During his very brief stint as a Marine paper pusher, Vance learned about
being a bottom in a homosexual relationship.

How JD Vance went from thinking he was gay and changing his name twice
to being an anti-LGBTQ+ extremist
JD Vance RNC 2024 speech
Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

Donald Trump�s vice-presidential pick has reinvented himself repeatedly.
Christopher Wiggins
July 23 2024 5:54 PM EST

OhioRepublican U.S. Sen. JD Vance�s journey from a troubled childhood in
Appalachia to the halls of the U.S. Senate to being former President
Donald Trump�s running mate has been the subject of much ink, yet his
contradictory stance onLGBTQ+ rights is coming under scrutiny.Vance�s
memoir, Hillbilly Elegy, contains a revealing anecdote about his
childhood belief that he was gay. Influenced by a preacher�s condemnation
of homosexuality, young Vance feared he was destined for hell simply
because he disliked girls and cherished his friendship with another boy.

Vance�s grandmother, whom he referred lovingly to as �mamaw� during his
acceptance speech at the Republican National Convention last Wednesday,
was a central figure in his upbringing. She swiftly dispelled his fears
with a blunt question and an assurance of divine love, regardless of his
sexual orientation. This experience, which might have instilled a sense
of empathy and understanding, starkly contrasts with Vance�s political
actions. As a senator, Vance has positioned himself as a staunch opponent
of LGBTQ+ rights, focusing particularly on restricting transgender
rights.

Vance�s opposition to affirming one�s identity is complicated by his
decision to change his name, not once, but twice. He was born James
Donald Bowman and took the surname Hamel from his stepfather before
finally choosing the name Vance to honor his grandmother, The New York
Times reports. Critics argue that Vance�s childhood experience should
have fostered empathy and understanding toward the LGBTQ+ community.
Instead, he has used his platform to undermine their rights, leading to
accusations of hypocrisy.

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Vance�s legislative actions have also drawn significant criticism. He
introduced a bill to criminalize gender-affirming care for minors,
arguing that such medical interventions are harmful and should be banned.
He has also decried the inclusion of a third gender option on passports,
branding it as a waste of taxpayer money. �There are only two genders �
passports issued by the United States government should recognize that
simple fact,� Vance wrote on his congressional website while pushing his
bill, the Passport Sanity Act.

Vance has made other significant changes to his identity throughout his
life, including his religious beliefs. Raised by blue-dog Democrats, he
embraced conservative values, though he was a never-Trump Republican
until he joined the U.S. Senate in 2022. He recently became a vocal
supporter of Trump. The Times notes that his journey from a skeptical
observer to a key player in Trump�s political circle highlights his
adaptability and willingness to shift his identity for political gain.

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Vance�s narrative, as detailed in Hillbilly Elegy, is one of struggle and
transformation. He has spoken openly about his troubled childhood,
experiences with various father figures, and his journey through the
military and Yale Law School. These experiences have shaped his political
views, revealing a man who has constantly reinvented himself. This makes
his rigid stance on transgender rights all the more perplexing.