Donald Trump's Big Gay Problem (MotherJones) 
Will the real estate magnate's past support for civil unions and domestic partner benefits derail his presidential bid?
Donald Trump, the billionaire New York real estate magnate and presidential aspirant, is on a quest to court the hard-line social conservatives of the Republican Party. Recently, he has repeatedly questioned President Barack Obama's citizenship, and has demanded to see Obama's birth certificate. Interviewed by the Today show last week, he said he considers himself a tea partier. And after decades of supporting abortion rights, he has pronounced himself pro-life.
But Trump's political makeover doesn't end there. He has also changed his once-moderate stance on gay rights—a reversal that could spell trouble with the conservative base. Last month, Trump told the Des Moines Register that he opposes giving gay couples the same benefits as married ones, a position that's in stark contrast to his past support for gay rights on everything from domestic partner benefits and civil unions to gays serving openly in the military. Asked about his position legalizing on gay marriage and giving "civil benefits" to gay couples, he replied, "No and no." (A Trump spokesman did not respond to a request for comment.)
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Complete article at Mother Jones : http://bit.ly/dQPWWT
