Connecticut Republicans Stefanowski, Klarides offer Gay Pride Month tweets, generate backlash

The two convention-endorsed Republican candidates for the U.S. Senate and governor joined the June 1 rainbow wave with tweets marking the start of Pride Month.

But the tweets by Themis Klarides and Bob Stefanowski were immediately blasted by Twitter commenters who alternately charged the Republicans with virtue signaling and being the same as Democrats.

A supporter of gay rights for nearly 25 years, Klarides said in an interview that she would not be deterred by detractors who condemned her tweet.

“Here in Connecticut, we have so much to be proud of — but there is still work to be done to ensure ALL of us are equal,’' Klarides wrote. “Let’s take this month to reflect on the great contributions LGBTQ+ Americans have given to this country.”

Those comments were rejected online by some who questioned whether Americans are unequal.

“Where is the inequality (de facto or de jure)?” one commenter asked. “Let’s point it out so that we can discuss and fight it together if needed. Otherwise, please stop your virtue-signaling. Frankly, it is embarrassing.’'

Another wrote, “I’m not against the LGBT community, but they definitely cause big problems in our society. This is the slippery slope we were warned about.”

Across the country, Republicans in several states have taken aim at protections for gay and transgender people as part of a larger culture war that has followed critical race theory as the next hot topic for conservatives. It remains to be seen whether the issue that has energized conservatives in other parts of the country will impact elections in Connecticut.

Regardless, Klarides has been a longtime supporter of gay rights. During her 22-year career in the state legislature that started in January 1999, Klarides stepped forward on issues such as gay adoption, civil unions dating back to 2005, and gay marriage. As a socially moderate Republican, she has received some blowback from conservatives.

“There’s always people who are going to comment — they’re not always going to be positive comments,” Klarides said in an interview. “That’s the nature of social media. For me, I’ve been very involved with LGBT rights my entire career, and I will continue to do so.”

She supports improvements in the parentage act that make it easier for same-sex parents to work in the adoption and probate systems.

“There’s still a lot of wrong-headed attitudes out there,” Klarides said. “We should be encouraging people to live their true selves and live their lives the way they want to live them. That’s what I meant that there’s still more to do. ... Everybody should be treated like everyone else, regardless of whether you’re gay, whether you’re transgender.”

Klarides won the convention endorsement of the Republican Party last month with 59% of the vote. She is competing in a primary on Aug. 9 against two conservatives, Greenwich fundraiser Leora Levy and Fairfield immigration attorney Peter Lumaj. Levy and Lumaj both tweeted recently about Memorial Day but not Pride Month. The winner of the primary will run in the general election against U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal of Greenwich.

Klarides has about 7,400 followers on Twitter, compared to nearly 8,700 for Stefanowski, more than 90,000 for Gov. Ned Lamont and more than 727,000 for Blumenthal.

In the same way as Klarides, Stefanowski posted a rainbow flag celebrating Pride Month.

“Connecticut has been a leader for LGBTQ+ rights,” Stefanowski wrote. “It’s a proud part of our state history which we get to celebrate, especially during #PrideMonth.”

But some voters who supported Stefanowski say they are now having second thoughts.

“Big mistake @bobforgovernor,” one wrote. “Going woke will NOT get you elected! You had my family’s vote till you did this stunt!!”

The same commenter also posted a picture of President Joe Biden, a Democrat, and described him as “Bob’s best friend.”

Another wrote, “Let the pandering to the left continue. Please detail what rights the LBG do not have, BOB.”

Another wrote, “Know your base. Wake up and read the comments to your tweet, Bob.”

A commenter said, “I can’t support Bob anymore. He’s just another RINO. Connecticut needs an actual conservative for governor.”

Another tweeter showed a picture of Trump holding a gun and described Stefanowski as a RINO, a dismissive term for Republican In Name Only.

Another opponent wrote, “The fatal flaw with this Tweet is not that Bob so exuberantly shows his support for LGBTQ+ rights ... but that Bob has NOT Tweeted an equivalently exuberant Tweet for Parental Rights or Municipal Rights ... two KEY issues Republicans have run on and won with in other States.”

The same tweeter added, “Bob appears to be running an “I don’t want to lose” campaign ... NOT an “I want to win” campaign. Huge difference in mindset ... and his base can smell it.”

Stefanowski supporters downplayed the issue, saying it is often difficult to determine the true identities of Twitter commenters who operate under various names. At the same time, some were complimentary of Stefanowski, noting that Democrats have a large advantage in voter registration in a state where Republicans have not won the governorship or any Congressional race since 2006.

“You’re legitimately a moron if you’re upset at a Republican candidate for governor in a deep blue state tweeting this,” said one.

Eli Brennan wrote, “I dunk on ol’ Bob a heck of a lot but ya gotta give credit where it’s due. I imagine there’s a lot of pressure from the party to attack LGBTQ+ folks and Bob is at least acknowledging the celebration of pride month. It’s a very low bar, but at least he passed it.”

Senate Republican leader Kevin Kelly of Stratford declined to comment on the Twitter responders but called for tolerance.

“I attended a Pride rally in the town of Stratford because our democracy is about inclusion and diversity,” Kelly said in an interview. “Our American flag does not discriminate, and so from that perspective, we’re a community that needs to be tolerant and accepting of all voices, all perspectives, and all walks of life. That’s where we are. That’s the way I was brought up.”

Christopher Keating can be reached at ckeating@courant.com.