THE TRUMP administration has come out in defence of Mike Pence amid accusations the US Vice President is homophobic.
During his time as Indiana governor, Mr. Pence voted against a bill banning discriminating against people based on their sexual orientation and also opposed the repeal of a law preventing openly gay people from serving in the military.
A devout Christian, his repeated support of anti-LGBT+ policies led many to criticise his two-day trip to Ireland.
However White House deputy press secretary Judd Deere dismissed any suggestion Mr Pence is “anti-gay”, citing the fact he agreed to meet the Irish Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and his same-sex partner as proof.
“For all of you who still think our [vice-president] is anti-gay, I point you to his and the @SecondLady’s schedule tomorrow where they will join Taoiseach @LeoVaradkar and his partner Dr Matthew Barrett for lunch in Ireland,” Deere tweeted.
For all of you who still think our @VP is anti-gay, I point you to his and the @SecondLady’s schedule tomorrow where they will join Taoiseach @LeoVaradkar and his partner Dr. Matthew Barrett for lunch in Ireland. 🇮🇪 @merrionstreet pic.twitter.com/Cj5kMpln0U
— Judd Deere 45 Archived (@JuddPDeere45) September 3, 2019
Mr Pence stayed at the Trump International Golf Club in Doonbeg during his two day trip to Ireland, during which both he and his wife Karen Pence had lunch with Leo Varadkar and Matthew Barrett before a joint press conference.
Charlotte Clymer, press secretary at civil rights group Human Rights Campaign, remained unconvinced though, tweeting:
“For those who think Mike Pence isn’t anti-gay, let me remind you that as Governor of Indiana, he pushed anti-LGBTQ policies so widely criticized that a corporate boycott of the state lost it tens of millions in revenue and made Pence the most unpopular governor in America.”
Chasten Buttigieg, the husband of gay Democratic presidential contender Pete Buttigieg also dismissed the claim, arguing “homophobic” people were no less homophobic for sharing a meal with gay people.
“I’ve sat at tables with people who would gladly deny me the right to marry, who openly support conversion therapy, and who adamantly believe being gay is a choice,” he tweeted. “Doesn’t mean they’re any less homophobic because we shared a meal.”
Mr Pence’s visit was not without controversy, most notable when he appeared to side with British prime minister Boris Johnson during the ongoing Brexit negotiations, urging the EU to negotiate in “good faith” with Downing Street .
"The United States supports the United Kingdom's decision to leave the European Union but we also recognise the unique challenges on your border and I can assure you we will continue to encourage the United Kingdom and Ireland to ensure any Brexit deal respects the Good Friday Agreement," Mr Pence said.
"But as the deadline for Brexit approaches, we urge Ireland and the European Union as well to negotiate in good faith with Prime Minister Johnson and work to reach an agreement that respects the United Kingdom's sovereignty and minimises disruption to commerce."
