Former Vice President Mike Pence. (Photo via Pence’s Facebook)
In response to the former vice president’s campaign announcement, the Human Rights Campaign has denounced Mike Pence and pledged to mobilize its voters against the man it deems “dangerously out of step with the average American’s views on freedom and equality.”
The statement from the HRC, released June 7, includes an outline of the anti-LGBTQ+ acts that Pence has committed during his time in Congress, as governor of Indiana and as veep to former President Donald Trump.
While in Congress, Pence opposed repealing “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” which prevented LGBTQ+ members of the U.S. military from serving openly, because he worried it would hurt morale and unit cohesion; firmly opposed hate crimes protections based on gender identity, as well as claimed there was no evidence that these kinds of crimes even occur; and introduced legislation to remove federal funding from Planned Parenthood three legislative sessions in a row.
During his time as governor of Indiana, Pence challenged a court ruling that removed the state’s ban on same-sex marriage and was “disappointed” in the landmark Supreme Court ruling legalizing marriage equality throughout the entire United States.
“I believe marriage is the union between one man and one woman,” Pence said. “And I am disappointed that the Supreme Court failed to recognize the historic role of the states in setting marriage policy in this country.”
While in office as the Vice President of the United States, Pence spoke at an event hosted by the Alliance Defending Freedom, which is classified as a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center. At this event, Pence defended his wife’s decision to teach at a school that discriminates against LGBTQ+ students and teachers.
“At a time when far-right groups are influencing horrific legislation in state legislatures like never before,” Kelley Robinson, president of the Human Rights Campaign said. “We will need to ensure that Pence, who has deep ties to the likes of Alliance Defending Freedom and Focus on the Family, will never replicate the same hate from the most powerful position in the country.”
Pence is one of three Republicans to enter the 2024 presidential race this week. Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie announced his run June 6 and North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum jumped into the race shortly after Pence’s announcement.
Today’s announcements brings the GOP field running for president up to nine with several others expected to be weighing their options.
