POLITICS
On Social-Distancing Holiday, Trump Cozy with Bigots
President panders to infl uential anti-LGBTQ Christian radicals with election looming
BY MATT TRACY
At the height of an unprecedented
coronavirus
crisis and roughly
seven months before he
faces re-election, President Donald
Trump spent the Easter holiday
weekend deepening his connection
with anti-LGBTQ religious leaders.
The president pivoted to the
Christian right at a time when
Americans were forced to stray
from their annual traditions surrounding
the coinciding mid-April
holidays of Passover and Holy
Week/ Easter. Many folks observed
the holidays virtually or in
socially-distant settings, such as
drive-through movie theaters that
were transformed into makeshift
churches. Some pastors, however,
defi ed the social distancing directives
imposed across the nation
President Donald Trump and homophobic Pastor Robert Jeffress, seen here at the Celebrate Freedom
rally on July 1, 2017, have remained allies throughout Trump’s administration.
and held Easter services in their
congregations’ traditional homes.
Homophobic Bishop Harry Jackson,
a Pentecostal senior pastor
REUTERS/ YURI GRIPAS
at the Hope Christian Church in
Maryland and the presiding bishop
of the International Communion of
Evangelical Churches, delivered a
Good Friday blessing alongside the
president and Vice President Mike
Pence at the White House on April
10. Trump also said he was spending
his Easter Sunday watching
video streaming of the services led
by Pastor Robert Jeffress, who is
on his Evangelical Advisory Board
and also has a history of homophobia.
Both Jackson and Jeffress
also share other mutual conservative
beliefs, including opposition to
abortion rights.
Jackson, who once proudly
called for Christians to “steal back
the rainbow” and said the LGBTQ
community has a “radical homosexual
agenda,” was welcomed by
the president into the Oval Offi ce.
In a clear sign of solidarity between
the conservative religious leader
and the administration, Trump
called Jackson a “highly respected
➤ TRUMP & HIS BIGOTS, continued on p.4
STAY HOME TO STOP THE SPREAD OF CORONAVIRUS
New Yorkers working together and staying home can slow the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19)
in New York City. When you go out for essential needs, work or to get fresh air, keep distance
between yourself and others and take the following precautions.
PROTECT YOURSELF
AND OTHERS
• Keep at least 6 feet between
yourself and others.
• Wash your hands with soap
and water often.
• Cover your nose and mouth
with a tissue or sleeve when
sneezing or coughing.
• Do not touch your face with
unwashed hands.
• Monitor your health more
closely than usual for cold or
flu symptoms.
NEW YORKERS:
IF YOU ARE SICK
• Stay home.
• If you have a cough,
shortness of breath, fever,
sore throat and do not feel
better after 3-4 days,
consult with your doctor.
• If you need help getting
medical care, call 311.
• NYC will provide care
regardless of immigration
status or ability to pay.
• Stay home if you have
lung disease, heart disease,
diabetes, cancer or a
weakened immune system.
• Stay home and call, video
chat or text with family or
friends who have one of
these conditions.
Text COVID to 692-692 for real-time updates or visit nyc.gov/coronavirus.
Call 311 to report harassment or discrimination. Call 888-NYC-WELL, text "WELL" to 65173
or chat online at nyc.gov/nycwell to connect with a counselor.
*Messages and data rates may apply. Check your wireless provider plan for details.
• Stay home.
• Telecommute if possible.
If you do go out:
• Stagger work hours away
from peak travel times.
• Walk or bike.
• Do not gather in crowds.
Bill de Blasio
Mayor
Oxiris Barbot, MD
Commissioner
REDUCE
OVERCROWDING
PROTECT THE
MOST VULNERABLE
April 23 - May 6,2 2020 | GayCityNews.com
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