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
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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
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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
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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
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He justified this by asserting that these materials exposed children to “sexual imagery and radical gender ideology.”
The Democratic Nominee
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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
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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
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Craig boldly exclaimed, “Happy wedding anniversary to my wife,” earning herself a well-deserved standing ovation from her Democratic colleagues.
A Social Media Post
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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
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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”
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The social media post ended with the threatening phrase “enjoy it while it lasts – it won’t be long.”
Johnson’s Response
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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.