Republicans using terrorism to win LGBT voters

Speakers have been tailoring their message to groups Republicans don't traditionally do well with, including LGBT voters - by using the fear of terrorism.

Newt Gingrich

Newt Gingrich addressing the RNC. Source: SBS

In his speech on day three of the convention, high-profile Republican Newt Gingrich made the case that the West was at war with radical Islamic terrorism, that the threat was real, and that Hillary Clinton didn't understand what was at stake. 

"If our enemies had their way, not a single woman in this room could define her future," the former Speaker of the House said. 

"If our enemies had their way, gays, lesbians and transgender citizens would be put to death as they are today in the Islamic State and Iran."
When Mr Gingrich held office, he was noted for conservative stances on social issues such as opposing abortion and same-sex marriage. 

But his convention message resonated with the party faithful in the room. 

"There's a good reason why I support Donald Trump and that's that he's going to take the fight to radical Islamic terrorism," 19-year-old Georgian Alternate Delegate Avery Anderson said.

"They're the exact same people who throw gay men off buildings and enslave women," the young gay Republican said.

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Published 22 July 2016 12:50pm
Updated 22 July 2016 1:09pm
By Ben Winsor


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