Mike Pompeo Repeatedly Refuses to Say Whether He Still Thinks It's a 'Perversion' to Be Gay

When he was a Republican lawmaker from Kansas, CIA Director and current nominee for Secretary of State Mike Pompeo made it clear he wanted nothing to do with the “perversion” of LGBTQ people. Those remarks came back to haunt him at his confirmation hearing on Thursday, when he repeatedly refused to say whether his feelings have changed.

Citing Pompeo’s 2015 referencing of a sermon which said that America “endorsed perversion and called it an alternative lifestyle,” New Jersey Senator Corey Booker asked Pompeo if he still believes being gay is a “perversion.”

“Senator, when I was a politician, I had a very clear view on whether it was appropriate for two same-sex persons to marry. I stand by that view,” Pompeo began.

Booker cut in to clarify that Pompeo believes LGBTQ people should not be allowed to marry.

“Senator, I continue to hold that view,” Pompeo responded. “It’s the same view –”

Booker went on to say he’s met married gay couples in the State Department. Pompeo insisted that there are also married same-sex couples at the CIA and he treated them “with the exact same set of rights.”

The senator twice more pressed Pompeo to answer directly on whether he thinks gay sex is a “perversion.” Pompeo punted yet again, saying only that he respects “every individual, regardless of their sexual orientation.”

So the man who may become America’s top diplomat might be disgusted by your “alternative” lifestyle, but he’ll absolutely still respect you in the workplace.