DSCC Statement: Rubio & Trump Mark Two-Month Anniversary of Pulse Shooting at Anti-LGBT Rally

Two months after using the tragic Pulse shootings as his pivot to re-enter the U.S. Senate race, Marco Rubio will be in Orlando to speak to an anti-LGBT conference sponsored by an organization deemed a “hate group” by the Southern Poverty Law Center. Joining Rubio on the conference stage is a man who criticized memorials for the 49 Pulse victims for turning into “homosexual love fests,” a man who called AIDS a “penalty” for homosexual behavior, a man who said the “gay agenda” was just a period of “sexual confusion”…

 

…and Donald Trump, who Rubio continues to support for President.

 

“Apparently using the death of 49 Floridians at an LGBT club to re-launch his political career wasn’t crass enough for Marco Rubio. Now he’s spending the two-month anniversary of the tragic attacks with Donald Trump and other fear mongers at an anti-LGBT rally.  This is more than just disrespectful—it’s an affront to the thousands of LGBT constituents Rubio refuses to represent in the U.S. Senate,” said DSCC spokesperson Sam Lau. “But today’s appearance is just the latest mark in Rubio’s long record opposing equal rights for LGBT Floridians, whether he’s speaking out against marriage equality or fighting against equal protections in the workplace. Floridians don’t need another term from a Senator like Rubio who is only out for himself and his political career.”

 

Rubio’s anti-LGBT record is both broad and backwards. He:

• Called the Supreme Court’s DOMA decision a “serious mistake”
• Voted against the Employment Non-Discrimination Act because it created “special protections” based on orientation
• Pledged to reverse the Obama administration’s LGBT executive orders
• Supported retaining the military’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy
• Opposed allowing gay couples to adopt children because children “shouldn’t be forced to be part of a social experiment”

 

Rubio’s appearance at this week’s rally has already received harsh criticism in Florida and across the country:

 

Tampa Bay Times: Rubio, Trump face criticism over religious conference held two months after Pulse massacre

 

Saint Peters Blog: Patrick Murphy calls on Marco Rubio to drop out of religious conference this week

 

Orlando Sentinel: Democrats: Rubio should drop out of ‘anti-LGBT rally’ in Orlando

 

Tampa Bay Times: Rubio defends appearance at religious conference critics say is anti-gay

 

Orlando Weekly: Protest planned against Rubio’s speech at ‘anti-LGBT’ religious conference in Orlando

 

Tampa Bay Times: Groups plan to protest Rubio speech at religious conference in Orlando

 

The Hill: Dem Senate hopeful accuses Rubio of speaking to ‘hate group’

 

Florida Politics: Donald Trump to attend same Christian-right conference for which Marco Rubio is being assailed

 

Wall Street Journal: Donald Trump, Marco Rubio to Meet With Pastors in Florida This Week