President-elect Donald Trump has nominatedformer professional wrestling executive Linda McMahon to lead the Department of Education, even though he wants to eliminate the cabinet-level government office completely. She has little educational experience apart from taking some college education classes and spending one year on Connecticuts Board of Education.In addition to donating millions of dollars to Trumps campaign and chairing a political action committee supporting him, she also supports so-called school choice programs. Such programs redirect taxpayer funds from public schools to private for-profit schools that can discriminate against LGBTQ+ students and others without any government oversight. Related Marco Rubio may become the nations most anti-LGBTQ+ secretary of state ever He will signal to other countries that the U.S. tolerates and endorses anti-LGBTQ+ bigotry. 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 Linda McMahon at a glanceLocation: Greenwich, Connecticut.Party Affiliation: RepublicanRace/Ethnicity: Welsh-AmericanGender Identity: FemaleOrientation: HeterosexualPronouns: She/her/hersLGBTQ+ Ally: No Social mediaFacebook:LindaMcMahonX:@Linda_McMahonInstagram:LindaMcMahonOfficialLinkedIn:LindaMcMahonLinda McMahons stance on LGBTQ+ issues Same-sex marriageWhen running for the U.S. Senate in 2010 campaign, McMahons campaign said she supported the so-called Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) a 1996 law that forbade the federal government from recognizing same-sex marriages because she supports states rights. At the time, 29 states had banned same-sex marriage and seven had legalized it.The head of the anti-LGBTQ+ Family Institute of Connecticutendorsed McMahonin 2010 and in 2012, stating that McMahon had reached out for their endorsement and that they agreed with her support for DOMA. In 2012, she said she supports Americas law for same-sex marriage. At the time, there was neither a federal law nor congressional legislation for same-sex marriage. She later said, I have changed my position on DOMA. With now gay marriage approved in the state of Connecticut, I dont think its fair. She said her opinion has just been evolving on the issue. Trans children in sportsMcMahon helped launch and serves as chair of the board for America First Policy Institute (AFPI), a right-wing think tank that has called transgender athletes a nightmare, said that President Joe Bidens trans-inclusive Title IX rules pervert girls sports, and said that trans athletes threaten both the safety of female athletes and the integrity of womens sports. Transgender access to public bathroomsWhile McMahon doesnt seem to have made public comments about this issue, Trump has promised to repeal Bidens Title IX protections for trans students, which require schools to let trans students use bathrooms matching their gender identity, on day one of his presidency. Dont say gay/LGBTQ+ discussions in schoolsMcMahons AFPI think-tank has published numerous articles supporting so-called parents rights policies, claiming that an evergrowing movement is now infusing classrooms with race-based policies and instruction that sexualizes young children and deconstructs the nuclear family.Parents rights groups have long said that LGBTQ+-inclusive books and classroom instruction sexualize children, and they use the argument as a pretext for banning both from schools.The think-tank has also expressed support for The Parents Bill of Rights (H.R. 5), Republican legislation that would require federally funded elementary and middle schools to obtain parental consent before changing a minor childs gender markers, pronouns, or preferred name on any school form; or allowing a child to change the childs sex-based accommodations, including locker rooms or bathrooms. Gender-affirming care for trans youthMcMahons AFPI think-tank says it is fighting back against radical gender ideology. It spreads falsehoods about gender-affirming care and has applauded states for passing laws restricting gender-affirming care for trans minors. Discrimination protectionsAs education secretary, McMahon would be expected to support Trumps plan to repeal Bidens Title IX protections for trans students. These include protections against deliberate misgendering and other types of harassment and discrimination against LGBTQ+ students.Other LGBTQ+ issuesDuring McMahons 1989 to 2009 tenure as CEO of the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) and World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), she oversaw violent storylines that involved queer-acting characters being violently assaulted and insulted with homophobic and transphobic language. She has also been accused of knowingly allowinga ring announcer to repeatedly sexually assault young boys while doing nothing to stop it. McMahons careerGraduated from East Carolina University in 1969 with a bachelors degree in FrenchWorked as a receptionist at the corporate law firm ofCovington & BurlingCo-founded Titan Sports, Inc. in 1980 (which later became WWF/WWE)Appointed to the Connecticut State Board of Education in January 2009Ran unsuccessful campaigns for U.S. Senate in 2010 and 2012Appointed asadministratorof theSmall Business Administrationunder Trump in 2017. Resigned in 2019Founded the America First Policy Institute in 2021Nominated by Trump to serve as Education Secretary in 2024 ConclusionIn a statement against McMahons nomination, GLSEN wrote, Donald Trumps decision to nominate Linda McMahon, a political ally with no substantial background in education, is yet another deeply concerning move in his ongoing effort to undermine public education. McMahons lack of expertise in education, paired with Trumps focus on so-called parents rights and school choice, signals a continued push to strip critical protections for LGBTQ+ students and historically marginalized communities.Her record of anti-LGBTQ+ advocacy suggests shell continue Trumps transphobic campaign and roll back any protections for LGBTQ+ students. Related links Related Donald Trump picks wrestling impresario Linda McMahon to head Department of Education The pick is apparently not a joke. Subscribe to theLGBTQ Nation newsletterand be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.