House Speaker Mike Johnson, despite claiming his Christian faith precludes him from hate, has a history of expressing homophobic views. He recently supported Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas’s call to reconsider landmark rulings on LGBTQ+ rights, reflecting his longstanding opposition to these issues.
Johnson’s Support for Revisiting Key Decisions
In a 2022 audio recording, Johnson backed Clarence Thomas’s suggestion to revisit Obergefell v. Hodges, the case that legalized same-sex marriage in the US. Thomas’s argument followed the court’s decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, which overturned Roe v. Wade, ending the constitutional right to abortion. Johnson praised the shift towards “originalist” interpretations of the Constitution by the Supreme Court.
Historical Context of Thomas’s Suggestion
Justice Thomas, in his footnote to the 2022 decision, implied that by undermining Roe v. Wade, the court also cast doubt on other decisions using similar legal reasoning. He specifically mentioned Griswold v. Connecticut (right to contraception), Lawrence v. Texas (legalizing same-sex sexual activity), and Obergefell v. Hodges.
Johnson’s Background with Alliance Defending Freedom
Before his election to public office, Johnson worked as a senior attorney for the anti-LGBTQ+ group Alliance Defending Freedom. During this time, he actively campaigned against same-sex marriage, adoption, and marital benefits, highlighting his longstanding opposition to LGBTQ+ rights.
Johnson’s Remarks on American Culture and LGBTQ+ Community
Johnson has publicly blamed the LGBTQ+ community for what he perceives as the moral decline of American culture. In a discussion with the World Prayer Network, he attributed America’s “dark and depraved” culture to young people identifying as LGBTQ+, even going so far as to link queer people to the fall of the Roman Empire.
The Implications of Johnson’s Views
Mike Johnson’s views and actions underscore a broader political and social debate surrounding LGBTQ+ rights in the US. His support for revisiting key Supreme Court decisions poses a significant threat to the hard-won rights and protections of the LGBTQ+ community. His stance, rooted in a conservative interpretation of constitutional law, reflects ongoing challenges in achieving and maintaining equality for LGBTQ+ individuals in the face of political opposition.