Rick Perry: The Facts

The Facts

• Described homosexuality as a lifestyle choice, likening it to alcoholism. (Source)
• Serves on the Board of Directors of Energy Transfer Partners, the company behind the Dakota Access Pipeline. (Source)
• Criticised the Supreme Court for declaring Texas’ anti-sodomy laws unconstitutional. (Source)
• Opposed the Boy Scouts of America’s decision to admit gay members, (Source) and deemed the organization “better off” without gay leaders. (Source)
• Supports the use of waterboarding and other ‘enhanced interrogation techniques’. (Source)
• Criticised after it emerged that his family lodge was called “N***erhead”. (Source)
• Championed legislation requiring those seeking welfare and unemployment benefits to submit to drugs tests. (Source)
• Supports the decriminalization of marijuana and the creation of specialized drug courts. (Source)

Actions

• Supported a constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage and civil partnerships in Texas (Source), and supports a nationwide same-sex marriage ban. (Source)
• Signed 17 bills restricting reproductive freedom into law, including a bill requiring young women to receive parental consent for abortions, even if they come from abusive, neglectful, or violent homes. (Source)
• Signed a Voter ID law found by the courts to be discriminatory, (Source) and vetoed legislation that would make it easier for former inmates to register to vote. (Source)
• Supported and helped pass the first DREAM act in the country, extending in-state tuition rates to young undocumented immigrants. (Source)
• Called a special session of the state legislature to pass a bill restricting access to abortion after it was blocked by State Senator Wendy Davis’s filibuster. (Source)
• Vetoed a bill aimed at eliminating wage discrimination against women. (Source)
• Supports capital punishment (Source) and vetoed a bill banning the execution of the mentally retarded. (Source)
• Consistently opposed efforts to remove Confederate symbols from state buildings and hosted a benefit for the Sons of Confederate Veterans in 2005. (Source)