Only 24 percent approve of Trump’s handling of LGBT rights
US President Donald Trump steps off Air Force One upon arrival at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland on June 19, 2019. (MANDEL NGAN/AFP/Getty)
Just 24 percent of Americans approve of the way the Trump administration has handled LGBT+ issues.
A poll by YouGov for The Hill published on Wednesday (June 19) asked voters:”In general, to what extent do you approve or disapprove of the way the Trump administration handles LGBTQ+ rights issues?”
Pollsters found that 38 percent of voters disapprove of Trump’s handling of LGBT+ issues, while less than a quarter approve.
Only 12 percent strongly approve of Trump LGBT+ stance
Those who disapprove of Trump’s handling of LGBT+ issues are also more likely to feel strongly about it.
29 percent of Americans strongly disapprove of the way the Trump administration has handled LGBT+ issues, while just 12 percent of Americans strongly approve.
Just 24 percent of Americans approve of the way Trump handles LGBT+ issues
Even among Republican voters, only 47 percent approved of Trump’s handling of LGBT+ issues.
However, the poll does not distinguish between voters who disapprove of the Trump administration being anti-LGBT, and those who disapprove of it not being anti-LGBT enough.
Nearly one in three are strongly opposed to the Trump administration’s stance
Trump has expended significant resources and political capital pursuing a divisive ban on transgender people in the military and repealing trans-inclusive guidance.
The administration has also been accused of trying to systemically undermine discrimination protections for LGBT+ people and unpick Obama-era regulations.
Half of Americans would support new LGBT+ anti-discrimination bill
The poll, conducted to mark Pride Month, also found that more than half of Americans support the Equality Act, a proposed law that would outlaw discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
The bill passed the House of Representatives in May with overwhelming support, but the Republican-controlled Senate has refused to put it to a vote, and the Trump administration has not committed to signing it.
Voters support a LGBT+ non-discrimination law
50 percent of Americans said they support a law to “ban discrimination in employment, housing, and public accommodations based on sexual orientation and gender identity,” with just 21 percent opposed and 28 percent neutral or unsure.
The bill has earned a boost in popular support after a lobbying campaign run by pop singer Taylor Swift.
Swift included a call-to-action in her latest music video urging her supporters to back the bill.
330,000 people have signed her petition, which states: “While we have so much to celebrate, we also have a great distance to go before everyone in this country is truly treated equally.
“In excellent recent news, the House has passed the Equality Act, which would protect LGBTQ people from discrimination in their places of work, homes, schools, and other public accommodations. The next step is that the bill will go before the Senate.
“While there’s no information yet as to when the Equality Act will go before the Senate for a vote, we do know this: Politicians need votes to stay in office.
“Votes come from the people. Pressure from massive amounts of people is a major way to push politicians towards positive change. That’s why I’ve created this petition to urge the Senate to support the Equality Act.
“Our country’s lack of protection for its own citizens ensures that LGBTQ people must live in fear that their lives could be turned upside down by an employer or landlord who is homophobic or transphobic.
“The fact that, legally, some people are completely at the mercy of the hatred and bigotry of others is disgusting and unacceptable.”
