Chelsea Clinton on Wednesday criticized
Republicans for ratifying a party platform opposed to LGBT rights.
Gathering last week in Cleveland,
Republicans approved a platform that calls for the undermining or
reversal of the Supreme Court's 2015 ruling that led to nationwide
marriage equality and supports so-called conversion therapy to minors
and state laws that restrict transgender bathroom use.
“I think what I found most offensive
really has to be, as a mom, the open embrace of conversion therapy in
the Republican Party platform,” Chelsea told a group of LGBT
activists gathered at the DNC in Philadelphia. “In other words,
child abuse.”
Such therapies attempt to alter the
sexual orientation or gender identity of gay, bisexual or transgender
people and have been banned in several states, including New York,
California and New Jersey.
Clinton's remarks came just two days
after Democrats ratified the most LGBT-inclusive platform in the
party's history.
(Related: Democrats
ratify party's most LGBT-inclusive platform.)
Clinton called this year's election the
most important in her lifetime.
“I will do everything I can between
now and November to ensure that as many people I can reach know
what’s really at stake in this election, and how my mom is fighting
for, and how she has fought for, a better life in stark contrast to
what Trump and Pence are proposing,” Clinton said. “And I hope
that all of you will continue to be part of this effort.”