Ohio Senator and Trump’s running mate, JD Vance, sparked a firestorm with comments on The Joe Rogan Experience, where he suggested that he and Donald Trump could capture the so-called “normal gay guy” vote.
Vance’s remarks, which included critiques of LGBTQ+ rights and trans-inclusive healthcare, were met with a swift backlash from LGBTQ+ voices and allies, many of whom criticized Vance’s notion of a “normal” LGBTQ+ voter as exclusionary and out of touch.
In the conversation, Vance claimed Trump could appeal to LGBTQ+ individuals who “just want to be left the hell alone,” referencing a gay friend allegedly uncomfortable with terms like “two-spirit” and finding LGBTQ+ terminology around identity unnecessary.
Vance added, “I wouldn’t be surprised if me and Trump won just the normal gay guy vote.” However, social media was quick to criticize this oversimplified view of LGBTQ+ voters’ diverse concerns.
The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) humorously responded on X (formerly Twitter), writing, “JD, No. Like not even close.” HRC National Press Secretary Brandon Wolf added his own thoughts, saying, “This gay guy voted for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz today.”
Others joined in, refuting the idea that the LGBTQ+ community would rally behind Vance and Trump. Sam Alleman, LGBTQ+ engagement director for the Harris-Walz campaign, said, “Normal gay guy voter here, no, you won’t.” Ben Siemon, a TV writer, chimed in, “I’m a weird gay guy that proudly voted for Kamala Harris.”
The conversation also turned humorous, with podcaster Vic Vela jokingly posting, “Me trying to figure out if I’m a normal or abnormal gay guy,” alongside a meme of complex math equations. Another user wryly commented, “So, only the ‘normal gay guys’ that wear eyeliner?” referring to previous social media remarks on Vance’s alleged use of eye makeup.
Vance’s rhetoric echoes a trend where some conservative politicians try to split the LGBTQ+ community by isolating trans rights. However, recent voting patterns suggest that attempts to divide LGBTQ+ voters miss the mark.
Research from HRC shows that “Equality Voters”—a broad coalition of LGBTQ+ individuals and allies prioritizing inclusive policies—make up an influential 75 million votes and have shown strong support for pro-equality candidates.
Polls show that Kamala Harris leads Trump among LGBTQ+ voters by a wide margin, with over 70% planning to vote for the Democratic ticket according to a recent HRC survey. This support grows to nearly 70 points among LGBTQ+ voters who are confirmed to cast ballots. Many LGBTQ+ advocates have pointed to the Heritage Foundation’s “Project 2025” as an additional cause for concern.
The project aims to reverse significant LGBTQ+ protections in a potential Trump second term, including those established in landmark cases like Bostock v. Clayton County and Obergefell v. Hodges, which confirmed workplace protections and marriage equality.
Vance’s remarks are part of a broader trend in conservative circles attempting to appeal to certain LGBTQ+ voters while rejecting the community’s more inclusive stances on identity and healthcare.
However, responses online underscore the misalignment between Vance’s message and the priorities of many LGBTQ+ voters. For now, LGBTQ+ activists continue to highlight the stakes of the 2024 election, pointing out the stark contrast in policies affecting LGBTQ+ rights between the Harris-Walz and Trump-Vance campaigns.
