AGRICULTURE/LGBTQ/NOMINATIONS/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT: “Sam Clovis, Donald Trump’s pick to be chief scientist for the Department of Agriculture, has argued that homosexuality is a choice and that the sanctioning of same-sex marriage could lead to the legalization of pedophilia, a CNN KFile review of Clovis’ writings, radio broadcasts, and speeches has found.
Clovis made the comments between 2012 and 2014 in his capacity as a talk radio host, political activist, and briefly as a candidate for US Senate in Iowa. His nomination has drawn criticism from Senate Democrats, who argue his lack of scientific background makes him unqualified for the USDA post overseeing science.
Clovis has repeatedly argued that the science on homosexuality is unsettled and that ‘LGBT behavior’ is a choice. The American Psychological Association has said that while there is no scientific consensus on the causes of sexual orientation, ‘most people experience little or no sense of choice about their sexual orientation.’
Asked for comment on Clovis’ beliefs surrounding the science of homosexuality, a USDA spokeswoman told CNN: ‘The Supreme Court settled the issue in 2015.’ The White House did not respond to a request for comment.
KFile has previously reported on controversial comments Clovis made during his time as a talk radio host about race and then-President Barack Obama. At that time, a USDA spokesperson said that Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue still supports Clovis to be the under secretary for research, education and economics.”
-Andrew Kaczynski and Paul LeBlanc, “Trump nominee Sam Clovis: ‘As far as we know’ homosexuality’s a choice, ‘logical’ LGBT protections could lead to legalization of pedophilia,” CNN Politics, CNN.com, Aug. 21, 2017 11:59am