April 25, 2025 The Newspaper Serving LGBT Los Angeles

On final Day of Republican convention, LGBTQ peeks through

Peter Thiel speaks at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland on July 21. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)
Peter Thiel speaks at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland on July 21. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

BY CHRIS JOHNSON  |  FOR THE NATIONAL GAY MEDIA ASSOCIATION FROM THE WASHINGTON BLADE  |  CLEVELAND — For the first time in 16 years, an openly gay speaker took the stage at the Republican National Convention on Thursday.

Peter Thiel, a co-founder of PayPal and Facebook and a California delegate supporting Trump, proclaimed his sexual orientation to attendees during prime time remarks.

“Of course, every American has a unique identity,” Thiel said. “I am proud to be gay, I am proud to be a Republican, but most of all I am proud to be an American.”

The audience at the Quicken Loans Arena applauded when he made the declaration. Convention officials in neon-colored hats rallied the crowd in a chant of “U-S-A! U-S-A!”

As he spoke, three other openly gay delegates from California — Charles Moran, Ric Grenell and Juan Hernandez — were positioned in seats in the front row. Thiel was given a prime speaking slot at the convention less than an hour before Donald Trump gave his acceptance speech to claim the Republican presidential nomination.

It was the first time since 2000 that an openly gay speaker addressed a Republican National Convention. At that time, then-Rep. Jim Kolbe spoke to the crowd. Although Kolbe didn’t mention his sexual orientation and instead discussed trade policy, many delegates on the floor turned their backs as he spoke.

Much of Thiel’s speech consisted of promoting a positive climate for business growth as well as attacking Hillary Clinton, but the Trump supporter also referenced LGBT rights.

In the aftermath of delegates at the Republican National Convention ratifying a platform considered the most anti-LGBT in the party’s history, Thiel sought to minimize its impact.

“I don’t agree with every plank in our party’s platform, but fake culture wars distract us from our economic decline,” Thiel said.

Amid national debate on whether transgender people should be able to use the restroom consistent with their gender identity, Thiel was dismissive of the controversy.

“When I was a kid, the great debate was about how to defeat the Soviet Union, and we won,” Thiel said.

“Now we are told that the great debate is about who gets to use which bathroom. This is a distraction from our real problems. Who cares?”

It’s unclear whether Thiel was being critical of LGBT advocates for seeking to protect transgender people against discrimination in bathroom use or whether he was speaking out against laws barring them from using the restroom consistent with their gender identity.

Chad Griffin, president of the Human Rights Campaign, interpreted Thiel’s remarks as belittling efforts to ensure transgender people have access to the restrooms consistent with their gender identity and rebuked him.

After the speech, Moran told the Washington Blade Thiel delivered “a great message on economic prosperity and freedom.”

“And the enthusiastic standing ovation he got after his, ‘I am gay, I am Republican, I am an American’ line was a continued reinforcement that the body politic of the GOP is for an inclusive party for the LGBTQ community,” Moran said.

esident of the Family Research Council Tony Perkins speaks at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland on July 21. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)
esident of the Family Research Council Tony Perkins speaks at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland on July 21. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

Counterbalancing Thiel as an openly gay speaker were speeches on the same day from Tony Perkins, president of the anti-LGBT Family Research Council, and Jerry Falwell, Jr., president of Liberty University, which has a staunchly anti-LGBT reputation.

The day after Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) refused during his speech at the convention to endorse Trump, Perkins said he plans to cast a vote for the nominee in November, citing the candidate’s pledge to appoint conservative justices to the Supreme Court.

Falwell touted Trump’s pledge to repeal the 1954 Johnson Amendment, which prohibits tax-exempt organizations from endorsing or opposing political candidates.

Liberty University President Jerry Falwell, Jr. speaks at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland on July 21. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)
Liberty University President Jerry Falwell, Jr. speaks at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland on July 21. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

“I truly believe Mr. Trump is America’s blue-collar billionaire,” Falwell said. “He is down to earth, loves America and the American people. He is a true patriot and a champion of the common man. Mr. Trump has added a plank to this party platform to repeal IRS rules sponsored by Lyndon Johnson in 1954 barring churches and non-profits from expressing political free speech.”

On the other hand, Steve Bailey, Superintendent of the North Coast District United Methodist Church, delivered the invocation that night using the term “whom you love” — a term of art often used to indicate gay people.

Rev. Dr. Steve Bailey of the United Methodist Church offers the invocation at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland on July 21. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)
Rev. Dr. Steve Bailey of the United Methodist Church offers the invocation at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland on July 21. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

“We know that it’s not right when lives are destroyed by addiction, when our justice system favors some, and punishes others,” Bailey said. “When children and women are trafficked in our streets. Or when people are denigrated because of who they are or whom they love.”

Related Posts

Skirball Center’s Puppet Festival Promises an Afternoon of Imagination and Play

April 24, 2025

April 24, 2025

SoCal’s Top Puppeteers Will Perform Alongside Live Music, DIY Puppet-Making The Skirball Cultural Center is set to transform into a...

Q&A: No Age Limit on Home Care Management & Home Safety, Tips from a Care Manager

April 24, 2025

April 24, 2025

In-home safety issues that go unnoticed — cracked sidewalks, broken railings or uneven flooring for example — are often the root...

West Hollywood Braces for Controversial Rally, Reaffirms Commitment to Equality

April 24, 2025

April 24, 2025

City of West Hollywood Condemns Harmful Rhetoric Ahead of Planned Assembly City officials and public safety leaders in West Hollywood...

Culver City Police Hosts DEA Drug Take Back Day on April 26

April 24, 2025

April 24, 2025

Dispose of Expired Prescriptions Safely and Anonymously The Culver City Police Department will participate in National Prescription Drug Take Back...

Former Cedars-Sinai OB-GYN Accused of Sexually Abusing Patients for Four Decades

April 24, 2025

April 24, 2025

Ten Women Say Their Reports Were Ignored as Brock Continued to Practice for Decades. A group of 10 women has...

LAX/Metro Station is One Step Closer to Transforming the Airport Commute

April 24, 2025

April 24, 2025

New Multi-Modal Metro Station Connects Angelenos to the Airport Metro Board Chair and Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn announced...

FBI Unravels Alleged Plot to Sell Stolen Andy Warhol Print in Beverly Hills

April 24, 2025

April 24, 2025

Mid-City Pawn Shop Owner Charged in High-Stakes Art Scheme The owner of a pawn shop in Los Angeles’ Mid-City neighborhood...

The Brian Jonestown Massacre Drops New Double A-Side Ahead of U.S. Tour

April 24, 2025

April 24, 2025

Legendary Psych-Rockers Set April 25 Release and Fall North American Tour The Brian Jonestown Massacre is set to release a...

(Video) Matú Kai Brentwood: The full experience

April 23, 2025

April 23, 2025

Sister restaurant to Matú in Beverly Hills, located at 11777 San Vicente Blvd. Sister restaurant to Matú in Beverly Hills,...

Uncle Stevey’s Bagels Wins Westside Hearts with Next-Level Bagels, Premium Sandwiches, and Local Coffee

April 23, 2025

April 23, 2025

Family-Run Shop Serves Delicious and Thoughtfully Curated Bagels With Love By Dolores Quintana A little more than a year since...

Santa Monica’s Socalo Toasts Pali Wine Co. with a Five-Course Culinary Celebration

April 23, 2025

April 23, 2025

Enjoy Celebrated Central Coast Wines, Including a 100-Point Red Blend Socalo, the acclaimed Mexican restaurant from celebrity chefs Mary Sue...

Go Go Bird Teams Up with Chef Chris Oh for Korean-Inspired Fried Chicken Sandwich

April 23, 2025

April 23, 2025

Crispy, Saucy, Spicy: Chris Oh’s Fried Chicken Sandwich Lands in Culver City Go Go Bird, located in Culver City’s Citizen...

Fogo de Chão Hosts Wine Lover’s Dream Night with Chilean Winery VIK

April 23, 2025

April 23, 2025

Diners Will Enjoy a Chef-Curated South American Menu, Highly Rated Wines Wine lovers and culinary connoisseurs are invited to gather...

(Video) A Myriad of Ways to Unlock Your Beauty Offered at Mirror Mirror Med Spa

April 23, 2025

April 23, 2025

For More Info, Go To Mirrormedspa.com For More Info, Go To https://t.co/KJ6rMHm6wj pic.twitter.com/hRl6JlLSNy — Palisades News (@PalisadesNewsLA) April 23, 2025

City Council Member John Erickson Honors Pope Francis After His Passing

April 22, 2025

April 22, 2025

Pope of the People Remembered by West Hollywood City Council Member  West Hollywood City Council member and former Mayor John...