Anti-LGBT Rep. Mike Johnson Elected Speaker.
October 26, 2023
Glen Turpening
In the wake of an unprecedented three-week void without a House speaker, Republicans on Wednesday elected Louisiana Rep. Mike Johnson. While he is recognized within some Washington circles for his deeply conservative stances, Johnson, who was most recently the House GOP conference's vice chair, remains relatively obscure beyond the Capitol.
But prior to joining Congress in 2017, he spent years building his career and profile by denouncing gay people and fighting against gay rights, which he staunchly opposes, citing his Christian faith and views on liberty.
An ABC News examination of public records, news reports and documents shows the extent to which Johnson dedicated earlier phases of his career to limiting gay rights, including same-sex marriage and health care access, and through anti-gay activism on college campuses.
In comments from over fifteen years ago, long before he became a lawmaker and while acting as an attorney and spokesman for the Alliance Defense Fund (ADF), a Christian advocacy group, Johnson described homosexuals as "sinful" and "destructive" and argued support for homosexuality could lead to support for pedophilia. He also authored op-eds that argued for criminalizing gay sex.
ByWill Steakin, writing for ABC News
The House finally landed on their man and elected a leader after weeks of tumult that left the chamber in paralysis. The hard right won out and found someone who tried to overturn the 2020 election to lead them in the House of Representatives. The Maga world of course approved the selection because Rep. Johnson is a strong ‘Big Lie’ adherent which is the ultimate litmus test. Anything shy of full election denial is a non starter.