Anti-gay Republican Rick Santorum to announce run for President
Former US Senator and anti-gay politician Rick Santorum is set to announce his run for the 2016 presidency later today.
Mr Santorum is one of the most consistently anti-gay Republicans, speaking out against the LGBT community and same-sex marriage, as well as likening homosexuality to bigamy, polygamy, incest and adultery.
Back in 2012 he claimed that equal marriage would destroy churches, families and “disintegrate” marriage. He said at the time that legalising same-sex marriage would “destroy the institutions of America’s foundation… and destroy the American family.”
Last year, as well as claiming that same-sex marriage damaged the economy by destroying families, Mr Santorum also claimed that homosexuality was a choice, stating, “I think anybody’s behaviour is a choice. Behaviour is a choice.”
In April – in case it needed clarifying – he confirmed that he would not attend the same-sex wedding of a family member or loved one, saying, “As a person of my faith, that would be something that would be a violation of my faith.
“I would love them and support them but I would not participate in that ceremony.”
And it is not just gay people Mr Santorum has an issue with – just last month he spoke out against Bruce Jenner’s televised interview regarding his transition.
After initially seeming to support Jenner, he made his feelings about the transgender community clear, saying, “I know what anatomically and biologically he is. That doesn’t change by himself identifying himself.
“His genetics and DNA isn’t changing, but out of respect, I’m not going to argue if Bruce Jenner’s a woman with Bruce Jenner.”
Santorum – who previously ran for presidency back in 2012 but lost the candidacy to Mitt Romney – will be the latest in an increasingly long line of anti-gay candidates to join the race.
Other Republicans seeking the nomination include Senator Ted Cruz, former Governor Mike Huckabee and neurosurgeon Ben Carson – all of who have extremely poor record on gay rights.
