ICYMI: Republican Larry Hogan “Stayed On the Sidelines” When It Came to Protecting LGBTQ+ Rights as Governor [Baltimore Banner]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 3, 2024

Contact: Lindsay Reilly, [email protected]

ICYMI: Republican Larry Hogan “Stayed On the Sidelines” When It Came to Protecting LGBTQ+ Rights as Governor [Baltimore Banner]

Hogan’s Pride Parade appearance doesn’t match his anti-LGBTQ+ rights record

Don’t let Republican Larry Hogan’s first-ever Pride Parade appearance fool you: Hogan has a long track record of opposing LGBTQ+ rights and, if elected, would turn control of the U.S. Senate over to Republicans who want to pass extreme policiesthat would limit LGBTQ+ rights.

The Baltimore Banner reported on self-described “lifelong Republican” Larry Hogan’s anti-LGBTQ+ rights record over the weekend:

• “Hogan didn’t march in Pride parades or light up the governor’s mansion in rainbow colors.”

• “[Hogan] didn’t sponsor any legislation aimed at expanding rights for LGBTQ+ Marylanders or helping them with healthcare or fighting discrimination. When those types of bills did pass the Democrat-dominated legislature and ended up on the governor’s desk, Hogan typically let them become law without his signature.”

• “‘Larry Hogan, for eight years, essentially acted as if LGBTQ people did not exist,’ said Del. Kris Fair, chair of the General Assembly’s LGBTQ+ Caucus.”

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:

Baltimore Banner: How Hogan, Alsobrooks are courting LGBTQ+ support in Maryland’s U.S. Senate race

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• [Wearing a] black polo shirt… [Hogan] was marching in his first-ever Pride Month event.

• A few openly booed [Hogan]. “Get Republicans out of Pride!” one person shouted.

• LGBTQ+ voters, and their allies, are concerned about maintaining their rights, particularly with a conservative majority on the U.S. Supreme Court and the prospect of Republican control of Congress and the White House. When the Supreme Court overturned the Roe v. Wade case that legalized abortion care, Justice Clarence Thomas signaled an intention to overturn the Obergefell v. Hodges case that allowed for same-sex marriages nationwide.

Hogan’s Record:

• Hogan has been casting himself as an independent voice, but he is from the same party that, in other parts of the country, has taken aim at diverse curricula, transgender youth and even drag performers.

• During his eight years as governor, Hogan largely stayed on the sidelines when it comes to gay rights.

• Hogan didn’t march in Pride parades or light up the governor’s mansion in rainbow colors.

• He didn’t sponsor any legislation aimed at expanding rights for LGBTQ+ Marylanders or helping them with healthcare or fighting discrimination.

• When those types of bills did pass the Democrat-dominated legislature and ended up on the governor’s desk, Hogan typically let them become law without his signature.

• The LGBTQ+-friendly bills went into law without Hogan’s signature or support included measures making it easier for transgender Marylanders to change their birth certificates, drivers licenses and marriage certificates; creating a state Commission on LGBTQ+ Affairs; and expanding the definition of a hate crime to include gender identity.

• “Larry Hogan, for eight years, essentially acted as if LGBTQ people did not exist,” said Del. Kris Fair, chair of the General Assembly’s LGBTQ+ Caucus.

• The strides made for the LGBTQ community were done “despite his administration,” said Fair, a Democrat. One that particularly frustrates Fair is a law passed in 2021 that eliminates the so-called “panic defense” that a criminal defendant could use in court to limit their culpability based on learning of a victim’s sexual or gender identity. It went into effect without Hogan’s signature.

• “It’s genuinely shocking to people like me that he couldn’t even take a basic position on very simple legislation. That would have spoke volumes from his office,” Fair said.

• Hogan, in a brief interview, did not offer any specific policies or legislation he’d support for the LGBTQ+ community if elected to the Senate.

Alsobrooks’ record:

• Alsobrooks, meanwhile, has publicly championed LGBTQ+ rights.

• After previously issuing Pride Month proclamations, Alsobrooks appointed the first LGBTQ liaison for the Prince George’s County government in June 2023.

• That month, Alsobrooks also wrapped a rainbow feather boa around her neck and walked in the Annapolis Pride parade; she also donned rainbow sunglasses for a county police department Pride walk at National Harbor. Later in the fall, Alsobrooks participated in a county government LGBTQIA+ “meet and greet.”

• Her campaign website makes a broad promise to “stand up for the rights of LGBTQ+ Americans.” The website promises Alsobrooks will “strongly oppose” anti-trans legislation put forward by Republicans.

• “We must speak out against anti-trans hate and violence, from bullying in our schools, to violent hate-based crimes, to discriminatory legislation,” the website reads.