Rantz: Donald Trump, delegates advanced gay rights in the GOP

Last night at the Republican National Convention, Donald Trump and the Republican delegates advanced gay rights significantly. And it was an amazing experience to watch.

“As your president, I will do everything in my power to protect our LGBTQ citizens from the violence and oppression of the hateful, foreign ideology, believe me,” Trump said.

The crowd erupted in cheers. Trump added the Q; it was not scripted. He was visibly taken aback by the reaction. So much so, he said, “And I have to say, as a Republican, it is so nice to hear you cheering for what I just said. Thank you.”

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The delegates reacted again with loud cheers.

This was a watershed moment for the Republican Party and it was advanced by a brash, over the top businessman and reality TV star. It was an amazing and emotional experience for me.

This was a crowd filled with all types of Republicans. From Tea Party members to social conservatives to moderates, from every walk of life and from every state. Nearly everyone in the crowd erupted in cheers of support for the LGBTQ community.

And it didn’t stop there.

PayPal founder Peter Thiel spoke about 45 minutes earlier. He said the transgender bathroom issue was a distraction. The crowd also cheered.

On the way out of the convention and on the delegate bus ride home, I spoke to a number of folks to gauge their reaction. A couple from South Carolina told me they supported the position (though both asked what the Q stood for). They said they don’t care what people do in the bedroom and that the government should stay out.

An older woman from Tennessee told me, “It’s about time someone said this!”

Similarly, a younger delegate from California smiled and told me, “Of course we should protect gay people.”

What does this mean? For one, it shows you that Trump is serious about widening the tent for people to join the GOP. This is a smart strategy.

But, it also helps break a stereotype pushed by too many liberals. They suggest bigotry reigns supreme in the GOP. They say this not just because they foolishly believe it but because they view as a threat anyone trying to sway voters they take for granted.

Most Republicans don’t want government in anyone’s love lives. Are there issues where religious rights butt heads with gay rights? Absolutely, but we shouldn’t pretend resistance to siding with one side over the other is a result of pure bigotry.

Are their anti-gay Republicans? Of course. There are also anti-gay Democrats. (Or conveniently pro-LGBTQ rights when they need some voter support.)

But Trump and the delegates helped cast aside the notion that Republicans hate the LGBTQ community. Say what you will about Trump, what he did is good for the party, good for the country, and good for the LGBTQ community and I couldn’t be more proud of what I witnessed from the convention on this issue.

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