They’re here, they’re gay, and they’re not invited.
LGBT conservatives who admire Trump say they are pursuing their own path after finding themselves alienated by an increasingly left-leaning gay rights movement.
Mark Dorman, a former teacher from Hell’s Kitchen, said he was effectively blacklisted after making positive comments about the former president at a local gay bar, Atlas Social Club, last summer.
Atlas Social Club did not respond to The Washington Post’s request for comment.
“I’m pretty much anti-gay,” Dorman, 64, told The Post, not hiding his frustration. “It’s embarrassing to see this kind of behavior… I would encourage them to go to Iran or Gaza. See what it does to you. See how quickly they can put you in jail or kill you.”
“It’s almost like a Soviet Marxist environment right now,” he said. “The gay community feels that the far right of the Republican Party has anti-gay views. Of course, they have certain religious beliefs. They have a right to say they don’t like that lifestyle.”
Dorman said the signs were clear several years ago, when her husband tried to force her out because of his political stance.
“When Trump won, my husband was furious and tried to throw me out of our apartment. His anger was inexplicable. Real anger. I couldn’t understand this emotion in him and why he would destroy or nearly destroy our marriage over a political vote,” she said.
The marriage lasted … “But we don’t talk about politics,” Dorman said.
Two brave friends, Anthony Troubet and John McGuigan, showed up to New York City’s chaotic Pride Parade on June 30 carrying rainbow Trump flags, but they said they were met with glares and jeers from protesters, including one who gave them the middle finger.
“There was definitely a lot of hate,” said Troubet, 45. “A lot of wealthy white women with kids who want to come up to you and confront you.”
“I was at the beach the other day and got booed off because a guy kicked sand at me. It was in Leith Park,” he added.
While the community has always leaned liberal, the movement has become increasingly accepting of causes unrelated to gay rights, further alienating conservatives. The rainbow flag, which has been a symbol of gay rights for decades, is being replaced by the “progress flag,” which adds a new mishmash of colors to pay tribute to the movement.
“It’s an aesthetic and design monstrosity that no gay man should be allowed to own. It’s an insult to our sexual orientation,” said longtime gay culture critic and current Popular Substack He said about the new banner:
