President-electDonald Trumphas named Sen.Marco Rubio(R-FL) as his choice for secretary of state, even though the two once traded barbs as political rivals during the 2016 Republican presidential primary. While Rubio has primarily served as a legislator for his home state of Florida, he has unwaveringly maintained anti-LGBTQ+ policy stances throughout his political career. Related Marco Rubio is outraged that transsexual people might get jobs at preschools Sen. Marco Rubio wants the Pope to talk Joe Biden out of putting transsexual teachers in preschools. Marco Rubio at a glance Insights for the LGBTQ+ community Subscribe to our briefing for insights into how politics impacts the LGBTQ+ community and more. Subscribe to our Newsletter today Location: Miami, FloridaParty Affiliation: RepublicanRace/Ethnicity: Cuban-AmericanGender Identity: MaleOrientation: HeterosexualPronouns: Him/him/hisLGBTQ+ Ally: No Social MediaFacebook:Marco RubioX:@MarcoRubioInstagram:MarcoRubioYouTube:MarcoRubioWebsite:MarcoRubio.comMarco Rubios stance on LGBTQ+ issues Same-sex marriageRubio has long opposed same-sex marriage, saying back in 2015 that the Supreme Courts decision legalizing marriage equality was an example of the government compelling people to sin. He has said it is the duty of Christians to oppose the ruling.He has also said he doesnt believe that the U.S. Constitution gives the federal government the right to regulate marriage, the laws of which have traditionally been determined by states. There is no way that you can read that Constitution and deduce from it that there is a constitutional right to an abortion, or a constitutional right to marry someone of the same sex, Rubio said.InJuly 2022, Rubio said marriage equality is not a real issue (despite U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas saying that marriage equality should be overturned). Hevoted against the Respect for Marriage Act, a law requiring states and the federal government to recognize same-sex marriages. He reportedly called the law a stupid waste of time.Marco Rubio told me that he is a NO on Houses same-sex marriage bill, calling it a stupid waste of time Manu Raju (@mkraju) July 20, 2022 Trans children in sportsRubio supports the so-called Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act of 2023, a law that would require schools, colleges, and universities athletics programs to determine a participants sex based solely on a persons reproductive biology and genetics at birth.In January 2024, Rubio sent a letter to USA Boxing for allowing biological men to fight biological women, a reference to the organizations policy of allowing trans women to compete with cisgender women. He dishonestly stated that sports organizations trans inclusive policies compel athletes who identify as trans to undergo dangerous and irreversible surgery that sterilizes them for life.During his 2022 re-election campaign, he ran transphobic ads accusing his opponent Rep. Val Demings (D-FL) of voting to allow transgender youth sports. His claim was based on Demings support of the Equality Act, legislation that would add sexual orientation and gender identity to pre-existing federal civil rights laws. The act would enshrine the rights of trans people to participate in school sports. Transgender access to public bathroomsWhen asked by the Catholic News Service whether biological males should be permitted to use the womens room in federal facilities and parks around the country, Rubio responded, No, I think mens bathrooms are for men and womens bathrooms are for women.He has also criticized the administration of President Joe Biden for requiring federal contractors to allow trans employees to use bathrooms matching their gender identity. What Americans are focused on: high prices, mass migration, and anti-American chaos on college campuses.What the Biden Administration is focused on https://t.co/DmMltrUN8W Senator Marco Rubio (@SenMarcoRubio) April 30, 2024Dont say gay/LGBTQ+ discussions in schoolsRubio has defended Floridas Dont Say Gay law which prohibits the teaching of LGBTQ+ issues in public schools. We dont send kids to school so the schools can raise our kids, Rubio said. We send them so they can teach them; raising kids are the job of parents and families, not schools. And so thats what that bill does. Gender-affirming care for trans youthRubio opposes gender-affirming care for all transgender individuals regardless of age. Towards this end, he supported theProtecting Conscience in Healthcare Actto prohibit federal or state government agencies and covered entities, such as hospitals and health clinics, from requiring employees to recognize the existence of trans people or assist in the provision of gender-affirming care.It is deeply disturbing to see the progressive left infiltrate the American healthcare system and compromise the quality of patient care in the process, Rubio wrote in September 2023.Additionally, he has called gender-affirming care harmful to children and claimed that it undermines the legitimate role parents must play in the health of their children. It is irresponsible and malicious to recommend these procedures to young people, Rubio wrote in March 2023. Discrimination protectionsRubio opposes the Equality Act, legislation that would enshrine LGBTQ+ anti-discrimination protections into federal law. He also opposed President Barack Obamas Executive Order 13672, which prohibited anti-LGBTQ+ workplace discrimination among companies doing business with the federal government. Rubio said the order required organizations to violate the tenetsof their faith, by requiring them to treat queer employees fairly and with respect.There are many government contractors and small companies who provide services to the government who are faith-based people, and they are, they are being compelled to sin by government in their business conduct, Rubio said. That is not something we should be supporting. Same-sex adoptionRubio supported Floridas now-defunct ban on same-sex couples adopting.Some of these kids are the most disadvantaged in the state, Rubio said a 2006articlein theTallahassee Democrat. They shouldnt be forced to be part of a social experiment. The states ban was overturned in 2010. Other LGBTQ+ issuesIn February 2023, Rubio and Sen. Jim Banks (R-IN) introduced a bill to ban transgender people from serving openly in the U.S. military.He also got a U.S. Air Force base to cancel a Drag Queen Story Hour event that was scheduled for the bases library in honor of Pride Month.Rubio has spoken at least twice to groups that support so-called conversion therapy, attempts to change peoples sexual orientation or gender identity. Rubios careerIn 1993, graduated with Bachelors of Artsdegree inpolitical sciencefrom theUniversity of FloridaIn 1996, graduated with aJuris Doctor from theUniversity of Miami School of LawDuring law school, Interned for U.S. Rep.Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL)Worked onRepublicansenatorBob Doles 1996 presidential campaignIn 1999, won election to Floridas House of Representatives. Served until 2008.Became first Cuban-Americanto bespeaker of the Florida House of Representatives from 2005 to 2008 Elected to U.S. Senate in 2010. Re-elected in 2016 and 2022. Nominated by President-elect Donald Trump to serve as Secretary of State. Rubios anti-LGBTQ+ policies may soon affect the worldIf Rubio gets confirmed by the Senate as Trumps Secretary of State, he will wield tremendous power by essentially signaling to other countries that the U.S. will tolerate anti-LGBTQ+ civil rights violations. This will endanger queer people and their allies and empower far-right and authoritarian political forces that may also work in the long-term against U.S. interests.Related links: Related Clueless Marco Rubio is outraged that LA Dodgers honored drag nuns The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence are getting an award after decades of charity work, and Marco doesnt understand why. Marco Rubio goes on bizarre rant about pregnant men on Senate floor He said marriage equality is a stupid waste of time several weeks before coming up with his own. Marco Rubio once told Christians to be more tolerant. Now hes invoking Sodom and Gomorrah. Rubio never really believed his own message of tolerance, but hes gleefully abandoned any vestige of it in defending Floridas Dont Say Gay measure. Subscribe to theLGBTQ Nation newsletterand be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.