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LGBT Advocates Are Not Here For Trump's Anti-Gay, Anti-Trans NASA Nominee

Oklahoma Rep. Jim Bridenstine is not just a bigot, he's unqualified.

Jim Bridenstine is a former Navy pilot and Republican congressman from Oklahoma. He's also President Trump's nominee to run NASA. But LGBT advocacy groups like OutServe-SLDN are already contesting his nomination, as he's made disparaging comments about the community, having referred to same-sex marriage as "contrary to millennia of human experience" and that bathroom safety for transgender people is "lawless federal bullying."

On his website, he writes: "I believe that marriage is intended to be between one man and one woman for life. ... Therefore, any law that breaks down the marriage relationship or the family structure places more responsibility on government. For this reason, promoting marriage and the family must be a top priority of lawmakers."

Jim Bridenstine

"It is rather hypocritical to have an individual so entrenched in his idea of 'traditionalism' to be nominated to lead an agency that has for almost 60 years pushed to expand our understanding and knowledge,” OutServe-SLDN Executive Director Matt Thorn told Politico. “NASA is rich in diversity. Rep. Bridenstine doesn't have that same view. The Senate should block this nomination."

President of GLAAD Sarah Kate Ellis echoed these sentiments, saying, "The Trump administration has hired unqualified anti-LGBTQ blowhards from day one and shown they are more concerned with furthering attacks on marginalized communities than selecting leaders who will better our country. NASA’s Kennedy Space Center released a LGBTQ Pride month video earlier this year featuring LGBTQ NASA employees as well as allies,” she added. “It is critical for our country’s continued success that NASA employees bring their best selves to work, and that can’t happen when the head of an organization is known first and foremost for being anti-LGBTQ.”

But perhaps most importantly: Space is gay and has no room for bigoted Bridenstine coming in and messing with the LGBT space dwellers.

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Star Trek: Beyond

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Alien

Clearly, Bridenstine's not a Star Trek fan.

Luckily, some senators (including Marco Rubio and Democrat Bill Nelson) have made it clear they oppose Bridenstine's nomination, arguing he doesn't have the right kind of experience. They worry that his nomination is politically motivated and his "lack of formal science education" would keep him from being able to do the job.

"The head of NASA ought to be a space professional, not a politician," Nelson said in a statement.

Sen. Ted Cruz, however, supports Bridenstine, saying, "I am confident that as the next NASA administrator, Jim will work hard to advance our national space policy goals, expand human space exploration and secure America's leadership in space." He also referred to Bridenstine as "a dear friend."

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