Photo: Office of Speaker Mike JohnsonSpeaker of the House Mike Johnson is second in line to the President of the United States and one of the most powerful politicians in the U.S. He has said his faith informs everything he does. Heres a comprehensive track record of Johnsons comments and actions related to the LGBTQ community.Subscribe nowLegal Career 2002Johnson starts working as an attorney for Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF), a Christian legal juggernaut co-founded in 1994 by Alan Sears, the co-author of The Homosexual Agenda: Exposing the Principal Threat to Religious Freedom Today. ADF is a Southern Poverty Law Center-designated anti-LGBTQ hate group that has litigated and lobbied against marriage equality and anti-LGBTQ discrimination laws, and in favor of conversion therapy.2003While working at ADF, Johnson and his team give legal advice to Exodus International, a Christian organization founded in 1976 with the explicit aim of turning gay people straight through conversion therapy. Their methods include prayer, religious counseling, chastity, gender conformity training, participation in support groups, deliverance sessions through spiritual warfare and prayer, and aversion therapy techniques. In 2013, Exodus shuts down and apologizes to the gay community, stating that they have been imprisoned [by] a worldview thats neither honoring toward our fellow human beings, nor biblical.Feb. 2003In an amicus brief, Johnson supports the criminalization of gay sex in Lawrence v Texas.Johnson says authorities have legitimate grounds to proscribe same-sex deviate intercourse, and that In closing these bedroom doors they have opened a Pandoras box.He goes on to write that Homosexuals do not meet the criteria for a suspect class under the equal protection clause because they are neither disadvantaged nor identified on the basis of immutable characteristics, as all are capable of changing their abnormal lifestyles.Screenshot via Newspapers.comUncloseted Media is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support our work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.July, 2003Johnson publishes an op-ed in one of Louisianas oldest newspapers, where he admonishes the Supreme Court for overturning Lawrence v. Texas. He argues that states have a right to control the sexual activity of consenting adults if they are the same biological sex.July, 2004In another 2004 column, Johnson writes: "Experts project that homosexual marriage is the dark harbinger of chaos and sexual anarchy that could doom even the strongest republic.2004-2012Johnson sits on the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention. The Southern Baptist Church has issued policy statements that God's plan for marriage and sexual intimacy is a lifetime relationship of one man and one woman. They reject homosexuality and say that women are not eligible to serve as pastors. Since 1992, the national convention has "disfellowshipped" various churches that support LGBTQ inclusion.Sept. 2004Johnson writes another op-ed in the Shreveport Times where he defends Louisianas decision to ban same-sex marriage, and suggests it could lead to people marrying their cats and dogs or give pedophiles the right to marry children. He adds that allowing same-sex marriage could be the downfall of the democratic system.Homosexual relationships are inherently unnatural and, the studies clearly show, are ultimately harmful and costly for everyone Society cannot give its stamp of approval to such a dangerous lifestyle. If we change marriage for this tiny, modern minority, we will have to do it for every deviant group. Polygamists, polyamorists, pedophiles, and others will be next in line to claim equal protection. They already are. There will be no legal basis to deny a bisexual the right to marry a partner of each sex, or a person to marry his pet.April, 2005 On Day of Silence, a nationwide campaign which combats anti-gay bias in schools across the U.S., Johnson says, in regard to the event, that you can call it sinful or destructive [but] ultimately its both.Johnson and ADF create a counterprotest called Day of Truth, where they distribute T-shirts emblazoned with "The Truth Cannot be Silenced" and express their refusal to support what they deem "detrimental personal and social behavior," in reference to homosexuality.The Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network criticize the counterprotest. In response, Johnson says, "No one is for bullying and harassment. But that's cloaking their real message -- that homosexuality is good for society."July, 2005In another editorial titled Sexual Orientation Move Should be Opposed, Johnson argues that the city of Shreveport, LA, should not adopt policies that would include sexual orientation and gender identity under the city's employment nondiscrimination policies.He writes, Your race, creed, and sex are what you are, while homosexuality and cross-dressing are things you do This is a free country, but we dont give special protections for every persons bizarre choices.2007Neuqua Valley High School in Naperville, Illinois, tells a student she cant wear a shirt that says "BE HAPPY, NOT GAY" after a Day of Silence supporting gay rights. The school allows her to wear a shirt opposing homosexuality but requires a less derogatory message, like "Be happy, be straight."ADF lawyers argue this violated the students free-speech rights, but a federal judge rules the school can restrict the message to promote tolerance. Johnson, as an attorney for ADF, criticizes the decision as illogical: Certainly the First Amendment has got to protect negative statements as well.2008Johnson tells a radio host that, Some credit the fall of Rome to not only the deprivation of the society and the loss of morals, but also to the rampant homosexual behavior that was condoned by the society.Feb., 2009In an Exodus International article titled Question Homosexuality, Johnson defends the Day of Truth counter protests: "Day of Truth students have the same constitutional right to express their viewpoint as any other student Unfortunately, despite using buzzwords like "tolerance" and "diversity," many schools have censored students who want to peacefully express a Christian viewpoint.July, 2013Johnson represents Louisiana in a case where a same-sex couple who legally married in California sought to have their marriage recognized by the state of Louisiana and the ability for one plaintiff to legally adopt the biological son of her partner. The couple ultimately won the case in 2015.July, 2015Johnson defends Louisianas ban on allowing same-sex couples to jointly file state income taxes and to register two parents on birth certificates.Sept., 2016 Johnson gives a statement to the Louisiana Baptist Message, a Southern Baptist newspaper, on his faith and its effect on his politics: Ive been out on the front lines of the culture war defending religious freedom, the sanctity of human life, and biblical values, including the defense of traditional marriage, and other ideals like these when theyve been under assault.Representative Mike JohnsonJan., 2017Johnson is sworn into office as a member of Congress.July, 2017In an operating agreement for Onward Christian Counseling Services LLC signed and notarized by Mike Johnson, he and his wife Kelly say:We believe, and the Bible teaches, that any form of sexual immorality, such as adultery, fornication, homosexuality, bisexual conduct, bestiality, incest, pornography or any attempt to change ones sex, or disagreement with ones biological sex, is sinful and offensive to God.Office of Representative Mike Johnson - FacebookThe Liberty WayStudent Honor Code 2024-2025 422KB PDF fileDownloadDownload2018Johnson becomes an adjunct professor at Liberty University, the worlds largest evangelical college, which asks students to sign an honor code known as The Liberty Way that prohibits any expression of LGBTQ identity. Examples of behavior that violate the honor code include:Romantic displays of affection with a member of the same sex (e.g., hand-holding, kissing, dating, etc.),Actions confirming the denial of biological birth sex (e.g., asking to be referred to by pronouns inconsistent with ones birth sex, using restrooms and changing facilities reserved for persons other than ones birth sex, etc.)Dont Say Gay Act Pdf42.6KB PDF fileDownloadDownloadSept., 2022Johnson and 32 other Republican members of Congress introduce the Stop the Sexualization of Children Actviewed by many as a national Dont Say Gay bill.Speaking on his podcast, Johnson tells his wife, [The bill] will make it unlawful to use even one penny of federal funds to develop, implement, facilitate or be a purveyor of any of these sexually oriented programs.March, 2023Johnson receives the True Blue award from Family Research Council (FRC)a Southern Poverty Law Center-designated anti-LGBTQ hate groupfor his "100% Voting Record on FRC Action's 2022 Scorecard. FRC President Tony Perkins says Johnson "courageously stood strong against dangerous, freedom-eroding laws like the Equality Act and (Dis)Respect for Marriage Act.Photo by Office of Representative Mike Johnson/FacebookMay, 2023Johnson says on his podcast that shopping at Target, which stocks Pride merchandise, is not honoring God and that they would not want to be at Target when rapture happens.He adds that, The foundations of our country are crumbling And its on vivid display now every week. And the big thing this week is the hubbub over Target stores and how theyve just gone apparently all in on this woke agenda.Later in the podcast, Johnson says that anyone who is worried about the health, the mental stability, the well-being of children would be offended by the Pride displays at Target, falsely claiming that Target partnered with Satanic companies. He adds that this is all a sign of how darkness has encroached on America. He cites statistics about the prevalence of teen suicide ideation and blames the LGBTQ+-whatever agenda.The following month, Target faces significant backlash and reported employee harassment, including bomb threats because of their Pride-themed merchandise. June 2023Again on his podcast, Johnson says: Thursday was June 1st, marked the beginning of Pride Month in the U.S. You know, and that's the LGBTQ agenda. Why is there an entire month dedicated to normalize and legalize the ideology and behavior of such a small minority while stigmatizing and criminalizing those who disagree? Why are groups who ridicule biblical morality elevated by popular culture and those who support it are denigrated?Johnson and Betsy DeVos discussing Title IX in relation to women's sports. Photo: Office of Speaker Mike Johnson - X.comJuly 2023At a July 2023 hearing on transgender youth, Johnson speaks out against allowing children to receive gender-affirming care, saying: "Our American legal system recognizes the important public interest in protecting children from abuse and physical harm. He also co-sponsors legislation that would make it a felony to provide opposite-sex hormones or gender-affirming surgeries to minors.Subscribe nowHouse Speaker Mike Johnson Oct., 2023In an interview with Jim Garlow, a former pastor who was a member of Trumps faith advisory board, Johnson says, faith in our institutions is the lowest its ever been and noted that church attendance had dropped below 50%. Johnson cites statistics about high school students sexual orientation, saying that one-quarter of high school students in 2021 identified as lesbian, gay, bisexual, questioning or other. Were losing the country, Johnson concludes.Johnson speaks to reporters about his well established record on transgender issues. Nov., 2024Taking direct aim at Sarah McBride, the first elected openly transgender member of Congress, Johnson bars transgender people from using bathrooms that align with their gender identity. He states that, For anybody who doesnt know my well-established record on this issue let me be unequivocally clear: A man is a man and a woman is a woman, and a man cannot become a woman.If objective, nonpartisan, rigorous, LGBTQ-focused journalism is important to you, please consider making a tax-deductible donation through our fiscal sponsor, Resource Impact, by clicking this button:Donate to Uncloseted Media