As the election season heats up, conservative LGBTQ supporters of Donald Trump are hosting “Trump UNITY” events across battleground states, aiming to rally support despite his record on queer issues. Recently, the Log Cabin Republicans organized the UNITY tour rally in Charlotte, North Carolina. Gay conservative attendees there downplayed LGBTQ rights and rather focused on economic and border security issues. Gage West, a 23-year-old rally attendee, expressed a common sentiment, saying, “I’m not voting because of marriage equality or LGBTQ rights. I’m voting because I want more money in my wallet.” Some, like 57-year-old Don Webber, believe the LGBTQ community has already achieved full equality. However, queer trump supporters are somehow forgetting Trump’s record on queer rights including banning transgender military service members, opposing the Equality Act, and appointing judges with anti-equality histories. Critics, like former Pennsylvania lawmaker Brian Sims, have condemned the UNITY events for including far-right figures who promote anti-LGBTQ rhetoric. Sims remarked to The Advocate, “The irony is sickening: they claim to be against grooming, yet they stand side-by-side with a man who’s the real threat.” Queer advocacy groups like the Human Rights Campaign view these events as attempts to gain votes without addressing the community’s needs. Brandon Wolf, HRC’s national press secretary, told NBC News, “It’s unfortunate that you have groups like the Log Cabin Republicans who are willing to sell out the community in exchange to be able to cozy up to someone like Donald Trump.” #Queer Up Politics