The new Republican House Speaker has finally been chosen after weeks of turmoil and disagreement within the party, but one advocate for LGBTQ+ rights managed to embarrass the hard-right Republican, prompting a standing ovation from the audience.
A Pointed Political Trolling
A gay Democratic representative seized an opportunity to troll the new Republican Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, Mike Johnson, known for his anti-LGBTQ+ stance.
A Controversial Election
Amid weeks of political turbulence within the Republican Party, Mike Johnson from Louisiana secured his position as the new Speaker of the House.
Johnson’s Anti-LGBTQ+ Record
Speaker Johnson’s past includes involvement in introducing a bill that led to the removal of LGBTQ+-friendly educational materials from classrooms.
An Absurd Justification
He justified this by asserting that these materials exposed children to “sexual imagery and radical gender ideology.”
The Democratic Nominee
On the Democratic side, Hakeem Jeffries was nominated for the position of Speaker, setting the stage for political rivalries within the House.
Trolling in Action
Democratic Representative Angie Craig chose the perfect moment to troll Speaker Johnson while casting her vote for Jeffries. Her statement referenced her wife and their 15th wedding anniversary.
A Powerful Statement
Craig boldly exclaimed, “Happy wedding anniversary to my wife,” earning herself a well-deserved standing ovation from her Democratic colleagues.
A Social Media Post
Taking her message to social media, Angie Craig revealed Speaker Johnson’s controversial stances, “Mike Johnson spent his legal career fighting against same-sex marriage, adoption and marital benefits. Now he’s brought that fight to Congress.
A Stand for Equality
Craig displayed her pride in voting against Speaker Johnson, “Proud to vote against him on my 15th anniversary with my wife, Cheryl.”
“Enjoy It While It Lasts”
The social media post ended with the threatening phrase “enjoy it while it lasts – it won’t be long.”
Johnson’s Response
While the video capturing Craig’s trolling didn’t reveal Speaker Johnson’s reaction, it’s noted that he simply “looked down at his tie.”
A History of Controversy
Mike Johnson’s notoriety isn’t limited to his anti-LGBTQ+ positions. He’s also among the Republicans who actively supported former President Trump’s claims of election fraud in the 2020 Presidential election.
Advocating for Trump
During the tumultuous aftermath of the 2020 election, Speaker Johnson urged the former President to persist in his legal challenges and “exhaust every available legal remedy.”
A Divisive Stance
Johnson’s unwavering loyalty to Trump during the election aftermath mirrors the broader divisions within the Republican Party during that period.
The New Speaker’s Challenge
As the new Speaker of the House, Mike Johnson faces the complex task of presiding over a diverse and divided Congress.
The post LGBTQ+ Champion Leaves New House Speaker Red-Faced first appeared on Pulse of Pride.
Featured Image Credit: Shutterstock / Michael Barajas. The people shown in the images are for illustrative purposes only, not the actual people featured in the story.
