Donald Trump-endorsed Georgia congressional candidate, Vernon Jones said civil rights do not apply to the gay community because gay people “can actually change” to become straight, HuffPost reported.
“Let me tell you, civil rights for Blacks and gay rights for gays are two different things,” Jones said during an appearance on Steve Bannon’s “War Room” podcast.
“I don’t know what you are unless you tell me what you are if you’re gay. When I walk into that room, you can tell that I’m Black. I’m Black from cradle to grave,” Jones said. “Let’s not get that confused.”
According to Jones, people choose to be gay and they can simply change to become straight.
“They can actually change. You know you can go from being straight to being gay to being transgender and all these other genders. When you’re Black, I don’t have a choice.” He added, “When did gays come over here on slave ships?”
Jones doubled down on this comment on Twitter, saying comparing being Black to being gay is a “damn lie.”
Jones’ comment comes as GOP led states across the country are passing legislation targeting the rights of LGBTQ children and their families.
Jones pledged his loyalty to Trump while serving as a Democrat in Georgia’s House of Representatives in 2020. Later that year he was a keynote speaker at the Republican National Convention.
Jones is running to represent Georgia’s 10th congressional district in the US Congress.
