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Topics: US News, Republicans, LGBTQ
Cameron Frew
A Republican congressional candidate has claimed that civil rights don't apply to gay people.
This comes amid the controversy surrounding Florida's 'Don’t Say Gay' bill restricting teachers on discussing sexual orientation and gender identity with younger students.
Vernon Jones, a candidate in Georgia who described himself as a 'Black Donald Trump' and has the support of the former POTUS, has argued that civil rights for Black people don't actually apply to gay people.
During a recent appearance on Steve Bannon's 'War Room' podcast, Jones said: "Let me tell you, civil rights for Blacks and gay rights for gays are two different things.
"I don't know what you are unless you tell me what you are if you're gay, but when I walk into that room, you can tell that I'm Black.
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"I'm Black from cradle to grave. Let's not get that confused, but they can actually change."
Jones claimed people can 'go from being straight to being gay to being transgender and all these other genders... but when you're Black, I don't have a choice. When did gays come over here on ships?'
Jones doubled down on Twitter, writing: "The Left wants to compare being Black to being gay. And let me make one thing clear: that’s not just a lie.
"It’s a damn lie. MLK didn’t fight for the right to read to children dressed up as a woman; he fought for REAL equality! Don’t confuse it!"
Also in reference to the 'Don't Say Gay' bill, Jones tweeted: "I’m not sending my children to school to learn how to be gay. I’m sending my children to LEARN. Period."
According to Jones, "white liberals have hijacked and they're using Black faces to carry out their Liberal agenda."
Much criticism has been raised against Jones' claims, with one user writing: "MLK worked closely with Bayard Rustin, an openly gay man, while Coretta Scott King was a gay ally. So I find Vernon Jones’ claims to be false, and also hubristic. How dare he claim to speak for Dr. King? #GOPLiesAboutEverything"
Another tweeted: "I can't choose to be gay, because I am not. Gay people can't choose to be straight for the same reason."
A third wrote: "So Vernon Jones chose to be straight? Please share with us that momentous event Vernon Jones."
A fourth tweeted: "Why does he have to separate human rights into categories? We are all humans and we all deserve EQUAL rights."
If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence, contact the LGBT Foundation on 0345 3 30 30 30, 10am–6pm Monday to Friday, or email [email protected]