March 28, 2024 The Newspaper Serving LGBT Los Angeles

UPDATED: Trump Inauguration marred by dark rhetoric, rain and protests

BY KAREN OCAMB  |   The Etch-a-Sketch of history shook the American consciousness and seemed to instantly erase LGBT visibility as Donald J. Trump was sworn in as the 45th President of the United States on Friday. The rain and clouds hovering over the ceremony seemed to match Trump’s inauguration speech, a rehash of the darker highlights from his campaign rallies, as the new president once again addressed his populist base and shunned the traditional soaring rhetorical praise for American values as an appeal to unify the country.

Trump-the-disrupter spat out his apocalyptic vision of the country, promising to end the “American carnage” caused by gangs, drugs and crime and pledging to “reform the world against radical Islamic terrorism, which we will eradicate from the face of the Earth.”

“January 20, 2017, will be remembered as the day the people became the rulers of this nation again,” a still bombastic Trump said as former presidents Jimmy Carter, George W. Bush, Bill Clinton and Barack Obama looked on. “The forgotten men and women of our country will be forgotten no longer. Everyone is listening to you now. You came by the tens of millions to become part of a historic movement, the likes of which the world has never seen before.”

And while Bikers for Trump may have ridden to Washington DC from all over the country, the numbers did not come close to the “tens of millions” the new president touted. In fact, President Obama left office with 60 percent approval ratings, with 65 percent saying his presidency had been a success.  Even out Fox News anchor Shepard Smith noted as America’s first black president prepared to leave the White House that the economy has been on an upswing over the past six years, thanks to Obama. Trump, meanwhile, dismissed the rating surveys as “rigged” on Tuesday after a Washington Post-ABC News poll placed him at 40 percent, the lowest of any incoming president since Jimmy Carter in 1977. NBC/Wall Street Journal poll had him at 44 percent.

It fell to Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer to articulate the obvious and give voice to the loyal opposition, the almost three million more voters who preferred former Sec. of State Hillary Clinton.

“We face threats foreign and domestic,” Schumer said.  “In such times, faith in our government, our institutions, and even our country can erode. Despite these challenges, I stand here today confident in this great country for one reason: you, the American people.”

Schumer got boos from the crowd but continued: “Whatever our race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity. Whether we are immigrant or native-born. Whether we live with disabilities or do not. In wealth or in poverty, we are all exceptional in our commonly held, yet fierce devotion to our country.”

And while Schumer celebrated the transition of power, he also stressed the stakes ahead, if Trump follows through on his campaign rhetoric.

“Today we celebrate one of democracy’s core attributes: the peaceful transfer of power. And every day we stand up for core democratic principles enshrined in the Constitution. The rule of law, equal protection for all under law, the freedom of speech, press, religion. The things that make America, America,” Schumer said, perhaps resisting the urge to say “what makes America great in the first place.”

The LGBT community, along with immigrants and women and the disabled, are about to enter a world where words might not mean what they used to or what they seem to mean as they stand in stark contrast to actions taken. For instance, will Trump or his supporters call for a new McCarthy-style loyalty oath?

“At the bedrock of our politics will be a total allegiance to the United States of America and through our loyalty to our country, we will rediscover our loyalty to each other,” Trump said. “When you open your heart to patriotism, there is no room for prejudice. The bible tells us how good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity. We must speak our minds openly, debate our disagreements honestly, but always pursue solidarity.”

But while Trump calls for “no room for prejudice,” the closing prayers were delivered by two staunchly anti-LGBT evangelical leaders, Franklin Graham  and Samuel Rodriguez.

During the inaugural luncheon, Trump gave a shout out to former President Bill Clinton and former Sec. of State and presidential aspirant Hillary Clinton, saying he was “very honored” to have them there and had “a lot of respect” for them for showing up. Trump also, perhaps without knowing it, referenced black motorist Rodney King and the civil disturbance of that period, when he said: “We all want the same thing, we’re all good people. Whether Republican or Democrat, we’re all gonna get along.”

Meanwhile, at least 96 people were arrested in protests against Trump’s inauguration, with DC police sometimes having to use tear gas to control the unruly crowd and vandals just blocks away from the ceremonies.

WH-Dot-gov-wout-gay

“The United States of America is your country,” Trump said during his inauguration speech, while the new administration wiped reference to LGBT from the WhiteHouse.gov website.

Here is a link to LGBT content that had existed under former President Obama.

https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/lgbt

It also appears they have abolished the Office of National AIDS Policy without explanation or indication as to what will replace it.

trump2

Meanwhile, members of the California Democratic Assembly promised to be a beacon for the nation:

Related Posts

Cantonese Dim Sum Master Chef Tony Opens Hollywood Dim Sum at TCL Chinese Theatre

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

Experience Exquisite Dim Sum Creations in the Heart of Hollywood 97 years after its founding, the TCL Chinese Theatre will...

Fleurs et Sel Bakery Opens Storefront in West Adams, Welcomes Customers Three Days a Week

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

Indulge in Freshly Baked Cookies at the New West Adams Location Fleurs et Sel Bakery, known for its delectable cookies...

Easter Specials Guide: Brunch Spots, Desserts, and More in West Los Angeles

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

Discover the Best Easter Eats and Treats in LA for Your Holiday Celebration Easter is almost here, so here are...

(Video) Director Adam Wingard Talks About His Influences While Making GODZILLA X KONG: THE NEW EMPIRE

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

Director Adam Wingard Talks About His Influences While Making GODZILLA X KONG: THE NEW EMPIRE at the Beyond Fest Screening...

Judy Garland’s Teenage Bel-Air Estate Hits Market for $11.495 Million

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

“Wizard of Oz” Star’s Former Home Offers Piece of Hollywood History A Bel-Air estate commissioned by Judy Garland during her...

Attorney for Sean “Diddy” Combs Denounces Investigation as “Witch Hunt”

March 26, 2024

March 26, 2024

Legal Representative Criticizes Probe Amid Federal Sex Trafficking Inquiry An attorney representing Sean “Diddy” Combs criticized the investigation into the...

Historic Union Contract Ratified by Thousands of Hotel Workers At 34 Hotels

March 26, 2024

March 26, 2024

UNITE HERE Local 11 Negotiates Agreement Ensuring Wage Increases  Hotel workers, who spearheaded the largest hotel strike in modern U.S....

Human Rights Campaign’s Los Angeles Dinner Celebrates LGBTQ+ Advocacy and Unity

March 25, 2024

March 25, 2024

Notable Figures Gathered to Champion LGBTQ+ Rights and Combat Discrimination By Aneesha Pappy  The Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the nation’s...

California Bars and Nightclubs Must Offer Drug Testing Devices Starting July 1

March 25, 2024

March 25, 2024

New Law Mandates License Holders to Provide Drug Testing Kits to Patrons Beginning July 1, establishments with Type 48 licenses...

Opinion: West Los Angeles Needs to Care about Veteran Homelessness

March 25, 2024

March 25, 2024

By Kelly Kravchuk  Veteran homelessness is a public health concern that impacts my West Los Angeles community. As a USC...

Federal Agents Raid Property Linked to Music Mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs In Holmby Hills

March 25, 2024

March 25, 2024

Authorities Conduct Searches in Los Angeles as Part of Ongoing Sex Trafficking Probe Federal agents from the Department of Homeland...

Biden Signs Government Funding Bill with Ban on Pride Flags at Embassies

March 24, 2024

March 24, 2024

White House Vows Repeal Amid Controversy Over LGBTQ Provision President Biden signed a huge government funding package on Saturday, which...

City of Los Angeles Pays Nearly Half a Billion in Liability Claims Over Four Years

March 24, 2024

March 24, 2024

LA Controller’s Report Reveals Significant Payouts from General Fund LA City Controller Kenneth Mejia has continued to audit the City...

Infamous Beverly Hills Mansion Where Menéndez Brothers Committed Murders Sells for $17 Million

March 24, 2024

March 24, 2024

Notorious Property Closes Deal Exactly 28 Years After Conviction A mansion in Beverly Hills, California, notorious for being the site...

Former Beverly Hills Therapist Indicted for Alleged Distribution of Child Sexual Abuse Material

March 24, 2024

March 24, 2024

Suspect Faces Federal Charges Following Investigation into Online Activity A former licensed marriage and family therapist based in Beverly Hills...