Somebody, quick: check on Gavin Newsom. He’s been on fire on social media for a straight 24 hours, railing against Donald Trump, his campaign promises, his party’s platform, his choice of running mate, and even the music that accompanied the presumptive GOP nominee’s grand entrance on the first night of the Republican National Convention in Cleveland.
Check it out here, as California’s lieutenant governor — a straight, married longtime LGBTQ ally — pitches a justified fit that of all the songs the campaign could have selected, they chose an anthem by an out gay man who died of AIDS, against the expressed wishes of the band, Queen:
And Tuesday afternoon, Newsom retweeted Queen’s polite demand to cease and desist:
Queen to Trump & GOP Convention: Stop Using Our Song https://t.co/ipUUN8AzMw
— Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) July 19, 2016
But that is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to Newsom’s attacks on Trump and the convention at large. Here’s a sampling, beginning with his response to the delegates approving the most anti-LGBT platform in GOP history:
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It's official: most anti-gay platform in 162 years has been adopted by RNC/GOP.
— Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) July 18, 2016
Newsom first made headlines in the fight for marriage equality 12 years ago, when as mayor of San Francisco, he ordered clerks at city hall to issue marriage licenses to gay couples.
GOP will say "We have nothing against LGBT comm." Yeah, you just don't want them to get married, adopt children, not get fired,be happy etc.
— Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) July 18, 2016
Newsom then turned his ire to Trump, reminding him of the tragic events of June 12:
I didn't believe you would protect anyone but yourself, but remember when you made Orlando tragedy all about you? https://t.co/7ZOZzx8GSo
— Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) July 18, 2016
What have you done since Orlando? Have you even tried to fake something? Send some ties, steaks or water? https://t.co/7ZOZzwR60Q
— Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) July 18, 2016
You didn't do anything, because you never do anything. You used the death of 49 people to attack your opponent. https://t.co/7ZOZzx8GSo
— Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) July 18, 2016
You used a tragedy to lie and make promises you weren't going to keep. So how have you protected LGBT ppl since? https://t.co/7ZOZzx8GSo
— Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) July 18, 2016
Reminder: 2 days after over 100 people were shot in cold blood, you used their safety to attack your opponent. https://t.co/7ZOZzx8GSo
— Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) July 18, 2016
You tried to make islam/terrorism the threat to LGBT community instead of what is really a threat. You, Your VP, GOP https://t.co/7ZOZzx8GSo
— Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) July 18, 2016
And speaking of Trump’s running mate, Newsom had some choice words about Mike Pence to share:
You picked as your VP a man who has dedicated his life to figuring out ways to discriminate against the community https://t.co/7ZOZzx8GSo
— Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) July 18, 2016
You picked a man who wanted to take money from hiv/aids programs and give it to conversion therapy. Torture. Abuse. https://t.co/7ZOZzx8GSo
— Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) July 18, 2016
He also reamed Trump about how the first out lesbian on the GOP platform committee was silenced when she attempted to squeeze into the platform an acknowledgement that LGBTQ people exist. And the plank that endorsed “ex-gay” conversion therapy sent Newsom into a boil:
This is your protection? You're sick. Your party just spit in the face of every single kid who is sad and confused https://t.co/7ZOZzx8GSo
— Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) July 18, 2016
Conversion therapy is so bad that the American Med Association, American Psych association say its dangerous https://t.co/7ZOZzx8GSo
— Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) July 18, 2016
5 states and DC have banned conversion therapy. And all Supreme Court challenges to laws upheld. https://t.co/7ZOZzx8GSo
— Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) July 18, 2016
And this afternoon, Newsom — who has already announced he is running for governor of California in 2018 — tweeted this easy to understand guide to the GOP on LGBT issues. Not too shabby for a straight dude.
GOP Plan On LGBT Americans
1.Deny they exist
2.When that no longer works, deny them their rights
3.Conversion Therapy: make them disappear— Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) July 19, 2016