Gay Republican insists party is more LGBT friendly than ever
Rachel Hoff says the Republican party is “ready to move on” when it comes to LGBT rights.
The first ever out person to be part of the Republican National Convention’s platform committee says she believes her party has a “bright future” when it comes to LGBT rights.
Rachel Hoff spoke out after the Republican National Convention (RNC) last week adopted its most extreme party platform yet on LGBT rights.
The platform rejects attempts to ban ‘gay cure’ therapy for minors, claiming “parents should be free to make medical decisions about their children without interference”.
It also insists that “natural marriage between a man and a woman is most likely to result in offspring who do not become drug-addicted or otherwise damaged.”
However, despite her pleas for inclusion and tolerance being ignored by her party, Hoff says she has hope for the GOP.
“Outside of the platform committee, our party is ready to move on,” Hoff said in an interview with Think Progress.
“A huge number of people have come up and thanked me for being their voice in the room.
“It’s especially touching when it’s fellow LGBT Republicans. Most of the people are just people who want to see our party either fully support pro-LGBT policies or move on from anti-LGBT policies.”
Hoff’s comments come after tech billionaire Peter Thiel made history by becoming the first openly gay man to discuss his sexuality publicly at the RNC.
The Paypal founder told the crowd that he is “proud to be gay,” becoming the first speaker in the party’s history to do so during the gathering.
“Of course, every American has a unique identity,” he declared.
“I am proud to be gay.
“I am proud to be a Republican.
“But most of all I am proud to be an American.”
