Michael Bloomberg launches scathing attack on Trump’s LGBT record while eating gay ice cream
Michael Bloomberg celebrated his LGBT+ policy plan with some Big Gay Ice Cream
Presidential hopeful Michael Bloomberg has become the latest to set out his plan on LGBT+ rights.
The billionaire businessman, a late entrant in the Democratic primaries, was a firm supporter of LGBT+ rights while serving as New York City mayor – and hopes to carry that through to the White House.
On Wednesday, Bloomberg set out a “comprehensive policy to ensure LGBTQ+ equality” – addressing inequalities in the workplace and disparities in health care.
Michael Bloomberg ‘will reverse’ Trump attacks on LGBT+ equality.
The policy plan makes clear: “First and foremost, Mike will reverse the multitude of policy setbacks to LGBTQ+ Americans under the Trump administration.
“Over the past three years, the Trump administration has acted to dismantle federal protections and resources for LGBTQ+ Americans, including stripping transgender people of their recognised identities and civil rights and nominating judges and officials with strong anti-LGBTQ+ records.”
https://twitter.com/Mike2020/status/1222324982786797568
The policy plan pledges to fight for the Equality Act, a proposed law to outlaw anti-LGBT+ discrimination in all 50 states – as well as vowing to protect LGBT+ youth “from the harmful practice of conversion therapy”.
Bloomberg has also promised to reverse the Trump administration’s ban on transgender individuals serving in the military, tackle the epidemic of violence against trans women of colour, and introduce protections for LGBT+ people in refugee and asylum systems.
The plan also includes some less clear pledges – such as bolstering broadband access “to support LGBTQ+ people living in rural communities”.
Presidential hopeful: I believe in a future where everyone can be who they are.
Bloomberg celebrated his policy launch with ice cream from New York’s Big Gay Ice Cream parlour.
In a video, Bloomberg said: “I’ve been proud to stand with the LGBTQ+ community in the fight for equal rights. As mayor I helped lead the effort to pass marriage equality in New York State through a Republican legislature, and I was honoured to officiate the very first same-sex wedding once it was legal.
“But in many states, you can be married on Sunday and fired on Monday just because of who you are or who you love. Now what is president Trump doing to change that? Nothing.
“In fact, he’s trying to drag us backwards. He’s gutted critical protections for LGBTQ Americans, and banned transgender Americans from serving our country in the military.
“I’m running to defeat him, and if I’m elected president, I will pass the Equality Act through Congress, and I will work to end the epidemic of violence against transgender Americans.
Democratic presidential candidate Michael Bloomberg
“I will allow anyone, regardless of gender identity, to serve in the military, and I will make sure transgender people have access to affirming health care. I believe in a future where everyone can be who they are and love who they want.”
