For his entire political career, former Vice President Mike Pence has opposed equal rights for LGBTQ Americans across the country.
Though Pence has repeatedly railed against same-sex marriage, HIV/AIDS outreach, and other programs affecting the LGBTQ community, he took a markedly different tone while speaking on the issue to college students at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville this past Tuesday.
When asked what he would do if his child were to come out as gay, Pence responded:
“I’d look him in the eye and say I love you. But let me say on this issue, if we got to know each other, you’d know the Pences love everybody,. We treat everybody the way we want to be treated."
But The Viewco-host Sunny Hostin isn't buying it. In a segment discussing the comments Hostin listed the many times Pence opposed LGBTQ rights throughout his career. Also on the panel? Former Pence press secretary Alyssa Farah.
Watch below.
PENCE TARGETS CANCEL CULTURE IN SPEECH: Former Vice Pres. Mike Pence made a speech at the University of Virginia discussing “how to save America from the woke left” saying cancel culture is freedom – #TheView co-hosts and guest co-hosts @Alyssafarah Griffin and @JuliaHaart react. pic.twitter.com/cVwPlnFwMU
— The View (@TheView) April 13, 2022
Though Farah defended Pence, who said that Pence "might be coming around a little bit" on LGBTQ issues, Hostin said:
“I think he's lying on that tape, and I think that words are meaningless when your actions say differently. ... In 2000, [Pence] said during his congressional campaign that Congress should oppose any effort to put gay and lesbian relationships on an equal legal status with heterosexual marriage. Let me continue. In 2004, Mike Pence co-sponsored a proposed amendment to the US Constitution that would define marriage as solely between one man and one woman. In 2007, he voted against the employment non-discrimination act. In 2010, he voted against the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell repeal. In 2015, he signed the Religious Freedom Restoration Act … .”
At that point, Behar cut Hostin off, but the conversation continued on social media.
We'll need to see a lot more evidence to think Mike Pence has “come around” on LGBTQ acceptance @Alyssafarah. @glaad has receipts to refresh your memory. Thank you @sunny for reminding everyone about Pence's abhorrent record on LGBTQ issues. https://t.co/mlTqd4lMtw
— Sarah Kate Ellis (@sarahkateellis) April 13, 2022
Yes she did!!! 👏👏👏👏👏 https://t.co/ZCrRw1qbcb
— Diane H 🌻 🌊😷💉🇺🇸❤🐶🐶❤📚❤ (@doggiemomx3) April 13, 2022
Spot on. Pence is trying to pull a Youngkin. He's trying to look and talk more moderate when he is anti-gay rights. https://t.co/oH7Sx5FMif
— Virginia Blue (@Elizabe03333402) April 13, 2022
Love @sunny on @TheView/#TheView. Best thing about the show. She speaks the truth. Pence has always been rabidly anti-LGBTQ. He's not a good guy. https://t.co/qtKkphndb5
— Race Bannon 🇺🇦 🏳️🌈 🌊 ✏ (@BannonRace) April 13, 2022
Sunny, nips it in the bud! 💯🎯 https://t.co/fY4bpEmydF
— 🇵🇷EVE🇵🇷 (@TAINA525) April 13, 2022
Right on 👍 https://t.co/YCAw9yfCti
— Denise ✌❤🖖 (@DMoonchild) April 13, 2022
She wasn't the only one to slam Pence's answer.
At a Q&A Mike Pence said that if one of his kids came out as gay he would say "I love you" because "the Pences love everybody." Then he said marriage was only "between a man and a woman." So Mike would love his gay child, with an asterisk pic.twitter.com/rGz17VPUiH
— Paul Rudnick (@PaulRudnickNY) April 13, 2022
Mike Pence reveals what he would say if his child came out as gay https://t.co/e1ZtXHMIGI pic.twitter.com/9dbdKBna7i
— bobochan88 (@88bobochan) April 14, 2022
After reading this, you feel that Pence only wants to achieve success as a right wing personality, not a loving and sensible person. https://t.co/ACyIcWWvsH pic.twitter.com/lpx3DZAhKw
— Chris Didato (@chrisdidato) April 13, 2022
Some speculate Pence is mulling a 2024 presidential run.
