OhioRepublican U.S. Sen. JD Vance’s journey from a troubled childhood in Appalachia to the halls of the U.S. Senate to being former
PresidentDonald Trump’s running mate has been the subject of much ink,
yet his contradictory stance onLGBTQ+ rights is coming under
scrutiny.Vance’s memoir, Hillbilly Elegy, contains a revealing anecdote
about his childhood belief that he was gay. Influenced by a preacher’s condemnation of homosexuality, young Vance feared he was destined for
hell simply because he disliked girls and cherished his friendship with
another boy.
Vance’s grandmother, whom he referred lovingly to as “mamaw” during his acceptance speech at the Republican National Convention last Wednesday,
was a central figure in his upbringing. She swiftly dispelled his fears
with a blunt question and an assurance of divine love, regardless of his
sexual orientation. This experience, which might have instilled a sense
of empathy and understanding, starkly contrasts with Vance’s political actions. As a senator, Vance has positioned himself as a staunch
opponent ofLGBTQ+ rights, focusing particularly on
restrictingtransgender rights.
Vance’s opposition to affirming one’s identity is complicated by his decision to change his name, not once, but twice. He was born James
Donald Bowman and took the surname Hamel from his stepfather before
finally choosing the name Vance to honor his grandmother, The New York Timesreports. Critics argue that Vance’s childhood experience should
have fostered empathy and understanding toward the LGBTQ+ community.
Instead, he has used his platform to undermine their rights, leading to accusations of hypocrisy.
Vance has made other significant changes to his identity throughout his
life, including his religious beliefs. Raised by blue-dog Democrats, he embraced conservative values, though he was a never-Trump Republican
until he joined the U.S. Senate in 2022, and hw recently became a vocal supporter of Trump. His journey from a skeptical observer to a key
player in Trump’s political circle highlights his adaptability and willingness to shift his identity for political gain, the Times notes.
https://www.advocate.com/election/jd-vance-gay-name-change#:~:text=He%20was%20born%20James%20Donald,The%20New%20York%20Timesreports.
Adaptability? Willingness to shift identity? "Mamaw"? From Bowman to
Hamel to "Vance". Hmm.
If I was Twumpus, I'd watch my back.
--
"And off they went, from here to there,
The bear, the bear, and the maiden fair"
-- Traditional
--- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
* Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)