Ohio Senator and Donald Trump’s 2024 running mate, JD Vance, recently appeared on Joe Rogan’s podcast, engaging in a candid discussion on LGBTQ+ rights and broader cultural topics. During the conversation, Vance expressed his belief that he and Trump could capture the support of “normal gay guys” due to their emphasis on individual autonomy, especially in areas involving medical interventions.
Addressing the current discourse around gender and sexual identity, Vance voiced concerns about pharmaceutical interventions for children exploring gender transitions, suggesting that many Americans, including gay individuals, are uncomfortable with such practices. Vance pointed to a growing desire within the community to maintain personal freedom and avoid medical procedures that he believes are becoming more socially pressured.
In response to this conversation, an X user shared their perspective on the LGBTQ+ policies enacted under Trump, contrasting them with what they described as divisive policies from the current administration. The user highlighted Trump’s record on gay rights, noting that he appointed the first openly gay cabinet member, Richard Grenell, and initiated a drive to end HIV/AIDS transmission by 2030. They emphasised Trump’s efforts to expand access to PrEP, a preventive treatment for HIV, and his UN address advocating the decriminalisation of homosexuality worldwide.
Moreover, the user said that Trump’s administration extended IVF coverage to gay families and proposed an expanded child tax credit for families across the spectrum. They called these moves a “strong foundation” for the LGBTQ+ community, contending that Trump’s policies provide tangible support.
By contrast, the user criticised current Democratic policies that promote taxpayer-funded gender transition surgeries and initiatives like “tampons in boys’ bathrooms,” as well as measures allowing boys to compete in girls’ sports. They suggested that such policies are out of step with mainstream gay values, labelling them as “pandering” rather than supportive. For many “commonsense gay men,” the user concluded, Trump’s approach aligns more closely with their priorities.
