Jimmy Carter, the 39th President of the United States, who passed away on Sunday at the age of 100, leaves behind a legacy that includes early and unwavering support for LGBTQ+ rights.
Known for his compassion and advocacy for marginalised communities, Carter’s contributions to the LGBTQ+ movement, both during and after his presidency, set him apart as a forward-thinking leader in a time when acceptance was far from mainstream.
Carter’s stance on LGBTQ+ rights first gained attention during his 1976 presidential campaign. Speaking in San Francisco, he pledged to sign the Equality Act, a groundbreaking civil rights bill aimed at ending discrimination against gay Americans. “I don’t think it’s right to single out homosexuals for abuse or special harassment,” he stated an unusual declaration for a presidential candidate in the 1970s.
During his presidency, he took further steps toward inclusivity. In 1977, the White House hosted its first-ever meeting with prominent gay rights leaders, organised by his assistant for public liaison, Margaret “Midge” Costanza. Although Carter did not attend the meeting personally, it signalled his administration’s openness to dialogue with the LGBTQ+ community.
Despite his progressive views, Carter’s administration faced criticism for not going far enough. Activists, including Harvey Milk, urged him to take a more public stance, especially during debates over California’s Proposition 6. The measure sought to ban gay and lesbian individuals from working in public schools. After months of hesitation, Carter publicly denounced the proposition just days before it was defeated in 1978, joining figures like Ronald Reagan and Gerald Ford in opposing the measure.
The late 1970s and early 1980s were a pivotal time for LGBTQ+ activism. While Carter’s responses to some issues fell short of activists’ expectations, his willingness to engage with the community marked significant progress compared to other political leaders of his era.
After leaving office, Carter’s advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights became even more pronounced. During a 2014 event, he firmly rejected discrimination based on sexual orientation, stating, “I never knew of any word or action of Jesus Christ that discriminated against anyone.” He later expressed unequivocal support for same-sex marriage, telling HuffPost Live in 2018, “I think Jesus would approve gay marriage. I think Jesus would encourage any love affair if it was honest and sincere and was not damaging to anyone else.”
Through The Carter Center, founded with his wife Rosalynn in 1982, Carter continued championing equality alongside his broader humanitarian work.
Jimmy Carter’s advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights is a cornerstone of his legacy as a leader committed to justice and equality. His early willingness to engage with the LGBTQ+ community and his later affirmations of their rights make him a historic ally in the fight for inclusion.
As the world remembers Jimmy Carter, his contributions to LGBTQ+ rights stand as a testament to his belief in fairness and human dignity, paving the way for future progress.
