Baker’s LGBTQ record ...

In his May 2 column, Joe Battenfeld completely misses the mark. Charlie Baker might have an opponent with extreme views on LGBTQ+ rights but that doesn’t make him more appealing to the LGBTQ+ community or to Democrats who support equality. In fact, Baker has a long history of claiming support for the community and then campaigning for candidates with disturbing records on LGBTQ+ rights.

Baker ally and GOP candidate for treasurer Keiko Orrall voted against transgender rights as a state representative in 2016, but now as a candidate for statewide office she is “undecided” about how she will vote on the ballot question in 2018. Democrats aren’t “undecided” on how they will vote in November.

Candidates like Jacob Ventura, who would have voted for a ban on marriage equality, and Sen. Dean Tran, who referred to the Transgender Anti-Discrimination law as an “identity crisis law,” have both received support from Charlie Baker. Baker’s anti-LGBTQ+ activism isn’t just here in Massachusetts. Baker has raised $2.2 million for the RNC, which went to candidates like Mike Pence, who has a long history of advocating against the LGBTQ+ community.

And let’s not forget about our current Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito, a key leader in the attempt to ban marriage equality after the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court ruled a ban unconstitutional.

Democrats have been the real leaders on LGBTQ+ rights. It’s time for real leadership, not more sleight of hand trickery and deliberate deception. Charlie Baker shows phony leadership when it comes to LGBTQ+ equality and instead of deserving a second term in the Corner Office he should be shown the door. — Jeremy Comeau, Bay State Stonewall Democrats co-chair, Boston