September 08 2023 2:35 PM
    Carl Nassib
    Sports
    Badge
    gallery

    Who Is Retiring NFL Player Carl Nassib?

    September 06 2023 12:40 PM
    Bad Bunny and Gael García Bernal
    film
    Badge
    gallery

    Watch Gael García Bernal Get Intimate in ‘Cassandro’ Exclusive

    September 06 2023 11:00 AM
    Southern Decadence in New Orleans
    Travel
    Badge
    gallery

    Going to Southern Decadence? 5 Things to Know About New Orleans's Massive Queer Party

    August 31 2023 4:07 PM
    Why This Old Movie Weirdo Loves the TCM Classic Film Festival
    film
    Badge
    gallery

    Why This Old Movie Weirdo Loves the TCM Classic Film Festival

    August 30 2023 10:30 AM
    model in harness
    Photography
    Badge
    gallery

    11 Sultry Photos from Kuros's 'Spotlight Your Darkness' Series

    August 29 2023 10:19 PM
    Colman Domingo in Rustin
    film
    Badge
    gallery

    Watch Colman Domingo Shine in Timely ‘Rustin’ Trailer

    August 29 2023 11:33 AM
    Ty Herndon and Alex Schwartz
    People
    Badge
    gallery

    Country Star Ty Herndon Marries Boyfriend in Tennessee Wedding

    August 28 2023 6:09 PM
    Matteo Lane and Rodrigo Aburto
    People
    Badge
    gallery

    Comedian Matteo Lane Gets Married to Boyfriend Rodrigo Aburto

    August 22 2023 12:37 PM
    Annette Bening and Jodie Foster in NYAD
    film
    Badge
    gallery

    Annette Bening and Jodie Foster Shine in Biopic 'Nyad' First-Look Pics

    August 21 2023 6:00 PM
    Bret LaBelle and Chris Stanley
    People
    Badge
    gallery

    ​27-Year Age Gap Is No Match for Love Say Chris Stanley & Bret LaBelle

    August 19 2023 11:00 AM

    Trending stories

    Why Biden's Deal to Free Five Americans From Iran Is So Controversial

    Las Vegas Brings The Fright With Provocative New Show 'Abandon'

    This HIV Ally Is Spicing Up Sexual Health

    LeVar Burton Leads Celebrity Campaign Against Book Bans

    Este Aliado del VIH Está Condimentando la Salud Sexual

    Meet Two Amazing Activists Speaking Up About Black Women and HIV

    Meet Layton Williams & Nikita Kuzmin, 'Strictly's New Same-Sex Dance Couple

    Arrests Follow HIV Funding Protest at Speaker McCarthy's Office

    6 Great American Road Trips Perfect for Fall Colors

    Matt Bomer Orders Jonathan Bailey Around in Steamy 'Fellow Travelers' Clip

    30th Annual Long Beach Qfilms Festival Features ‘Big Boys’ This Weekend

    Elijah McClain Died From a Ketamine Injection During a Police Stop. Finally, 2 Officers Face Trial

    100 Lesbian Things To Do Before You Die

    Kevin Aviance DJs Launch of Zcrave’s New F3TISH Collection

    Kim Petras Is Surprise Releasing Her Scrapped 1st Album 'Problematique'

    Alexander Skarsgård Seen Partying And Kissing Guys At Swedish Gay Club

    Angelica Ross Accuses Emma Roberts Of Transphobia on 'AHS: 1984' Set

    Here’s Why So Many Visitors Yearn to Stay on This Secret Caribbean Island

    Kween Kong's 'Drag Race Down Under' S3 Finale Choreo Was Scrapped

    Plus156 Sept/Oct: Our Annual Latinx Issue

    'RuPaul's Drag Race' Queens Who Had Different Names Before The Show

    Why Migrant Crossings at the Southern Border Are on the Rise

    Angelica Ross Details Emma Roberts' Transphobia on 'AHS: 1984' Set

    27 TV Shows With Bisexual Guy Characters

    Wednesday's Top Stories: GOP Infighting, Migrant Influx, Economic Concerns

    Most Recent

    Troye Sivan's Sexy New Single 'Got Me Started' Just Dropped!

    DACA Immigration Policy Ruled Unlawful, But Allowed to Continue

    Missouri Trans Girl Wins Homecoming Queen & The Right Is Triggered

    'Barrio Boy' Is A Steamy Movie About Self-Discovery & Latine Identity

    Must-Visit Design Hotspots for LGBTQ+ Travelers in Cool Tokyo

    Dixon Dallas Is Back With Another Raunchy, Catchy Gay Country Song

    Stewart Taylor Releases New Breakup Anthem "Favorite Ex"

    Wednesday's Top Stories: GOP Infighting, Migrant Influx, Economic Concerns

    15 Steamy Pics Of Out Gay Reggaeton Star La Cruz

    New 'Drag Race' Host Is a Legendary Activist Living With HIV

    SF Leather Week Opens with Inauguration of World’s First Leather and Queer History Public Space

    Dixon Dallas Drops Another Steamy, NSFW Country Song & We're Sweating

    Get Ready for Provincetown’s Third-Annual Washashore Festival Featuring a Rising Tide of Queer Musical Talent

    Grace Van Dien, Stranger Things Actor, Says She's Turning Down Roles Over Sexual Harassment

    Lisa Rinna Does PTown

    How to Honor Senior Survivors of HIV

    George W. Bush Calls Out Republicans Trying to End HIV Program PEPFAR

    Dr. Randa Jaafar on Her New Practice & Helping Women Feel Their Best

    Travis Scott Investigated For Assault and $12,000 in Property Damage

    Canada Has Some of the Highest Mpox Rates in the World

    Elijah McClain Died From a Ketamine Injection During a Police Stop. Finally, 2 Officers Face Trial

    Why Migrant Crossings at the Southern Border Are on the Rise

    These 'Red, White & Royal Blue' Bloopers Will Make You Crack a Rib From Laughing

    HIV Warrior Ronnie Grace Battling Stage 4 Cancer

    Recommended Stories for You

    Troye Sivan's Sexy New Single 'Got Me Started' Just Dropped!

    DACA Immigration Policy Ruled Unlawful, But Allowed to Continue

    Missouri Trans Girl Wins Homecoming Queen & The Right Is Triggered

    'Barrio Boy' Is A Steamy Movie About Self-Discovery & Latine Identity

    Must-Visit Design Hotspots for LGBTQ+ Travelers in Cool Tokyo

    Dixon Dallas Is Back With Another Raunchy, Catchy Gay Country Song

    Stewart Taylor Releases New Breakup Anthem "Favorite Ex"

    Wednesday's Top Stories: GOP Infighting, Migrant Influx, Economic Concerns

    15 Steamy Pics Of Out Gay Reggaeton Star La Cruz

    New 'Drag Race' Host Is a Legendary Activist Living With HIV

    SF Leather Week Opens with Inauguration of World’s First Leather and Queer History Public Space

    Dixon Dallas Drops Another Steamy, NSFW Country Song & We're Sweating

    Get Ready for Provincetown’s Third-Annual Washashore Festival Featuring a Rising Tide of Queer Musical Talent

    Grace Van Dien, Stranger Things Actor, Says She's Turning Down Roles Over Sexual Harassment

    Lisa Rinna Does PTown

    How to Honor Senior Survivors of HIV

    George W. Bush Calls Out Republicans Trying to End HIV Program PEPFAR

    Dr. Randa Jaafar on Her New Practice & Helping Women Feel Their Best

    Travis Scott Investigated For Assault and $12,000 in Property Damage

    Canada Has Some of the Highest Mpox Rates in the World

    Elijah McClain Died From a Ketamine Injection During a Police Stop. Finally, 2 Officers Face Trial

    Why Migrant Crossings at the Southern Border Are on the Rise

    These 'Red, White & Royal Blue' Bloopers Will Make You Crack a Rib From Laughing

    HIV Warrior Ronnie Grace Battling Stage 4 Cancer