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10 Reasons Pence Is Even Scarier Than Trump

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AP Photo/Alan Diaz

Impeachment might not be the best idea if it puts Pence in the Oval Office.

It's no secret Vice Presiden-elect Mike Pence has had an absolutely horrifying track record when it comes to LGBTQ issues, but that's not the only reason to be very wary of this man, especially now that he's in a major position of power.

1. He supports electroshock conversion therapy.

On the campaign site of his 2000 run for Congress, Pence wrote, "Resources should be directed toward those institutions which provide assistance to those seeking to change their sexual behavior." He also wrote he would "ensure that federal dollars were no longer being given to organizations that celebrate and encourage the types of behaviors that facilitate the spreading of the HIV virus." In layman's terms, that means no federal money would go to any organization with a positive stance on gay sex.

2. He does not believe gay people should have the same rights as straight people, including the right to marry.

Also on his 2000 campaign site, Pence wrote: "Congress should oppose any effort to put gay and lesbian relationships on an equal legal status with heterosexual marriage." He also wrote: "Congress should oppose any effort to recognize homosexual's as a "discreet and insular minority" entitled to the protection of anti-discrimination laws similar to those extended to women and ethnic minorities." Note that there's an unnecessary apostrophe in "homosexual's"--get your shit together, Pence.

3. He wants to repeal Roe v. Wade.

Another verbatim quote from Pence's campaign site: "The unborn child has a fundamental right to life which cannot be infringed. Roe vs. Wade was legally poorly conceived and morally wrong and should be overturned." He said out loud on the Congressional record, "I long for the day that Roe v. Wade is sent to the ash heap of history."

4. He began the GOP's war on Planned Parenthood.

Pence was the first Congressman to propose a bill defunding the women's health organization in 2007. He kept pushing the legislation until it went through the House in 2011. To journalist Sarah Kliff, he said: "If Planned Parenthood wants to be involved in providing counseling services and HIV testing, they ought not be in the business of providing abortions. As long as they aspire to do that, I'll be after them."

5. He doesn't support wage equality for women and minorities.

Pence repeatedly voted against the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, which protects women and minorities from wage discrimination.

6. He recommended businesses not hire gay employees.

While Head of the Indiana Policy Review, Pence published articles urging businesses not hire gay people to work. One such article states: "Homosexuals are not as a group able-bodied. They are known to carry extremely high rates of disease brought on because of the nature of their sexual practices and the promiscuity which is a hallmark of their lifestyle."

7. He said condoms are not effective.

"Frankly, condoms are a very, very poor protection against sexually transmitted diseases," Pence told CNN in 2002. That's not even remotely true and is a very dangerous message to spread to such a wide audience.

8. He signed legislation allowing workplace discrimination based on religion.

Pence signed Indiana's Religious Freedom Restoration Act into law, which "allows businesses and individuals to discriminate against anyone who offends their religious sensibilities," The Advocatereports.

9. He would not call the KKK's leader "deplorable."

After denying that he and Trump wanted the Ku Klux Klan's support on the campaign trail, CNN's Wolf Blitzer asked, "Well, you called him a deplorable? You would call him that?" In response, Pence said, "No, I don't -- I'm not in the name-calling business, Wolf. You know me better than that."

10. He rejected Obama's transgender bathroom mandate in schools.

Following Obama's federal directive warning federal funding could be taken from schools who refused to allow students to use the bathroom corresponding to their gender identity, Pence stated, "The federal government has no business getting involved in issues of this nature."

Read more facts about Pence on his 2000 Congressional campaign site, which contains other horrifying statements.

30 Years of Out100Out / Advocate Magazine - Jonathan Groff and Wayne Brady

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