Hillary Clinton Blasts Trump Administration For Its LGBTQ Rights Stance

Curtis M. Wong

In an impassioned speech Saturday, Hillary Clinton laid into the Trump administration for its stance on LGBTQ rights, acknowledging that “tough battles” lie ahead for the queer community and other minority groups.

The former presidential nominee, who turned 70 on Oct. 26, blasted President Donald Trump’s decision to ban transgender service members from the U.S. military, as well as his silence on global LGBTQ rights issues, while speaking at the Human Rights Campaign’s (HRC) annual gala in Washington, D.C.

“I was outraged when I read, on Twitter of all places, that the president wanted to ban transgender people from serving in the military. You know, and he knows, transgender people have fought and died for this country from our very beginning,” Clinton told the crowd, which included the likes of Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) and Amazon founder and CEO Jeff Bezos. “They are serving in uniform with distinction right now, and the suggestion that transgender Americans are unfit to serve is insulting and wrong.”

She also lamented reports of anti-LGBTQ persecution in Egypt and the Russian republic of Chechnya, noting in her speech that such incidents should “really alarm every American.” The speech can be viewed above.

“The attacks on the LGBT community here at home and around the world are striking and scary,” Clinton said. “I can only imagine what it’s like to be in the position that so many people still find themselves in in our country. I do know what it feels like to be torn down and attacked, and I want you to know that I’m with you.”

“It’s just wrong that in 2017,” she continued, “you can lose your job, lose your home or, if this administration gets its way, be denied a wedding cake simply because of who you are and who you love.”

Later, she offered a zing at Fox News, joking that the conservative network seems to think that she lives in the White House “because they spend a disproportionate amount of time talking about impeaching me.”

“Look, if they want to make a trade, I’d be more than willing,” she quipped.

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Chelsea, Bill, and Hillary Clinton after the first Clinton-Dole debate in Hartford, Connecticut. October 6, 1996.
Chelsea, Bill, and Hillary Clinton after the first Clinton-Dole debate in Hartford, Connecticut. October 6, 1996.
A stop during Hillary Clinton's senate campaign, summer 2000. 
A stop during Hillary Clinton's senate campaign, summer 2000. 
Campaigning at a rally in Athens, Texas. August 28, 1992. 
Campaigning at a rally in Athens, Texas. August 28, 1992. 
The Clintons, with British Prime Minister Tony Blair and Cherie Blair, rest after a receiving line before a state dinner. February 5,1998.
The Clintons, with British Prime Minister Tony Blair and Cherie Blair, rest after a receiving line before a state dinner. February 5,1998.
At a campaign rally in Balboa Park, San Diego, following Bill Clinton’s presidential debate with Bob Dole there. October 16, 1996.
At a campaign rally in Balboa Park, San Diego, following Bill Clinton’s presidential debate with Bob Dole there. October 16, 1996.
Firing a US Secret Service sniper rifle at a water-filled jug while touring the Secret Service training center in Beltsville, Maryland. The jug can be seen exploding down-range. October 4, 1997. 
Firing a US Secret Service sniper rifle at a water-filled jug while touring the Secret Service training center in Beltsville, Maryland. The jug can be seen exploding down-range. October 4, 1997. 
At the state dinner in the White House for Chinese President Jiang Zemin. October 29, 1997. 
At the state dinner in the White House for Chinese President Jiang Zemin. October 29, 1997. 
President Clinton and Hillary Clinton in a meeting about healthcare reform in the White House's Roosevelt Room.&nbsp;February 17, 1993.&nbsp;<u></u>
President Clinton and Hillary Clinton in a meeting about healthcare reform in the White House's Roosevelt Room. February 17, 1993. 
Addressing the press and taking questions on a wide range of topics in the East Room of the White House. The seventy-two-minute Q&amp;A came months after reporters began demanding that Clinton discuss her role in criticized commodity trades and an Arkansas land deal first reported on in 1992. It was her only such event during her tenure as First Lady. April 22, 1994.&nbsp;
Speaking with Secretary of State Madeleine Albright aboard Air Force One en route to Europe. May 26, 1997.&nbsp;
Speaking with Secretary of State Madeleine Albright aboard Air Force One en route to Europe. May 26, 1997. 

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