Homophobic / Anti-LGBTQ Actions
Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA)
- Co-sponsored legislation ostensibly aimed at protecting children online, which critics argue could be deployed to censor LGBTQ content.
- In a widely shared video, Blackburn said the bill’s purpose was to “protect minor children from the transgender in this culture,” drawing strong condemnation from LGBTQ advocates.
([turn0search0], [turn0news21], [turn0search27])
Opposed Hate Crime & Marriage Equality Efforts
- In 2009, she voted against the Matthew Shepard & James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, which extended federal protections to LGBTQ individuals.
- She has also consistently opposed same-sex marriage, supporting calls to define marriage as between a man and a woman.
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Anti-LGBTQ Platform Influence
- As a House member, Blackburn co-chaired the Republican National Platform Committee that produced one of the most anti-gay platforms in U.S. history, invoking traditional marriage and referencing LGBTQ rights as societal threats.
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Anti-Immigrant / Anti-Refugee Actions
“Preventing Violence Against Women by Illegal Aliens Act” & CONTAINER Act (Jan 2025)
- Proposed bills facilitating the deportation of undocumented individuals convicted of sexual or violent crimes, while allowing border states to erect barriers on federal land.
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Campaign Rhetoric: “Criminal Illegal Aliens” and Mass Deportation
- In October 2024, she aired a campaign ad stating, “America is under attack,” and advocating for tools to deport “criminal illegal aliens,” construct detention centers, and eliminate sanctuary cities—all described as “racist dog whistles” by critics.
([turn0search13], [turn0news23])
Anti-Diversity / Anti-DEI Policies
Dismantle DEI Act
- Co-introduced legislation aimed at eliminating federal funding for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives—particularly in the military and federal institutions.
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Targeting University DEI Programs
- Sent letters to several Tennessee universities (including Vanderbilt and University of Tennessee) demanding they dismantle or stop concealing DEI offices to comply with Trump-era directives.
([turn0search5], [turn0news26], [turn0search7])
Summary Table
| Category | Actions / Statements |
|---|---|
| Homophobic | Sponsored KOSA bill; said it would “protect minors from the transgender in this culture”; opposed hate crimes and marriage equality; shaped anti-gay GOP platform |
| Anti-Immigrant | Sponsored deportation-centric bills; campaign ads vilifying undocumented immigrants as dangerous |
| Anti-Diversity/DEI | Co-led bill collapsing DEI funding; pressured top TN universities to dismantle DEI programs |
Final Thoughts
Senator Blackburn’s record demonstrates a consistent pattern: from anti-LGBTQ legislation and rhetoric, to stances supporting aggressive immigration enforcement, and efforts to eradicate institutional DEI.
PACtUP 